Oriental dreams
Jan 15, 2024, 2:45 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Oriental dreams
This will be a short trip report about 4 nights in Marrakech. It had been on our list for a long time. We flew direct to Marrakech with Eurowings from Düsseldorf and stayed at the Amanjena.
Jan 15, 2024, 3:12 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Open Sky Lounge DUS
The day of our departure was quite cold by German standards at minus 6 degrees Celsius. As our flight left at 7 a.m., we had to set off early. After a walk through the cold (car park P7 was not the best idea) we arrived in the fairly quiet departure hall. The security check at the C gates was almost empty, as was passport control.
We then went to the Open Sky Lounge. The offer was slightly better than last time and relatively good when applying the appropriate low standards.
We then went to the Open Sky Lounge. The offer was slightly better than last time and relatively good when applying the appropriate low standards.
Jan 15, 2024, 3:16 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Getting Dirhams
At that time, I didn't have a single Moroccan dirham. My bank had offered me 4000 Dirhams for €450. The internet exchange rate was 0.092, which would have meant around €370. I declined. Just for fun, I asked at the exchange office at the airport, where 250 Dirhams would cost €37.50. Thank you.
I'll cash in advance: At the airport in Marrakech, I exchanged €100 for 1000 Dirhams and withdrew 2000 Dirhams with my credit card for €184.59 plus a €7.38 fee.
I'll cash in advance: At the airport in Marrakech, I exchanged €100 for 1000 Dirhams and withdrew 2000 Dirhams with my credit card for €184.59 plus a €7.38 fee.
Jan 16, 2024, 1:25 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum, FlyingBlue Gold, Hilton Gold, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 2,529
Will be an avid reader of this one, Ive a week in Marrakech in May so will be looking for inspiration as nowhere near starting planning that trip yet
Jan 16, 2024, 1:20 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Flight DUS - RAK
The first, not very positive surprise awaited us at the gate. It was a bus gate, which is the last thing you want in sub-zero temperatures.
The usual bag photos on board.
Then for de-icing.
The flight wasn't really full, the money for the free middle seat was wasted. However, the stewardess told us that the return flight was full.
Off into the sunrise
The landscape shows that we are approaching our destination!
When we arrived at the airport, it was a bit of a pain. Firstly, passport control was quite lengthy and then the passport was checked a second time. When we finally had our suitcases, we had to have them x-rayed again.
The usual bag photos on board.
Then for de-icing.
The flight wasn't really full, the money for the free middle seat was wasted. However, the stewardess told us that the return flight was full.
Off into the sunrise
The landscape shows that we are approaching our destination!
When we arrived at the airport, it was a bit of a pain. Firstly, passport control was quite lengthy and then the passport was checked a second time. When we finally had our suitcases, we had to have them x-rayed again.
Jan 16, 2024, 1:39 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum, FlyingBlue Gold, Hilton Gold, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 2,529
I love the sick bags 
Reminds me of virgin trains humour in the toilets... “Do not flush… broken dreams…”.
Purely out of curiosity, what was the charge to keep the middle seat free?
How long did it take to go from landing to landside?
Reminds me of virgin trains humour in the toilets... “Do not flush… broken dreams…”.Purely out of curiosity, what was the charge to keep the middle seat free?
How long did it take to go from landing to landside?
Jan 16, 2024, 2:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: Ż\_(ツ)_/Ż
Posts: 178
Jan 16, 2024, 2:45 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
The time it took from the plane to the car was, I estimate, 15 to 20 minutes. It was just a bit annoying.
Jan 16, 2024, 2:46 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Jan 16, 2024, 4:05 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Off to the Amanjena
A member of staff with an Amanjena sign was waiting for us at the exit, took our suitcases and took us to a V-Class.
We got our first impressions on the way. The bus doesn't seem to be the means of choice.
I had never seen a mobile petrol station before. It's fascinating that there are even 2 types of fuel.
And then we were finally there!
We got our first impressions on the way. The bus doesn't seem to be the means of choice.
I had never seen a mobile petrol station before. It's fascinating that there are even 2 types of fuel.
And then we were finally there!
Jan 17, 2024, 3:52 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Amanjena
When you arrive at the first gate of the Amanjena, you are in for a surprise.
I don't mean that the hotel is in the middle of nowhere, that should be relatively well known. No, even if you arrive in the hotel's own car, it is first checked for explosives with a mirror.
If you arrive by taxi, the boot is also checked. You are then allowed to drive on to a second gate, which is then opened. Only then do you reach the main entrance.
The usual reception committee including Sven Van Den Broeck was waiting for us.
I don't mean that the hotel is in the middle of nowhere, that should be relatively well known. No, even if you arrive in the hotel's own car, it is first checked for explosives with a mirror.
If you arrive by taxi, the boot is also checked. You are then allowed to drive on to a second gate, which is then opened. Only then do you reach the main entrance.
The usual reception committee including Sven Van Den Broeck was waiting for us.
Jan 18, 2024, 3:03 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Amanjena
The first thing you enter is the main house, where you first stand in a long colonnaded corridor.
The reception is in a room on the left, behind it there are 2 water basins in which rose petals always floated. Really very beautiful.
Then come 2 larger rooms. The striking spice counter is located in the right-hand room, with the main restaurant leading off from it (more on this later).
To the left was the other room where afternoon tea is served.
Behind it is a very nice bar, but we didn't have a drink there (we only discovered it shortly before we left).
All new arrivals are served tea and sweets here.
The outdoor area.
The reception is in a room on the left, behind it there are 2 water basins in which rose petals always floated. Really very beautiful.
Then come 2 larger rooms. The striking spice counter is located in the right-hand room, with the main restaurant leading off from it (more on this later).
To the left was the other room where afternoon tea is served.
Behind it is a very nice bar, but we didn't have a drink there (we only discovered it shortly before we left).
All new arrivals are served tea and sweets here.
The outdoor area.
Jan 19, 2024, 5:15 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Water is an important element in Amanjena. The large water basin is located directly behind the main house. It is based on a historic water basin that has been expanded.
There are also a number of water basins that give the Amanjena a very special atmosphere.
There is also lush vegetation.
Colonnades connect the individual areas around the main building.
There are also a number of water basins that give the Amanjena a very special atmosphere.
There is also lush vegetation.
Colonnades connect the individual areas around the main building.