No sooner does the cooling weather start to tempt us back into the great outdoors, than something else lures us inside. Marrakech, located on the second level of the Shangri-La on Sheikh Zayad Road is an alluring taste of Morocco right here in the desert, and its reputation is so good on the scene that it's almost a given that it should be on any visiting celebrity's ‘must-do' list.

It's a holiday on holiday if you will - a place where fez-wearing musicians lull you into a dreamy fantasy of North African charm, and home-cooked food sets your tastebuds alight with arabesque excitement. We sat in a cosy, cushion clad alcove and even though my feet were beneath the table, it was pretty hard to resist curling them up in front of me and kicking off my heels. There's something about Marrakech that makes you feel quite comfortable. Our waiter was cute too! He took the time to explain each dish - from the milk with orange blossom that sat in wait for us as we arrived at the table, to the traditional, tasty chickpea soup, to the six varying bowls of salad, including carmelised vegetables, black lentil and potatos oozing with traditional flavours, right down to the lamb and prune tagine that crumbled away beneath my fork and filled my belly so much that I had to go straight home and lie down!

Star factor: 7/10.

The quiet alcoves mean our visiting celebs could sit unrecognized and undisturbed, plus it's dark enough for them not to attract attention from passersby. Feel like a star yourself by donning your nicest frock, refusing to eat the Moroccan sweets for the sake of your thighs, (or having your photo taken with a big clay pot of food in front of you), and finish with a cocktail up at the Balcony Bar. Fancy-tastic!


For reservations please call (971 4) 405 2703, or Email: f&breservations.sldb@shangri-la.com

Marrakech - Shangri-La Hotel
Sheikh Zayed Road
P.O. Box 75880
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
T: (971 4) 343 8888
F: (971 4) 343 8886
http://www.shangri-la.com