Some things about Marrakech, the crown jewel of Morocco, are tried and true. There’s La Mamounia, an opulently appointed resort where everyone from Winston Churchill to the Kardashians have stayed. There’s Villa Oasis, Yves Saint Laurent’s former vacation compound, and the medina, a terra-cotta-toned throng of shops where Westerners who think they can bargain routinely end up overpaying. And there’s the Agafay Desert, where brides-to-be and birthday celebrants navigate Mars-like terrain on camels. (If you’re unlucky, yours might growl like an espresso machine and try to buck you off. A shepherd recently told a rattled rider that her camel was “depressed” because of “marital issues.” )
But over the past five years, monied tourists have sought out something new in Marrakech: the up-and-coming industrial district, which is a 20-minute drive from the city’s main drag. Savvy locals call the district Sidi Ghanem. Post-pandemic, bougie bohemians are flocking to it.
