Update 26/09/2023

FAQs & Charity

Add Your Heading Text Here

Dear Guest,

Two weeks after the events of 8/9, life in Marrakech and Sakkan has been back to normal for more than a week. Sunny, uniquely cosy and busy, in
other words. Eternal cities are rare, but they exist, and it is reassuring to live in one, even for a few days.

We will address Your FAQs further in this newsletter, but first we prefer to highlight this trending & simple truth:

“IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SUPPORT MOROCCO, VISIT IT”

No, we are not asking that for ourselves. If you were trying to book a room, you know that we have limited availability in the coming weeks, and thus
many guests.

Yes, we do stress that because other people were less fortunate than You and us. The tragedy that has affected families in the Atlas Mountains
deserves all the support. This beautiful country and its unique people do not deserve to lose this help now that the media is already focusing
elsewhere.

Besides, what could be more heartfelt than giving hope to people in need by simply answering their incredible hospitality with a visit to their beautiful
world ? The government reserves a lot of those funds for the affected families, and their new future.

So please travel and give hope !
Your journey matters.

1. THE SITUATION IN MARRAKECH TODAY

a. We quote from the press release dated 14/09/2023 by the local authorities, following a thorough investigation and assessment 5 days since the quake that hit the Atlas Mountains:

– The epicentre was in the villages of the mountainous region of the rural commune of Ighil (150 km from Marrakech) which accounted for most of the damage and loss of human life.
– In Marrakech, … the authorities pinpointed the few buildings that were damaged in the medina and have secured them.
– The hotels, all constructed to earthquake-proof building standards, have not been affected. The professionals in charge of these hotels have managed the situation in a professional manner, responding as closely as possible to the needs of their clients.
– Moroccan airports are all operating normally; travellers wishing to return home have been able to do so smoothly. The vast majority of flights to and from Morocco have been maintained.
– All over the country, public places, restaurants, shops, cultural spaces and museums are open.

— In summary, tourist activity is continuing unabated in all regions of the Kingdom.”

b. The Moroccan authorities take security very seriously. So do we ourselves.
This is another reason why it is regrettable that mainstream media have come quickly to register a rather unsubtle picture shortly after the events here. Images of Marrakech were mixed with the much greater damage in the lamented outlying areas. We refer to the above mentioned press release and the completely safe reality our guests & we experience every day.

c. Aftershocks?
In our first update of 10/9, we indicated that there would be aftershocks. These have had no further effect, and have according to earlier the forecasts been limited to recorded but not really felt, let alone damaging dimensions.
Did You know :
– that all over the Mediterranean and many other places in the world there are always and daily smaller quakes that we do not feel?
– that the previous severe quake in North Africa was 120 years ago?

d. Sakkan, our buildings
We refer to the government press release above : Sakkan is intact and we have had continuous guests since 8/9/2023. The minor aesthetic damage has been repaired.

2. I HAVE A RESERVATION IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND WEEKS. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

About 70 flights land and leave Marrakech daily from anywhere in the world. Added to this are the intercontinental flights from Casablanca, also for people whose destination is Marrakech.

Other transport in the city is running normally. Except for some diversions, but these are related to infrastructure works in preparation for major events this autumn.

Did You know about these upcoming events ?

– first week of October : World Summit 2023 IMF and World Bank
– end November : International Film Festival

Museums, restaurants, and major attractions are open and accessible. There is a busy, yet peaceful and supportive atmosphere throughout the city.

3. WHAT IS THE ATMOSPHERE LIKE IN MARRAKECH ? IS IT BUSY ?

The atmosphere is very serene, both among locals and tourists. A solidarity with the victims in the Atlas is palpable. Drop-off spots have been installed where people can donate food, medicine, blankets and hugs for the affected families. These are well attended, including by tourists. So if you want to bring or buy something to donate here, it is perfectly possible.

Restaurants and terraces are busy – as is the eternal Jema el Fna square.

In Sakkan, most guests with planned arrival dates shortly after 8/9 have continued their trip as planned. We also receive new reservations daily for the coming weeks and months. From colleagues, we hear the same messages.

In short, there is a pleasant atmosphere – enhanced by the palpable solidarity and music that is a bit more subdued than usual. But is that a disadvantage?

4. FINE, BUT I WOULD STILL LIKE TO CANCEL. WHAT CONDITIONS APPLY?

We respect everyone’s decision, but we ourselves are fully operational as a hotel in a normally functioning city – and have remained so the whole time. So, no cancellations are going out from us, and your room will be ready and available. As you requested from us when booking.

To cover the cost of a self-cancelled trip, we kindly refer to your travel insurance.

Thus, the formula chosen at the time of your booking (Best Rate or Flexible) determines the applicable conditions. Best Rate is non-refundable. With our Flexible Rate, you can cancel free of charge up to a maximum of 45 days before arrival.

5. CHARITY & NEW RESERVATIONS

Our management has also decided that – in addition to our other contributions – we will donate 5% of every new reservation made between 15 September and 15 October to the Rebuilding Fund (see below).

By visiting Sakkan and 1000-year-old Marrakech, you can not only experience the power of this beautiful people for yourself, but also contribute to the reconstruction of the affected mountain villages and communities.

This is the account number of the Special Relief Fund No 126, as installed by HRH Mohammed VI

IBAN MA64 001 810 00 780 002 011 062 03 18
SWIFT BKAMMAMR
Trésorier du ministère de l’Economie et des Finances
Bank Al-Maghrib
SUBJECT : contribution au fonds spécial N° 126

Please know that every contribution is an important help for a new future for many people and their children.

6. UNIFORMITY AND EQUAL TREATMENT

Covid is not that long ago, and we learned then -and even the past few days again…(?) – that some people still insist on exceptions because they consider their situation more exceptional than others, or more important…

Now that there is more than enough clarity and enough guests, with us and in so many other hotels, proving that there should be no safety or real ethical objection, we kindly ask You to respect our normal booking conditions.

We value equal treatment for all. And exceptions for some, complicate our schedules for many others.

We thank you for your understanding and hope to see you soon.

Marrakech, 23/09/2023

The Sakkan-team