Riad Chi-Chi

Activities

• Marrakech's souks won't have escaped your notice: they're all around, from 2 to 20 minutes' walk away, and sell everything from spices to hand-carved furniture - so, depending on your stamina, allow a day or 3 to pick out and haggle for the best bargains
  
  
• Even closer - barely a minute away - are the Musée de Marrakech and Medersa Ben Youssef, the former a 19th-century Mnebbi palace given over to art exhibitions and cultural activities, the latter a stunningly intricate 16th-century Koranic school reminiscent of Andalucian Moorish palaces in its stuccoed facades and geometric patterns
  
  
• Join in the madness of the central square, Djemaa el Fna (10-15 minutes' walk away), where storytellers, tooth-pullers, tribal drummers, orange juicers and merguez grillers compete for your attention
  
  
• Swallow your traveller's pride and book a ride in a caleche (horse-drawn carriage) around the medina's pink city walls at sunset; or you can hire bikes and do it yourself if you prefer
  
  
• For a break from the crowds, head to the shady Jardin Majorelle, tropical gardens in the new town lovingly restored by Yves St Laurent
  
  
• Top up your tan on the riad's roof terrace - there are sun loungers and a canopied sit-out area. Or soothe away post-souk stress with an in-room massage
  
  
• Head down to the riad's kitchen for a cooking class with the chef (book in advance). You'll learn how to make tagines and other traditional dishes
  
  
• Staff can help arrange any of the other activities on offer in and around Marrakech: golf (3 courses in the palmeraie), horse-riding (several stables in the palmeraie), balloon trips (a short drive outside the city), trekking in the Atlas Mountains (day trips are possible, but for a proper taste you'll want to overnight), water sports on Lake Lalla Takerkoust (40km away), even skiing in winter (at Oukaimeden, 70km away)