October 18, 2007

Africa & Mideast | Morocco | Marrakech

Mellow in the Medina

By Mark Jolly

Marrakech trumps London and Paris to host this season's coolest chill-out party.

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When the world’s hottest nightclub empire opened here in 2005, Marrakech was already hitting its stride among the world’s new style capitals. But since the arrival of Pacha, the Moroccan hotspot has only gotten hotter, with more summering jetsetters shunning the Hamptons for a balmy piece of North African paradise. While New York’s season has long ended, Marrakech slips into the groove tomorrow with the inaugural Puro Desert Lounge Weekend. Masterminded by Mallorca design hotel Puro, the two-day party rocks the casbah with nonstop music by some of the biggest international musicians and DJs such as acid jazz-torchbearer Gilles Peterson, British dance music duo Coldcut, and Felix Buxton from Basement Jaxx.

The ruins of a 500-year-old palace, in the heart of the medina, are the venue. Expect plenty of dancing, drinking, eating and lounging — amid carpets, pillows, torches and tents. And for just over $1,000 you can even rub elbows with renaissance man Brian Ferry (pre- or post-performance) in the VIP “nomad camp” with private terrace bar. But if you can’t get to Marrakech this weekend, don’t despair: Abercrombie & Kent recently announced their new 2008 Signature Series trip to Morocco, a nine-day customized journey that culminates with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city’s Menara Garden.