Feeling a bit blue and in need of R'n'R? Dr Dorothy* recommends the Fellah and feels more relaxed after 12 days here than 12 months of therapy ...
Want to chill / celebrate / enjoy a little culture? Yup, like champagne the Fellah fits all those needs too!
I've been coming to Marrakech forever, and yes it has become far too touristy for me, but I make an exception for the amazing Hotel Fellah which is only 20+ minutes' drive from the city, but towards the Atlas Mountains and feels like a world away. Countless places have claimed "X is the New Marrakech" but the Fellah is far better as, well ...
to me "Fellah is the Old Marrakech".
You really don't need to pack much - today's outfit is a Nili Lotan caftan and a Hoola bikini with two bottoms (for tan lines ...) - although pack jumpers for the evening as it gets chilly then ...
Okay, here's the deal. I stay here often and I really love the Fellah Hotel. It's the only place I know that manages to actually do all that culture and sustainable stuff, by helping the local village both through employment and through education as well as providing an amazing hotel experience for guests and having the Dar al Mamun library and cultural foundation with visiting artists, scholars and musicians.
Quick disclaimer, the Fellah Hotel did not sponsor this post, although they (as always) very kindly upgraded my room as a bigger one was available - I've seen them do the same for others, BTW too. So this was my suite's bath last time, and this time I have a similar one + the villa I'm in has a private pool.
At the moment it is sunny and you need sunblock, but even when it was more over-cast in December the place was still fun, with amazing views of the light changing over the Atlas Mountains as the sun set. There are cacti everywhere, and an old taxi and contemporary art which along with the more modern architecture make it feel like Prada Marfa meets a "club Med" for culture vultures ... people can ignore everything and chill or take boxing lessons with the charming Freddy or listen to the Senegalese musician on the Kora by the pool or learn to cook a tagine or chat with the fascinating artists working here or ... oh just doze on your terrace as I've been doing today.
I'm not going to put 1001 photos in this post as the Fellah's web site actually genuinely does reflect what this place is like: www.fellah-hotel.com
I know Small Luxury Hotels and Mr & Mrs Smith both often do deals if you book through them, or contact the hotel directly here ... the place is very quiet at the moment, and the perfect place to escape inclement weather and get a little R'n'R in the gentle sun.
One reason I'm plugging this place (unusually) before I leave is because the hotel sustains the village and foundation, neither of which can survive without the hotel's income. So if you do come, please do think of bringing books to leave as a gift for the library. If you're feeling generous, please do consider bringing some old clothes, particularly warm ones and particularly childrens' sizes, and donating them as ... well, it gets cold here, and they would be put to very good use.
NB - obviously Morocco is super-safe or I would not recommend it.
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Louise Leconte Shield Bags
* please not that whilst I can legally call myself a Medical Doctor in the UK, I am not a Registered Medical Practitioner and this is not actual medical advice!