It was an early start for our Smart Friends, we all met bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at Gatwick airport at 4am. Our guests were greeted with their coffee order and a personalised satin eye mask – to make that 3-hour morning flight a little more bearable. We breezed through security and before we knew it we were taking off, heading to the glorious rose city. Leaving the plane and stepping into the enchanting, warm embrace of Marrakesh made the early wake-up call worth it! Our Friends were whisked off to the stunning La Mamounia where they were greeted with traditional dates, Moroccan tea and of course a chilled glass of rosé, all set around the beautiful, glistening pool. For lunch, we dined at the extravagant Le Pavillon de la Piscine which featured a carving station, freshly sliced ceviche and a glorious dessert room – yum! The entire afternoon was dedicated to relaxation; some guests soaked up the sun by the pool, some went to explore the Souks and some even went for a snooze. 

Our gala dinner was set overlooking the breathtaking landscape of the Atlas Mountains. We would recommend anybody who goes to Marrakesh to visit The Oberoi, the experience was seamless. As we dined under the stars, we were treated to a spectacular fusion of Indian and Moroccan cuisine – a real treat for the palate. The evening was filled with entertainment including a solo acrobat act, a beautiful adagio performance, and a wonderful pianist on a grand piano. After dessert, the tempo picked up as some of our Friends got hold of the pianist’s microphone, it seems some in the industry have a hidden talent! Miss London Concierge and Eureka Events to name a couple…

As we are sure you are aware, upon leaving The Oberoi hotel an earthquake struck the centre of Marrakesh. The people of Marrakesh were incredible and when faced with such uncertainty themselves, continued to take care of us and our Friends.

It was a scary time for all involved, but as a group of like-minded event planners, we all pulled together, evaluated the situation, and made what we could of the trip, with much collaboration and consideration for the local community. We believe that our collective compassion and generosity can make a world of difference. Which is why we are asking that you join us in supporting the relief efforts led by the British Red Cross. Together, we can provide immediate aid and long-term assistance to those affected by this natural disaster. Here is the link should you wish to donate, Morocco Earthquake Appeal | British Red Cross.

The day began with everybody meeting around the glittering pool for a leisurely breakfast. The breakfast was an extravagant buffet which included Hermés pastries, exclusive to La Mamounia, the pistachio croissant proving to be a firm favourite! Following the earthquake, our Smart Hosts wanted to ensure that everybody was comfortable with the plans for the day, therefore we re-evaluated how the days activities should unfold. After speaking to our local team, they advised us the best way to proceed and assured us that the majority of people are were going about business as usual. We are forever grateful for the staff, performers and guides who came back to work and continued to deliver an exceptional service at a difficult time for their country, and amazingly with a smile still on their face.

Our CEO, Greg, had designed a scavenging extravaganza and we were thrilled that we were still able to experience some of the surprises he had in store. In the late morning, guests were split into teams, given a purse of Moroccan Dirhams and whisked off on 1940’s motorbikes. They were given a series of clues and had to navigate the city by directing the driver and finding ‘X marks the spot’ (in our case… the Smart Group logo spray painted onto various buildings), the aim of the game was to discover which item they had to buy from the markets, and for the least amount of money. The first stop was at Blacksmith Alley, a busy, bustling street filled with the smell of hot steel and fire. After locating the correct blacksmith, teams had to barter for the correct item, once successful, they would receive the next clue, which happened to be at a tiny bakery hidden in one of the back alleys. The clue was to ‘break bread’ with their team… the next clue was INSIDE the bread! We hit the open road and sped along to the stunning Palm Grove of Marrakesh, this clue led us right outside Cristiano Ronaldo’s house. After a quick picture, the teams raced back to the finish line at La Mamounia! Filled with adrenaline, the guests were ready to unwind at our beautiful lunch location, La Sultana, a rooftop oasis in amongst the chaos of a bustling city. Guests were greeted with cold glasses of chilled rosé and served a delicious three course lunch.

Our Saturday evening dinner took place in the impeccable gardens of La Mamounia, dining al fresco under the warm blanket of a Moroccan evening. We encouraged our Friends to dress as colourful as possible and when they arrived, it was clear why! The tablescape was a kaleidoscope of colour inspired by the souks and spices of Marrakesh. Each guest was given a fez and personalised tambourine, to join in the festivities. After being greeted by lively local drummers, we were treated to a traditional feast featuring mountains of tagine, alongside jewelled salads and pastillas – absolutely delicious! Towards the end of dinner, four mesmerising belly dancers lured everybody out of their seats to continue the revelries on the dancefloor – our Smart Friends have got the moves, as our video proves!

For some guests it was a very early start to embark on a once in a lifetime experience, hot air ballooning over the Atlas mountains. Guests were greeted with a Berber breakfast and of course, caffeine! They were split into two balloons and the race began, who could reach the highest point?! As the sun rose over the breathtaking landscape, it all felt very quiet and surreal, the perfect moment to reflect on an unforgettable weekend.

After a jam packed two days, Sunday was all about relaxation and recouperation, allowing our Friends a chance to refuel ready for the working week ahead. Some chose to refuel on rose and daquiris, whilst others lounged by the pool.

What a wonderful weekend we had together, memorable in so many ways.