Shake it, Shake it! New Mixology Festival launches at Buddha-Bar Marrakech

Buddha Bar Marrakech Spring Cocktails

Fancy shaking up some cocktails at a brand new mixology festival?

In January, I popped over to Marrakech for a weekend of sunshine and pampering. After an exhausting Christmas (my 4 nieces and nephews sure kept me busy!) I was in need of a few days of relaxation, good food and the company of one of my best friends. It certainly hit the spot.

Royal Palm Hotel Marrakech

Enjoying the pool at Royal Palm Hotel Marrakech
Enjoying the pool at Royal Palm Hotel Marrakech

Forget New York, Marrakech is my new favourite city that never sleeps. From its international film festival every December to Marrakech Bienniale (it successful arts festival) in the spring, there’s plenty going on.

As I wrote in this blog, Buddha-Bar Marrakech was a great find in January. Serving some of the best Asian-inspired food I’d ever eaten, and with a top team of mixologists, I ate and drank my way merrily through the weekend! Good news, to add to Marrakech’s constant stream of events and festivals, Buddha-Bar are launching a Mixology & Cocktail Festival.

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SXMusic Festival, Saint Martin

Orient Beach Saint Martin

Hitting the beach in Saint Martin for SXMusic Festival.

Oh hey… look where I am? 

Just when I thought I was heading home from an incredible month in South America, I took a slight detour. I’ve popped over to the paradise Caribbean island of Saint Martin for a week of sunshine, rum and beach parties. The occasion? The brand new boutique music festival SXMusic.

SXMusic Festival 2016

SXMusic Festival 2016

From 9th – 13th March, the world’s top DJs are flying in to perform at some of the island’s coolest venues. From the perfect white sands of Palm Beach on Orient Beach, to the island’s top nightclubs Tantra and Le Shore. Jamie Jones , Patrick Topping and Maceo Plex head up a top line up for the Caribbean’s newest music festival.

SXMusic Festival 2016

Orient Beach Saint Martin

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REVIEW: Noi Hotel Vitacura, Santiago, Chile

Noi Vitacura Rooftop Pool

Looking for a luxury hotel in Santiago? My review of 5* Noi Hotel will have you even more excited for your trip! 

In the upmarket Vitacura neighbourhood, the five-star Noi Hotel is attracting a stylish clientele in search of a luxurious base in Santiago. Enticing them – contemporary décor, a plush spa and an incredible rooftop pool and bar with panoramic views of the city. After 23 hours of travelling, I couldn’t wait to check in.

Noi Vitacura Rooftop Bar

The Noi group is proud to own luxury boutique hotels in several areas of outstanding natural beauty across Chile, including San Pedro de Atacama, Patagonia and the Andes Mountains. They aim to deliver a unique experience via their locations and facilities – something that the Noi Vitacura certainly achieved. Close to Alonso de Córdova Street (filled with exclusive boutiques, restaurants and art galleries) and near to Bicentennial Park, Vitacura is one of the most desirable parts of the city.

Noi Vitacura Exterior

From the contemporary wood-clad exterior, to the polished floors and grand lobby area with its criss-cross view of overhead walkways, arriving at the Noi was a sophisticated experience.

READ MORE: The Best Luxury Hotels In Santiago

Noi Vitacura Lobby

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REVIEW: Buddha-Bar, Marrakech

Buddha Bar Marrakech Terrace

Time to check out Buddha-Bar Marrakech.

*DISCLAIMER: I worked on a sponsored campaign with Buddha-Bar in 2016, for which I produced video, blog and social media content about Marrakech and the restaurant. Sadly Buddha-Bar Marrakech broke their contract and only paid me for half of my work and time. After I threatened legal action, they stopped returning my emails and calls. I have left the content live, as I was proud of the work I did, but I find their behaviour utterly disrespectful, and would never return there out of principle.*

Towards the end of 2015 I spent a few weeks travelling around Morocco. While I’ve visited the country a few times before, this was more of an immersive trip – sleeping in camps in the Sahara, visiting local markets high in the Atlas Mountains, and finishing with the full Marrakech experience – snake charmers, hammams and more! I thoroughly enjoyed it and hoped it wouldn’t be long before I returned.

Cheap flights and guaranteed warm weather make Marrakech a great break from the UK, particularly for those craving winter sun. With a free weekend in January, I couldn’t resist but snap up some bargain fights and pop over for a dose of vitamin D, great food and a bit of pampering.

Buddha-Bar is Marrakech’s newest opening. As a brand, Buddha-Bar is synonymous with style, music and great Asian-inspired food. With restaurants in Paris, London, Beirut, Dubai, Sao Paulo, Kiev and many more, it was only a matter of time before Marrakech was added to its mini-empire.

Check out the video of my luxury weekend in Marrakech, or scroll down to read more about Buddha-Bar Marrakech. 

Buddha Bar Marrakech - 1

Don’t be fooled by the name. Buddha-Bar is more than a bar, it aims to take you on a journey – through its music, décor and menu. Not just another night out, it’s longing to be a memorable experience, ideally one that you’ll choose to return to time and time again. Only a handful of brands have achieved this globally – Pacha perhaps, and high-end hotels such as the Four Seasons.

January is supposedly a low season in Marrakech, but with constant traffic, and Jamaa El Fna square as packed as ever, it wasn’t particularly noticeable.

Buddha-Bar Marrakech sits in the chic Hivernage area. L’hiver being French for winter, the district made its name as the place the wealthy French holidayed during winter. Home to the majority of the city’s top boutiques, 5 star hotels (including Es Saadi Gardens and Resort where I stayed last time), it’s the area both to see, and be seen in. With Buddha-Bar’s signature branding, latticework, lanterns and a swanky red carpet, I couldn’t WAIT to get inside – particularly with the bass of the deep house soundtrack pulsating from within.

Buddha Bar Marrakech - 66

Surprisingly, and perhaps bravely, this is one of Marrakech’s largest restaurants. With seating for around 450, it’s an enormous space. Yet despite high ceilings and masses of seating, it doesn’t feel cavernous. Quite the opposite in fact – with its dark mood lighting, ambience and personable service, there’s a rather magical feeling of intimacy.

Buddha Bar Marrakech - 68

Once through the enormous ornate doors, there was one person in my eyeline… Hello Buddha! Transported from Indonesia, the 4 metre high figurine sits proudly with grand illuminated staircases cascading down either side.

Buddha Bar Marrakech - 18

The building is cleverly divided into several areas. From the main dining room, to the lounges, salons, private dining rooms, high tables and bar area. While each has its own distinct vibe, the colour scheme of blue, red, gold and black creates a feeling of unity. Oriental patterns, lush silk and plush velvet all work to create a mysterious, sophisticated restaurant.

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REVIEW: Burley Manor, New Forest, Hampshire

Burley Manor Hotel, New Forest

Find out what it’s like to stay at the luxurious Burley Manor in the New Forest.

I’ve pledged to see more of the UK this year, and I’m so happy to report that I’ve just found one of the prettiest places yet!

Yes I may have nipped to the Alps for a quick play on the ski slopes, and caught some winter sunshine in Marrakech… but I’ve also been won over by London’s brightest festival – Lumiere London, and swapped big city life for an English country manor in the New Forest. Just a quiet January then…

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