Recently in Morocco Category

Casablanca is one of the most fascinating cities in the Middle East, with inspiring sights that surpass its already exotic image. If you've ever thought of visiting it, here's your chance. The Sheraton Casablanca Hotel & Towers is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends. Just think, within days you could be visiting the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco, walking the meandering streets of the Old Medina, or seeing what life was like for the former rulers at the Royal Palace of Casablanca. You can easy knowing you're staying in one of the city's most comfortable hotels. With 286 guest rooms appointed with all the latest amenities, a beautiful outdoor pool, and no fewer than six bars and restaurants, you'll find plenty to explore without leaving the building. After a day of sightseeing, unwind with your special someone at Caesar's, an in-house nightclub with cocktails and dancing until 3:00 in the morning. It's a fine way to create some Casablanca memories of your own. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list for the latest deals.

One of the safest places to visit in Africa is Morocco. It's an exotic destination; the former stomping grounds of William Burroughs and many a 1960s hippie is also an easy place to get around for any French or Arabic speaker. One of Marrakech's most opulent hotels is the Le Meridien N'Fis, a 277 room hotel with some of the country's finest accomodations. The BBC recently put together a Marrakech day guide that takes in many of the traditional sites and many of the not-so-traditional sites:

Down on the main square, life carries on as it has for centuries though. The square is in the heart of the medina and over the years it's been a place of execution, riots and most famously, the Djemaa el-fna, which means, Assembly of the Dead, a street festival that's held there every day. Locals who come to the souks to shop then spend time in the square, watching the snake charmers or visiting the fortune tellers.

As travellers become bolder and more adventurous, countries that were once off the beaten path can suddenly become firmly on said path. Morocco is welcoming more and more visitors every year, and now they're not all bohemians. Of course, people become worried that a place like Morocco will lose its native charm, but as this NY Times article points out, locals make sure everything happens at their pace, on their schedule. The travellers' route includes cities like Casablanca and Marrakech - naturally, there are Starwood properties in those places. Casablanca has Le Royal Mansour Meridien and Sheraton Casablanca Hotel & Towers, while Le Meridein N'Fis is in Marrakech. Starwood is adding a fourth property in Morocco later this year with the L'Amphitrite Palace in Skhirat.