Nearest Airport
: Marrakech- Menara
at 5
Kilometres
Nearest Train
: Marrakech
at 1
Kilometres
Nearest Motorway
: Marrakech
at 5
Kilometres
Nearest Beach
: Essaouira
at 120
Kilometres
Nearest Barpub
: La Cafe Arabe
at 0.5
Kilometres
Nearest Ski
: Oukiameden
at 70
Kilometres
Nearest Golf
: The Palmerie Golf Palace
at 6.5
Kilometres
Nearest Restaurant
: Les Riads des Mers
at 300
Metres
Car: not necessary
Riad Merstane, at the end of a narrow 'derb' or cul de sac, is in a traditional area in the northern medina. It is a few minutes from the bustling local square of Bab Taghzoute where cars can be parked & there is a convenient taxi rank and many local shops. It is an easy 10 minutes walk to the 'souks' & sights such as the Ben Yousef Medersa & Museum of Marrakech & through them to the legendary Jma' El Fna' square, the heart of the great urban theatre of Marrakech.
In contrast, the European 'New town' has pavement cafes, bars & stylish shops & the 'Palmerie' is pleasant for a stroll with several golf courses, camel rides & other sporting opportunities. Further afield are the High Atlas Mountains-the Ourika Valley, Ouigane gorges, waterfalls at Ouzoud or Djbel Toubkal for trekking- or over the mountains to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert. Closer is 'Le Barrage' a large lake with swimming and sports facilities & the breezy enchanting beach resort of Essaouira is 2.5hrs by road
Other Activities: Shopping in the souks and visiting museums and old palaces. Also spas and hammans as well as restaurants
Golf: Marrakech has some excellent golf courses with 3 nearby - about 15 minutes car drive - in the Palmerie. The Golf d'Amelkis Club hosts the Moroccan open championships in April and has an ultra modern championship course, while the Golf Palmerie Palace Club has probably the best course in the region with very well maintained holes. The hotal also has horse and camel riding, Quad biking, tennis and swimming. The Royal Golf Club is the oldest with a real sense of tradition and stunning High Atlas Mt views.Handicap certificates are not required. There are also many new courses etc under construction.
Ski: Oukiameden at 2650metres high in the High Atlas Mts and about 70 km from Marrakech has several lifts and runs, with an impressive black run but snow can be unreliable and it is generally unsophisticated. However ski touring can be arranged from Imlil just below Mt Toubkal using a mule and a refuge at 3500 metres - with trekking around 7 peaks and untouched powder .
