How a mid-summer holiday to Marrakech proved the perfect family break

“Marrakech in mid-summer?” people would ask incredulously. “Are you mad? It will be boiling!” But never ones to follow the rules, we packed our bags and headed to the Hotel Deux Tours, a hotel we had our hearts set on after endless recommendations from friends.

Situated in the Palmeraie area of the city, the hotel’s lush surroundings were a welcome escape from the bustle of the city beyond. We are welcomed with mint tea and sweet treats, and from there on in, we enjoy the most relaxing week possible with three small children in tow.

The beautiful hotel grounds are home to traditional style villas, with 37 rooms in total including seven pool suites. We weren’t quite brave enough to choose one of these with Willow, our completely fearless 18-month old on the loose, but we were thrilled with the set up of our Riad-style accommodation, complete with two separate rooms for the children surrounding a private courtyard in the middle. It meant the children had somewhere to play, which was completely safe and contained. The hotel also provides, cots, sterilisers, high chairs and even babysitters should you want.

Each day we would head for breakfast on the restaurant terrace. The buffet was delicious, and the children would play happily with the hotel cats, or visit the resident donkeys. The hotel also has peacocks, fish, turtles and frogs, which kept the little ones happy for hours.

We would then head to the stunning heated pool, where there were lots of other young families, with all the children becoming firm friends as the week progressed. We would all retreat inside for a mid afternoon siesta when it was at its hottest – but even then the children were completely unfazed and the icy air con inside was always on.

Late afternoons were spent by the pool again where we would feed the baby early, let her have one last run around whilst we enjoyed a pre-dinner G&T then pop her into bed, and enjoy a relaxed, delicious dinner on the terrace with the older two children, Jago, 7 and Georgia, 4. They would play with their many new friends post-dinner, we would chat and relax and all be asleep by 10. It was the most rest we have had in ages.

One day, feeling a little adventurous we took the children into the Souk – we bought them all a little something (and myself some very nice baskets). They were blown away by the sights and smells and despite the fact we ended up carrying all three of them for much of it, it was an experience they and we will never forget.

We found a fantastic restaurant called Nomad, overlooking the rooftops of the Souk to the city beyond. The food was delicious and the staff delightful. But this little adventure aside, we really felt no need whatsoever to venture further than the beautiful grounds of the hotel, which offered all we could possibly want for the week.

Room prices from £160 for a classic room including breakfast. Use the code LITTLELONDON to book Hotel Deux Tours during low season dates from 18/11/19 – 19/12/19, 05/01/20 – 06/02/20, 01/07/20 – 31/08/20 les-deux-tours.com