GÉRALDINE SCHNEUWLY, HIGH-END HOTELS OWNER AND DESIGNER, IN MARRAKECH

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After spending eight years in Marrakech, the "red city" holds no more secrets for Geraldine Schneuwly. The former Parisian, an external auditor in another life; Geraldine has reinvented herself as a talented interior designer while decorating, along with her father, the 3 splendid hotels her family owns here: The Beldi Country Club, the Kasbah Beldi and the Liglesia d'El Jadida. 

"I'm in love with the diverse landscapes and outstanding craftsmanship Morocco offers. They are an unlimited source of inspiration for me," she confesses.

Her 3 children - Jules 15, Clara 13 and Paloma 7 - study at the Lycée Francais. Meanwhile, this unstoppable bargain hunter paces the streets of Marrakech to go meet the local merchants (who know her very well) and unearth new hand-crafted treasures... 

IN MARRAKECH WITH GÉRALDINE SCHNEUWLY 

A few words about Marrakech... With its disorder, unique colors, culinary traditions, famous bazaars, amazing craftsmen and old city mixed with modern neighborhoods, Marrakech is unquestionably unique...

You'll meet many kinds of people here, of any age and nationality... They all share the same love of the city and its sweetness of life.

Moroccans love children and are very friendly towards them. 

My advice for visiting the souks: instead of accessing them via the Jemaa El-Fna square where the "touts" may be a little too pressing, rather enter through Bab Ksour, in Dar el Bacha Street.

Eating out with the kids:

For lunch: within the Medina historical district, la Terrasse des Epices offers fresh and delicious dishes with a nice view of the streets and the souks; or La Famille, with its sleek decor, healthy food, and kid-friendly menu. If you want to escape the warm weather, head towards the Beldi Country Club for a pleasant lunch by the pool.

For dinner: teenagers love the Bo-Zin's trendy atmosphere. There's also The Dar Zellij, which is a bit more sophisticated, with a "One Thousand and One Nights" air. At sunset, take a walk on the Jemaa El-Fna Square: the dozens of illuminated stands and the bazaar are an unforgettable experience! Try any stand but be sure to avoid raw vegetables. Do not forget to show the children the "Snail Soup", beurk and snake charmers.

Snack Time: head towards Gueliz, Marrakech's hip district and choose between a delicious ice cream at Panna, freshly squeezed orange juice at Grand Café de la Poste, or a sweet treat at 16 Café.

Having fun with the kids: spend the afternoon at the Beldi Country Club with their swimming pools, huge garden, and kids' workshops.  

There are also some nice walks to do in Marrakech. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage from the Jemaa El-Fna Square, which goes around the ramparts; or take a camel ride on the road of the Palmeraie (worth negotiating the price!);                                                                                                                                                                      

A 30-minute drive from Marrakech, the Lalla Takerkoust Lake, situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, is also a must-see. The views from there are stunning.

Need some relaxation? Try the traditional Hammam with black soap and a masseuse who rubs you with a special glove. My teenagers are really fond of this!

C For Culture... There's no one particular museum in Marrakech but several places where I love to take my children: the Menara Garden, the Medersa Ben Youssef (a superb former Koranic school), very "Instagramable" according to my daughter and of course not to be missed, the Majorelle Garden with the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and its famous Majorelle Blue. On the way out, you will find a few shops/concept stores (for moms) with an interesting selection.

Shopping for kids: Leather shoes from Atika Marrakech. Nothing is better than walking through the bazaar and discovering lovely finds such as a pair of slippers, a key ring, leather bag, small boxes, a small turtle...

Stay with the kids: The Beldi Country Club, "nothing else better!"

There is also the Kasbah Beldi, a magnificent place at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just in front of the lake of Lalla Takerskoust. My kids spent their best weekends there. You can have a picnic under the olive trees; the little ones spend hours playing in the water feeding channels, while the older kids do a quad or mountain bike (to be booked in advance).

Other places, other atmospheres: the Scarabeo Camp in the Agafay stone desert is a candle-lit luxury camp with a 360-degree view of the snow-capped Atlas. An unforgettable experience!

Last but not least, the Bab Ourika Kasbah is located in the outstanding Ourika Valley in the High Atlas. You can stay over for a few days or just pop in for lunch and a little donkey ride in the nearby hills.

You can also rent a villa or a Riad. I recommend Villanovo.com.

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