Une demi-journée au spa de La Mamounia

The spa sits below the hotel, in pale marble and mosaic, with the light kept low throughout. The half day covers the traditional ritual: black soap scented with neroli, the kessa glove worked hard, a ghassoul wrap, then a long rinse.

Sixty or ninety minutes depending on which ritual you take, and a massage can follow it. Afterwards you have the pool and the gardens, which are the reason to arrive early and leave late.

Rituals are given in private rooms rather than a shared chamber, and same-gender therapists are standard. Book three days ahead, longer in spring. Suits a first afternoon in Marrakech, and it sits well before tea at the Menzeh once you are dressed again.