If you have time, make sure you head to the coast and Essaouira for a couple of days. I was a little “souked out” and a little tired of being hounded by people wanting to be my guide or else trying to get me into their stores, so I headed west. I booked a room at the well-known Villa Maroc where they arranged a driver for the 3 hour drive from Marrakesh. This port city, known before as Mogador, is very attractive with buildings painted white and blue and having a thriving fishing harbor. I felt so comfortable walking along the docks and the waterfront and exploring the narrow streets with wonderful art galleries and shops. The Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Villa Maroc was really outstanding and one of my favorite hotel anywhere. It is a small boutique hotel, painted white, with blue trim and balconies. Centered around a courtyard, the rooms are nice, furnished with Moroccan handicrafts with some having fireplaces. There is a wonderful breakfast and dinner is served indoors in small candle-lit rooms on the first floor. I highly recommend this wonderful spot.
You might try some of the seafood restaurants along the harbor; the fish could not be fresher.
Friends were just in town and highly recommend that my readers try Tara Café at 5 Rue Boutouil. They loved the tagines.
Essaouira is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival, in June, with artists from all over Morocco as well as internationally.