Our Family Adventure at Club Med Marrakech in Morocco

Ashley Sundquist
Jul 18
5 min read

Updated: Jul 30

For years, I’ve dreamed of walking through the bustling souks of Morocco and tasty eating cous cous in a tagine with my husband, Josh. The only difference between those dreams and our recent reality? This time, we had a very special and very small travel companion: our 8-month-old son, on his very first international adventure! The 21 hour journey from Los Angeles was, shall we say, a challenging one. What felt like countless sleepless hours in the air, punctuated by a quick layover in London, finally delivered us to the sun-drenched city of Marrakech.

Often called the "Red City" due to its distinctive sandstone walls and buildings, Marrakech is one of Morocco's four imperial cities, steeped in history and vibrant culture. It's nestled near the majestic Atlas Mountains, about 50 miles north of Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak. Exhausted but relieved, we made our way to our home away from home: the utterly gorgeous Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie property.

Welcome to The Riad at Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie in Morocco!

Upon arrival, we were blown away by the exemplary team at Club Med Marrakech where we stayed in the luxurious accommodations of The Riad for 7 nights during the holiday season. From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in legendary hospitality. From the orange blossom cookies and tea service to the warm smiles of The Riad's "maestro" Abder...the resort is beautifully designed, reflecting Moroccan craftsmanship. Abder is one of the best dressed and most accommodating concierge we have ever had the pleasure of meeting! It was always a pleasure to have a conversation with him as he is extremely knowledgable on the property and local surroundings. Our room at The Riad became a cozy sanctuary for naps and quiet moments, a welcome retreat after our long journey. The security at the resort is top-notch and tourists will feel very safe here. It's not walkable to any sights, but there's a free shuttle to the Jemaa el-Fnaa.

Our accommodations in The Riad were spacious and comfortable for our family, with special considerations for our infant son. I requested a changing pad and mobile crib, which were already in our room upon arrival. Set in luxuriant gardens dotted with fountains, I can’t imagine staying anywhere else. Our room itself was a haven, complete with a private terrace – perfect for enjoying the peaceful grounds. We enjoyed the daily h'ors devours, live music, library and other special aspects of The Riad.

I'll forever treasure the many months I could hold our sweet son close to me in my carrier - particularly on beautiful nights like this in Marrakech!

We decided to stay at this particular Club Med for their world-famous childcare...and we're so glad we did. Our son absolutely loved his Mini Med experience and we were thrilled by the loving kindness of the team led by Faty and Elena. All of our son's caregivers, including Zak, Karim, Sou Sou, Hoda, Nell and more...made us feel right at home right away. They put us at ease with their friendliness, bubbly spirits and genuine care of our sweet baby. For parents of a little one, this was a game-changer! The availability of their compassionate childcare meant we could actually, ya know…relax. Knowing our son was in such capable and caring hands allowed us to breathe deeply and enjoy some much-needed "us" time. There were children at Mini Med from around the world and the international staff spoke at least 6 languages - I loved this compassionate cultural immersion for our best guy!

My favorite part of the Club Med experience was the Circus where I took several trapeze classes for the very first time - something I never thought I'd do with an 8-month-old at home! Hicham and Benjamin were amazing teachers. Their encouragement and patience made me feel like I could fly - and I did! Another highlight were my Body Pump and RPM classes with Abdo and Lea. Their sense of humor and ability to challenge me during classes were much appreciated and I liked sticking with my routine while on vacation. The resort offers a vast array of activities, from golf and archery to tennis and various fitness programs. The evening circus entertainment is so much fun and I highly recommend staying up late to enjoy it with your loved ones of all ages!

Flying on the trapeze at Club Med was truly a highlight of my life. I felt so strong, confident and creatively inspired thanks to the careful and caring circus team.

Flying through the air at Club Med Marrakech was such a thrill - I can't wait to do it again!

The buffet-style meals were another highlight, offering a delicious array of international cuisine at La Palmeraie, the main restaurant. They even have a Moroccan-themed restaurant, El Kebir, set under a tent among olive trees. What made the dining experience truly unique was the way the staff mingled with guests during mealtimes. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the local culture, perhaps even pick up a few words of Arabic or French – the two main languages spoken in Marrakech alongside Amazigh (Berber). You'll stay hydrated with unlimited tea, coffee and sodas.

The Club Med Marrakech grounds are extremely walkable and safe at nighttime, so you can easily find dinner, a beautiful view or a world-class activity in a matter of minutes!

While we didn't get to fully enjoy the multiple pools (including a family pool with water jets and slides, and a more secluded adult pool) due to the cooler weather, the resort ambiance is incredibly active. Tennis! Archery! Cycling! Fitness Classes! It was so much fun to do it all. There are Club Med staff throughout the property who can help you figure out what you want to do next...and they're just as fun, buoyant and encouraging as the camp counselors I had growing up!

While on-site, we loved simply exploring the sprawling, beautifully maintained grounds. There was something so calming about strolling through the gardens, and we even managed to climb to the top of the tower by the main pool for some panoramic views of the resort and surrounding palm grove. This property is nestled within Morocco's oldest palm grove, offering a serene and verdant sanctuary just minutes away from the bustling Medina, Marrakech's historic walled city and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.

Despite the desert environment surrounding Club Med, the grounds have gorgeous vegetation!

We are forever grateful for the Club Med Marrakech's hospitality on our son's first international adventure!

Even though we departed before sunrise, Abder said farewell with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a small toy for our son. We couldn't have felt more special throughout this major milestone for our family. Taking our 8-month-old on his first international journey felt like a leap of faith, but thanks to the incredible experience onsite with Abder and his team, it was an adventure we'll cherish forever. All in all, Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie is a fantastic environment for a family-friendly vacation. And it's the people who work here who make it shine. This will definitely not be our only Club Med experience! Morocco, you were everything we dreamed of and more, especially with our beloved tiny traveler in tow.