HOLLY STONE gets 'Carried' away in Marrakech, Morocco

WHY SHOULD I GO?
Fancy sipping cocktails, riding camels in the desert, and shopping in the souks like our favourite New York quartet in the second instalment of Sex And The City? Then pack your Manolos and Chanel sunnies and jet off to Marrakech, Morocco.

Even though the film sees Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte on an all-expenses jolly to Abu Dhabi, these scenes were actually shot in and around the Moroccan city. Set against the  backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is a potent mix of mystique, colour and smells. And at its heart is the terracotta-hued Medina, the labyrinthine bazaar of the walled Old Town, also home to riads (townhouses), several of which are now stylish hotels. There is also a vibrant nightlife, brimming with rooftop lounge bars and brand-name clubs – Nikki Beach and Pacha – as well as swanky boutiques in Gueliz, the New Town.

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Less than three hours flying time from the UK, it’s the perfect destination for a girlie getaway. Just remember to bring an extra suitcase for all your souvenirs!

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
Handily for a shopaholic like us, OK!’s hotel was right in the centre of the frenetic hustle and bustle of the Medina. But you leave that all behind as you pass through the vast wooden doors of Riad El Fenn, for our boho-chic bolthole was an oasis of calm and beauty.

Owned by Vanessa Branson (brother of Richard whose own retreat, Kasbah Tamadot, is outside the city), the 21 all-suite accommodation actually comprises several interconnected riads interspersed with courtyards, fountains and intimate nooks and crannies. Vanessa’s eclectic art collection adorns the walls, while the bedrooms feature fireplaces, marble bath tubs and scented candles. OK! liked the little touches such as the Moroccan slippers left by the bed, tasselled robes hanging up on the wall, and the fresh coffee and fruit left outside our room pre-breakfast!
After a hard day’s sightseeing you can unwind with a massage in the spa or an exfoliation and clay wrap in the traditional hammam. Or take a dip in one of the three pools, watch a film in the private cinema, or play on the mini putting green.

The hearty homemade porridge, yoghurts and Moroccan pancakes set us up for the day, plus every afternoon tea is served in the main court-yard, where we noticed little tortoises wondering by our feet! And a candlelit dinner of grilled spicy dourade fish with broad beans, and granita coffee and chocolate ice cream on the rooftop terrace was delicious.

WHERE CAN I SHOP?
Although the maze of souks can seem a bit daunting at first, if you want some beautiful buys this should be your first stop. And to get the most out of the experience and to avoid getting lost, we signed up with a local guide (arranged by HipMarrakech) who showed us the best places (and gave us tips on haggling!) to buy embellished bags and shoes, kaftans, and tajines (cooking pots). We then headed to the central Djemaa el Fna square, admiring the stunning jewels and dress pieces at Driss Bijoux and exquisite rugs at Aux Merveilles en route.

The best way to take in the sights is from above, so OK! took a perch on the roof terrace at Café Argana, across from the Koutoubia Mosque, and sipped freshly squeezed orange juice.

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As the sun sets the square turns into a swirling hive of activity, as seen recently on Jamie Oliver’s TV series. From makeshift barbecue stalls, vendors sell everything imaginable – kebabs and steamed snails – while snake charmers, acrobats and performing monkeys vie for attention.

WHERE CAN I EAT?
After hearing that Kim Cattrall dined at Le Foundouk, we felt it was our duty to sample the French/Moroccan cuisine for ourselves. Travelling through the medina’s back streets, we wondered if our taxi had got lost as we pulled up next to a donkey cart. But as we stepped out, a man dressed in red robes greeted us and took us a few minutes up the road to this fashionable dining spot. At our table, looking out at the beautiful giant candelabra, we feasted on scrumptious chicken tajine and pistachio crème brûlée with bittersweet chocolate mousse. Thoroughly impressed, we then headed up to the roof garden and dining area, and relaxed on a large sofa surrounded by twinkling lanterns.

Nearby is another popular restaurant, Le Tanjia, featuring fine Moroccan cuisine and a roof terrace offering panoramic city views. It was here that the SATC2 cast and crew held their official opening party, while the closing bash was at the trendy L’Avenue in the Gueliz area.

WHAT STARS MIGHT I SEE?
A-listers including Gwen Stefani, Sacha Baron Cohen and Annie Lennox have all stayed at Riad El Fenn. While the SATC girls were in town, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis checked into the Amanjena resort, Cynthia Nixon stayed at the Es Saadi, while Sarah Jessica Parker holed up at La Mamounia – Orlando Bloom, Jennifer Aniston and Salma Hayek were just some of the stars at this hotel’s grand reopening last year. Scenes for Jake Gyllenhaal’s latest movie Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time were also shot in Marrakech.

WHERE CAN I PARTY?
The Moroccan outpost of the hip global beach club Nikki Beach (www.nikkibeach.com) is located in the upmarket suburb of the Palmeraie. While there may not actually be a beach, there’s a palm-fringed pool with swim-up bar, stylish lounge beds and ambient DJ sounds. After donning our bikini, OK! enjoyed champagne and strawberries under a large white umbrella, before  nibbling our way through sushi, lobster salad and a yummy ice cream and biscuit dessert for lunch. In SATC2, you’ll see the girls sipping cocktails and champagne in the sun as they check out the hunky men lounging nearby.

Back in the city, listen to Fez-wearing musicians and take in a belly dancing show at the hip nightspot Le Comptoir. Or if you want to step things up a gear, head to Theatro, a revamped old theatre,  at the Es Saadi hotel. You can watch all the fun from four-poster beds that surround the stage, while the staff seem to enjoy themselves – dancing, jumping and concocting cocktails – just as much as the punters!

If you’re all clubbed out, you’ll love the laid-back vibe at the Bab Hotel. Go straight on up to the new Sky Bar, where you can chill out on a comfy day bed and have a girlie chit-chat over a ‘red cocktail’.

HOW DO I GET THERE?
Riad El Fenn can be booked through HipMarrakech (www.hipmarrakech.com), or by visiting www.hipmorocco.com, who can tailor-make itineraries, book places to eat and drink, arrange shopping tours (similar to OK!’s with Catherine Powell), as well as excursions outside the city. Or you can book Riad El Fenn direct by logging onto www.riadelfenn.com. A double room costs from £230 per night based on two sharing, including breakfast, afternoon tea and return airport transfers. Fly to Marrakech with Royal Air Maroc from Heathrow, Atlas Blue from Gatwick, easyJet from Gatwick and Manchester, and Ryanair from Bristol, Luton and East Midlands.