Curated stays. Honest reflections. The real story of building a life around intentional travel. Minnie Escapes Stay Edit™ is a portfolio of properties experienced, trips reflected on, and the behind-the-scenes of life as an independent travel agent and travel writer. Not a highlights reel. A body of work. Browse the Stay Edits. Read the reflections. And if something calls you to Morocco — or anywhere else — I can book that for you.
A note on this Stay Edit: I was not an overnight guest at the Royal Mansour. I visited as a day guest — lunch at Le Jardin restaurant during my birthday trip to Marrakech. Non-staying guests can make restaurant reservations at any of the hotel’s restaurants or book spa treatments. This Stay Edit is an honest account of what that afternoon gave me — and why I believe some of the most transformative experiences in travel don’t require checking in.
December in Marrakech.
My 39th birthday. Solo.
Not my first time in Morocco — not even my first time in Marrakech. But my first time arriving entirely alone, with no itinerary to share, no one else’s preferences to fold into the plan, and nowhere to be except exactly where I chose.
It felt like a gift I’d given myself.
Some places you choose.
Others choose you.
White Beach Taghazout chose me in February 2024 — during one of the heaviest years of my life. And when October came, I returned. Not because I needed to see something new. But because I needed to return to something proven.
A place I already knew could hold me.
Minnie Escapes Stay Edit™ | Riad Alia · Marrakech Medina · February 2025
