As dicas do Miguel Guedes de Sousa sobre Marraquexe: Hotéis fora de Marrakech

1. Kasbah Tamadot (Hotel do Richard Branson – No Atlas – a 50 minutos de Marrakesh)    http://www.kasbahtamadot.virgin.com/en/kasbah_tamadot

2. Riad Villa Joya em Agadir, 28 quartos, muito simpático, 2 hrs de auto-estrada para quem quiser ver o Mar.

http://www.riadvillablanche.com

3. Riad Heure Blue em Essaouria, 2 hrs e meia de Marrakech numa boa estrada, Mogador Português a não perder.

http://www.heure-bleue.com

Riad Heure Blue em Essaouria

Posted in Hotel Reviews, Miguel Guedes de Sousa, Visiting Morocco | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

As dicas do Miguel Guedes de Sousa sobre Marraquexe: Os Melhores Hotéis

1. AmanJena (o melhor hotel de Marrakech, só para quem pode e percebe…claro! Se não ficarem, vale a pena almoçar ou jantar)
http://www.amanresorts.com/amanjena/home.aspx

2. Royal Mansur (Hotel do Rei, obra única Marroquina, detalhes maravilhosos de arquitectura, serviço impecável e pretensioso, com preços absurdos!)
http://www.royalmansour.com/

3. La Mamounia (o grande clássico foi tudo remodelado por Jack Garcia dos Costes de Paris, a não perder)
http://www.mamounia.com/fr/index.php

4. Palais Rhoul (o preferido de muitos por ser mais barato que os 2 primeiros e ser muito giro. Há quem diga que já foi melhor!)
http://www.palais-rhoul.com/main_en.htm

5. Villa des Orangers (riad chic perto da Medina – da cadeia Relais & Chateaux)
http://www.villadesorangers.com/fr/index.php

6. Riad Noir d’ivoir um riad com grande pinta na medina
http://www.noir-d-ivoire.com/

7.  Riad Joya novo Riad na Medina, súper chic!
https://www.riadjoya.com/Reservation/contact.asp

8. Riad El Fenn Riad da irmã do Richard Branson
http://www.riadelfenn.com/

9.  Riad Maison MK um pequeno funky riad com um bom Chefe Inglês perto do Kif Kif.
www.maisonmk.com

 

AmanJena in Marrakech, Morocco

———-

Miguel Guedes de Sousa é o director geral de Amanjena, em Marraquexe, Marrocos. Miguel é um especialista em hotéis-boutique e gestor de moradias luxuosas, actividades em que tem 18 anos de experiêencia. Correntemente escreve sobre a vida, viagens, eventos e tudo o mais, no seu blogue pessoal Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Amanjena Articles, Amanresorts Group, Hotel Reviews, Miguel Guedes de Sousa, Visiting Morocco | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cozinha Marroquina

A gastronomia de Marrocos é uma das mais ricas do mundo, pelo seu sentido de paladar, pela sua cor, cheiro e combinação de sabores. Pessoas de Fez, Meknes, Marraquexe e Rabat foram ao longo dos anos refinando a cozinha marroquina, fazendo com que se tornasse mais criativa e atractiva, tal como a conhecemos nos dias de hoje.

Em Marrocos a refeição principal é o almoço, sendo que a comida é, nesta fase do dia, ingerida em grandes quantidades, suficientes para se ficar cheio para o resto do dia.

Esta cozinha é rica em saladas, passando depois para os pratos guisados. Aqui é costume comer-se cordeiro ou frango, acompanhados pelo tradicional couscous, bem como verduras e legumes. No final da refeição, há quem tome chá moruno ou de menta.

Em Marrocos é frequente as pessoas comerem com os três primeiros dedos da mão, usando-se até o pão como mais um utensílio ou ferramenta para ajudar na tarefa de comer.

As grandes cidades de Fez e Marraquexe lograram ter uma decisiva influência de cidades árabes na sua gastronomia. Por outro lado existiram influências judias em Essaouira bem como a “quase andaluz” Tetuán, fazendo com que houvesse desde cedo uma partilha de ingredientes, temperos, cores e cheiros, algo que fez enriquecer muito esta cozinha.

Quanto a pratos famosos, o couscous é incontornável, bem como o Tagine,  a Kaliya, a Pastilla, a harira e a Bissara (sopas. )Há alguns pratos à base de sémola com carne e verduras. Como já se disse, na carne destaca-se o frango e o cordeiro, cozinhados com o recurso ao limão e a azeitonas.

————————–

Miguel Guedes de Sousa é o director geral de Amanjena, em Marraquexe, Marrocos. Miguel é um especialista em hotéis-boutique e gestor de moradias luxuosas, actividades em que tem 18 anos de experiêencia. Correntemente escreve sobre a vida, viagens, eventos e tudo o mais, no seu blogue pessoal Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Miguel Guedes de Sousa, Visiting Morocco | Tagged | Leave a comment

My choices for Night Life Activities in Lisbon

Silk Club, Lisbon – Bairro Alto

Get on the List for Exclusive Nightlife. Otherwise dificult entrance, ask your concierge to get you on the guest list. www.silk-club.com Silk Club is Lisbon’s hottest club of the moment. Its central location, its panoramic
views, its sophisticated and modern lux décor, and its stringent door policy make it one of the most desirable places currently on the nightlife scene in Portugal’s capital city. Open nearly two years, Silk integrates the architecture and design of its interiors with the ambiance that Lisbon transmits at night. It accomplishes this by its spectacular location.
Silk is on the upper floors of the Espaço Chiado, a commercial building adjacent to
the legendary Ferdinand Wall. From here, breathtaking 270º views of the city can be
experienced with a drink in hand on the large open-air terrace.

LUX (www.luxfragil.com) Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Doca do Jardim do Tabaco,
Alfama

Partly owned by Hollywood actor John Malkovich, this is Lisbon’s hippest club
and one of Europe’s most fashionable (especially when it comes to the interior
decoration), having attracted visiting stars like Cameron Diaz and Prince. It couldn’t
be a more stylish place, with a spacious interior decorated with funky and retro
furniture. Top DJs spin cutting-edge music downstairs in a frenzied dance floor, while the top floor has a more relaxed vibe with an alternative soundtrack.
A balcony running around the building overlooks the river, while a breezy rooftop
terrace is a great place to watch the sun rise early in the morning. As expected,
everyone tries to come here, so expect highly selective doormen and long queues on
weekends. This is THE place to spend the night in Lisbon.

BBC (www.belembarcafe.com) – Avenida Brasilia, Pavilhão Poente

A restaurant-bar-club combination attracting a wealthy and rather pretentious crowd that demands a higher degree of sophistication. It is a stylish place with resident DJs often hosting theme parties.

KAPITAL (www.grupo-k.pt) Avenida 24 de Julho, 68

With a tough door policy, this club is known to cater to the city’s elite since it opened
in the early 90′s. Each of its sleekly designed three floors plays a different style of
music and has its own characteristics, with the top floor being a VIP lounge that
attracts businessmen, politicians, yuppies, and aspirational types.

BUDDHA (www.buddha.com.pt) – Gare Maritima de Alcantara, 30, Docas

This club in a 1940s maritime terminal has exotic wooden furnishings creating an
oriental ambience. Large and smaller Buddhas imitate Buddhist sanctuaries, and low
tables and leather couches and beanbags make up the rest of the décor. Although it
has the same name as the famous Paris bar, here the music is Deep House, with chill
out sounds reserved for the lounge. It frequently hosts theme nights, and is worth
checking out to end your night if you decide to dine at one of the restaurants facing
it on the dock.

—————

About Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Miguel Guedes de Sousa is the General Manager of Amanjena, an Aman Resorts property located in Marrakech, Morocco with 48 suites and 22 villas. An expert in boutique hotels and luxury villas real estate management, he has 18 years of hotel experience. He currently writes about  life, travel, events and everything else in between in his personal blog Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Miguel Guedes de Sousa, Night life | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

My best restaurants in Lisbon and the surroundings

Bicado Sapato : Aveida infante D.Henrique, Cais da Pedra, Santa Apolonia (21 881 0320– www.bicadosapato.com). Open 12.30pm – 2.30pm, 8pm-11.30pm Tue-Sun; 8pm-11.30pm. The most trendy restaurant in town with 3 concepts to choose from, if youwant to be seen go…then next door you have the most famous disco LUX, the sameowners.

Olivier : Rua do Alecrim 23 (21 342 2916 – www.restaurante-olivier.com) . Open 8pm-midnight Mon-Sat. The restaurant is located inside the Tivoli Jardim Hotel, just 50meters off Avenida da Liberdade.The interior is very stylish and modern. It feels morelike New York or Paris then Lisbon to be honest. Visited by the local high-society,it’s a place to see and to be seen. Last time I had dinner there the food was excellent. Kobé Beef picanha-style, gratinated scallops, octopus carpaccio, the list goes on and on. All very yummie indeed. The menu has some interesting mixtures that you might not expect from such an upscale place, such as American mini-hamburgers. The wine list is excellent, as one can expect from a place like this.

Pap’açorda : Rua da Atalaia 57 (21 346 4811). Open 12.30-2pm, 8pm-11pm Tue-Sat. Situated in the Bairro Alto, Portuguese food good is the best in town, mixed vip clientele makes this small restaurant a landmark, is perhaps my favorite restaurant.

Eleven : Rua Marquês de Fronteira, Jardim Amàlia Rodrigues (21 386 2211 –
www.restauranteeleven.com). Open 12.30pm-3pm, 7.30pm-11pm Mon-Sat.
*Michelen star restaurant in a modern design setting best for fine dining food lovers.

Tavares : Rua da Misericordia 35 (21 342 1112 – www.restaurantetvares.pt). Open
12.30-2.30pm, 7.30-11pm Tue-Sat. It is a must for the tradition and they have a
fantastic new chef. Opened in 1784, Tavares Rico is Lisbon’s oldest restaurant. With a luxurious, opulently gilded interior, But the atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed in
such a palatial setting, and the food is first class. A true Lisbon experience

XL : Calçada da Estrela, 57-63. Lapa. Bairro Alto. 1200-661 Lisbon Tel.: 213956118
My good friend Vasco Gallego, a master, “restaurateur”, who has the most loyal
clientele in town among the local jet set and famous people for his most tasty
Portuguese and other signature dishes with a great extensive wine list.

Monte Mar : Estrada di Guincho (21 486 9270). Open noon-3.30 pm, 7pm-10.30pm Tue-Fri ; noon-4pm, 7pm-10.30pm Sat-Sun. If the sun shines take car and drive to Cascais by sea road until Guincho (35 minutes from Lisbon) and you find the perfect sea food restaurant on the top of the rocks facing the Atlantic Ocean. Perfect and very friendly service, excellent fish and a fabulous table on the terrace. Great experience, you must book in advance on the weekends.

Olivier Restaurant in Lisbon

—————–

About Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Miguel Guedes de Sousa is the General Manager of Amanjena, an Aman Resorts property located in Marrakech, Morocco with 48 suites and 22 villas. An expert in boutique hotels and luxury villas real estate management, he has 18 years of hotel experience. He currently writes about  life, travel, events and everything else in between in his personal blog Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Miguel Guedes de Sousa, Restaurant Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

VIAJAR E VISITAR MARROCOS

Marrocos é um país que se encontra a noroeste do continente africano, limitado que está a norte pelo Estreito de Gibraltar (faz fronteira com Espanha), por Ceuta, e pelo Mar Mediterrâneo. A sua capital é Rabat, a sua moeda o Dirham. Qualquer altura do ano é boa para visitar Marrocos. Todavia, se pretende visitar a costa atlântica e fazer praia, poderá ser mais aconselhável apontar as suas férias para os meses entre Maio e Setembro, inclusive; se gosta de esquiar, Marrocos é ideal para a prática dessa modalidade desportiva, sendo que o período entre Janeiro e Abril é o mais desejável;  Se pretende andar pelas belas cidades, os meses entre Fevereiro e Outubro são boas alturas para visitar cidades como Marraquexe,  Casablanca, Tânger ou Fez com temperaturas amenas e agradáveis. Se gosta de andar a pé e estar ao ar livre, Marrocos é um país seguro, apesar de ter de haver um cuidado redobrado com os carteiristas, bem

como com os guias não oficiais. Marrocos é, de facto, um destino que oferece uma grande variedade cultural, bem como paisagens, enriquecido por uma gastronomia muito própria, um estilo de vida muito diferente dos padrões europeus, e uma arquitectura com o peso dos séculos e influência de diversos povos provenientes de toda a parte e que se foram instalando no território.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

VIAJAR E VISITAR MARRAQUEXE, MARROCOS

Marraquexe, no sudoeste de Marrocos, é conhecida como a cidade vermelha, tendo diversas atracções turísticas, albergando também muitos artistas como músicos e dançarinos. Esteticamente aparece como que dividida em duas: uma mais antiga e fortificada, e a cidade moderna (Gueliz). Visitar Marraquexe implica obrigatoriamente visitar a Praça Jamaa El-fa, que é o coração da cidade, e a belíssima Medina, local de culto e tradição. Para quem gosta de passear, deve experimentar os “souks” que são as ruelas pedonais, plenas de comerciantes apelando ao consumo. É aqui que se sente os pulmões do local. Os banhos árabes, os “hammam”, também são uma grande atracção, estando acessíveis a todos. Procure os museus e a Madrassa Ben Youssef, um edifício centenário que recebeu em tempos a maior escola corânica do Magrebe. Quando estiver muito cansado pare no Café des épices, lugar ideal para fazer uma pausa. Se aprecia gastronomia diferente da sua, aconselho o Dar Moha, um dos melhores restaurantes da cidade. Por último, apanhe um transporte e dê uma escapadela até Essaouira, pequena cidade piscatória a 180 Km de  Marraquexe. Valerá a pena. Será um óptimo passeio.

Posted in Miguel Guedes de Sousa, Visiting Morocco | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Restaurant Recommendations: French Restaurants

French restaurants Marakkech are also in abundance. As usual, the best way to avoid inconveniences, especially during peak season, is to reserve early. Call Amanjena before your stay so we can help you arrange your reservations.

  • Le Jardin des Arts: The decoration inside is stunning. A great mixture between modern and traditional Moroccan artifacts. It also has a large terrace cooled down with fountains, surrounded by exotic trees, serving French inspired cuisine. Closed on Tuesdays.
  • Dar Enassim: The pavilion is home to a gourmet restaurant managed by Fabrice Vulin, a member of the académie culinaire de France and chef with two Michelin stars.His cuisine is creative and elegant; he knows how to delight his guests with light and aromatic dishes.
  • La Tougana: This European style restaurant offers a highly-varied cuisine. Closed Tuesdays.
  • Ksar Char-Bagh:  Influenced by Mediterranean and Oriental flavors, the Ksar Char-Bagh restaurant serves a refined medley of flavors in a wonderful environment.
  • La Villa de Didier Beckaer: Inventive French cuisine which combines the Moroccan spices in a Zen and Cozy ambiance.
  • La Villa des Orangers: Located in the Medina, enjoy a Mediterranean inspired menu with daily Moroccan suggestions in elegant and refined surroundings.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Restuarant Recommendations: Moroccan Restaurants

Here are the top Moroccan restaurants within Marrakech based on our guests’ experiences. To avoid any hassles, especially during peak season, please call us ahead of time so we can help with your reservations:

  • Riad Kniza: Located in the Medina offers traditional Moroccan home cooking.  Mohammed and his family will be the perfect hosts for an inspiring evening. Good option for lunch in a typical Riad.
  • Le Tobsil: Lovely and romantic restaurant serving Moroccan set menus. Closed Tuesdays.
  • El Fassia: Situated in the new town, El Fassia breaks the mold in several ways: it is an all lady kitchen team, it kept the traditional flavour of the Moroccan dishes…all of that makes it one of the best à la carte Moroccan restaurant in the city.
  • Dar Yacout: Marrakech’s most famous restaurant, a true institution, they serve abundant set menus. Closed Mondays.
  • Le Palais Souleiman: This magnificent palace managed by Driss, house of a former Vizir of Marrakech, dating from the end of the 19th century, serves an excellent traditional Moroccan cuisine in a unique ambiance. Closed Mondays.
  • Our Tent: A magical experience in our traditional tent in the midst of our olive garden, enjoy the most unforgettable Moroccan dining experience, entertainment with dancers and musicians while you taste the aromas of a sheesha and the flavour of Moroccan cuisine.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Restaurant Recommendations: In Amanjena

Here are our recommendations for bars and restaurants within Amanjena. To avoid any disappointments, especially during the high season, we recommend you contact us beforehand so we can make reservations for you:

  • The restaurant: Offers Moroccan & Spanish home-style cuisine at its best with among others, a selection of decadent tapas and copious paellas. Soft lighting lends warmth to the generously proportioned room. A scalloped onyx fountain rimmed by olive trees climbs to a commanding central skylight. Moucharabieh-wood screens play at the higher reaches. The tinted plâtre ciselé walls are the colour of honeyed eggshell and chiselled with ancient Berber designs. Banquettes and tables dressed in white cloth, pink rose petals and thuja-wood settings hug the walls. During the summer months, dinner seating is moved outdoors.
  • The Thai: The Thai Restaurant, alongside the swimming pool, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Authentic Thai cuisine is featured for lunch and dinner, transporting you to the faraway Siamese shores! Spicy salads, as well as soups and curries tempt the palate and are enhanced by authentic ingredients flown in from Bangkok. The light-filled room features banks of glass doors and coral-tadlekt walls spiked with old Moroccan leather horse saddles.
  • The Pool Terrace: Open for breakfast and lunch and orchestrated by Chahid and his team, the terrace overlooks the pool and the adjacent Amelkis golf course and offers a variety of light International lunch dishes and a selection of Thai specialities.
  • The Caidal tent: A magical experience in our traditional tent in the midst of our olive garden, enjoy the most unforgettable Moroccan dining experience, entertainment with dancers and musicians while you taste the aromas of a sheesha and the flavour of Moroccan cuisine.
  • The Gazebo: Located in our Minzah (or Gazebo), we offer you a unique dining experience to explore the variety and the subtle flavors of the Moroccan cuisine. You will be greeted with a glass of champagne and serenaded with the sound of the luth, a typical Moroccan guitar.
  • The Bar: Ideal for a pre-dinner or an enjoyable “Tapas moment” with friends or family. Youssef will welcome you and have you try some of his delicious cocktails or long drinks.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment