Why Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie Should Be Your Next Vacay Destination

Up until a couple of months ago, I had never been on an all-inclusive vacation; I tended to associate the idea with spring break and foam parties. Little did I know that all-inclusives could be not only refined, relaxing and chic but also quite the culturally immersive experience. Well, if you book a vacation with Club Med, that is.

Founded in 1950 by Gérard Blitz, Club Med actually pioneered the concept, opening the world’s first all-inclusive resort in Mallorca, Spain, almost 75 years ago. Today, the brand operates more than 70 resorts in over 40 countries around the world. And it is still growing — rapidly — with three to five resorts opened or renovated each year. Despite Club Med’s vast reach, each resort is unique and stands out from its sister properties.

Which brings us to Marrakech — often referred to as the Red City — in Morocco. Upon arriving at Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie, a 15-minute drive from the Medina (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a historic part of the city that houses fountains, palaces, mosques and more), I’m greeted by a lush, serene haven surrounded by palm and olive trees and the refreshing scent of orange blossom.

My two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is in the new Family Oasis section of the resort. Built just this past April, the extension features 66 rooms that are well suited for families, especially those with young children.

“It was inspired by Ksars,” explains Jean Hertfelder, Club Med’s marketing and communications director in Canada. Ksars are fortified villages typically consisting of a square area enclosed by walls.

“The rooms in the extension were designed by architect Laurent Maugoust,” he says. “All of them were inspired by the Moroccan decorative universe — characterized by zellige [a traditional Moroccan decorative tile] and contrasting colours such as Majorelle blue [an intense shade of deep blue created by painter Jacques Majorelle when he constructed the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech in the early 20th century] and green reminiscent of the gardens of the Palmeraie.”

Indeed, there’s no shortage of Instagram-worthy snaps to be taken at the resort. “Set just a stone’s throw from the city of Marrakech, the resort is the perfect location for you and your family to enjoy a unique and timeless experience,” says Hertfelder. “And when you’re ready to get out and explore, our excursions will take you beyond the gates of the Red City to discover the landscapes of Morocco.”

Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie features two restaurants, a spa, multiple swimming pools, a kids playground and splash pad, nightly entertainment, archery, golf and cooking classes, plenty of excursion options (such as guided tours, camel rides and desert visits) and daily fitness classes as well as on-site childcare offerings — the only thing that’s out of the question is boredom.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s November 2024 issue. Find out more here.