Marrakech

Ancient city in hospitality overdrive

Entertaining visitors is nothing new in Marrakech, Morocco's southern capital and northern hub of ancient Saharan trade routes. It's always been a place where travellers could kick back, recharge, find some amusement in the Jemaa El Fna and do a bit of haggling in the souks. But in the last decade the Red City has gone into hospitality overdrive, with the Medina refurbished as hundreds of grand old houses have been converted into boutique 'riad' hotels.