Me, Marrakech and I: How to ace a solo female trip

I first visited Marrakech with my then-boyfriend in 2004, when I spent my days getting lost in the labyrinthine souks and witnessing snake charmers hypnotise cobras. Over 20 years later, I decided to see how it fared for females going it alone.

- Lydia Swinscoe

Where to stay should be the biggest consideration, since when shops shutter each night, the winding maze-like alleyways that make up the souk and city can become quite daunting. I wouldn't recommend wandering around alone late at night. There are ways to remedy this: pick a hotel in a busy, easy-to-get-to part of town; take dinner at your hotel; or go for early dinners so that you can be back safely in your room before it gets too late. You can’t rely on taxis in Marrakech, since many hotels can only be reached by tiny lanes that are impassable in cars.

Izza was my favourite hotel, a peaceful, intimate, art-filled haven appealing to solo travellers with its “house of friends” ethos. Aside from bedrooms made for relaxing, the pools and courtyards are idyllic, while the rooftop terrace is akin to a secret dreamworld.