Max has a strong commitment to local communities (he is an Arabic speaker who has lived in Morocco for 12 years).
MARCH 01 2012
SOPHY ROBERTS
In the 1980s, Chris Lawrence produced numerous fashion shoots in locations from Hawaii to Marrakech for the likes of Bruce Weber, Peter Lindbergh and Herb Ritts. He also established Best of Morocco, a UK-based tour operator. When he sold the company in 2005, Morocco lost a true one-off.
Now Max Lawrence – the former designer-owner of the popular Tigmi Tagadert hotel, 20 minutes outside Marrakech – has taken up his father’s mantle (with Chris as consultant) in a new specialist tour operation, Lawrence of Morocco (www.lawrenceofmorocco.com). Like Chris, Max has a strong commitment to local communities (he is an Arabic speaker who has lived in Morocco for 12 years). Itineraries include exploring the south of the country by light aircraft, stargazing from a new desert observatory hotel, Sahara Sky (www.saharasky.com), trekking in the Atlas mountains and surfing in Oualidia (second picture).
This makes a change from the obvious luxuries of Marrakech, which is now at a tipping point, so conspicuous is the presence of the five-star mega-brands, which, in April, will include the new Taj Palmeraie (www.tajhotels.com; first picture; from $700), 15 minutes outside the city walls. Taj will be going head-to-head with the recently arrived Four Seasons Marrakech (www.fourseasons.com/marrakech; from €369) – the gardens need to develop to give this hotel some much-needed spirit.
We liked returning to the peace after the bustle of the Medina.
We had a lovely few days. Thank you. The Dar Ayniwen was very welcoming, particularly as we were given the top floor rooms with our own lovely sitting room.
Aziz the manager must be worth his wait in gold to the owners he was so charming, he could not have been more helpful never wilthout a smile and seemingly genuine …
Carline Donald, travelled to Marrakech with Lawrence of Morocco in March 2014.
We really know Morocco and have had the pleasure of making many people's dream trips become reality over the years. It has been our privilege to be asked to manage holidays, weddings and productions for so many fantastic and discerning clients. We remain small and dedicated to providing excellent honest advice to enable you to sit back, relax and enjoy the fun bits without having to manage the unpredictability of this fascinating country.
If you want it done right, look no further!
