The Saadian tombs (9am-11.45am; 2.30pm-5.30pm; closed Tuesday; entrance Dh15/90p) comprise a late 16th-century royal mausoleum containing the graves of 66 kings from the Saadian dynasty. They are contained in the two buildings of a purpose-built palace; around it rambles a lovely garden, filled with palm trees and rose bushes – a peaceful haven in a congested part of town.The icing on the cakeMarrakesh resides beneath the High Atlas mountains. A trip to their slopes is easy, and a complete contrast to the frenzy of the city. The journey to Oukaimeden, a starting point for mountain walks in the summer, and for skiing during the winter, is easy.

You can get there by “grand taxi” – this is the term for the collective taxis that wait at Bab er Rob and leave as soon as they are full The fare is around Dh20 (£1.20) each way.. The great thing about visiting Manhattan is that there is always something new to aspire to: the coolest bar; the chicest shop; the latest restaurant and so on. Then there are the hotels: the triumvirate of luxury, style and service is what guarantees New York’s finest a permanent ranking among the best in the world. The Carlyle is a prime example, and if you want to invoke jaw-grinding envy among your friends and rivals, this is the place to stay. The intimate foyer, recently restored, gleams with understated art deco elegance. It’s uptown in every sense: from the tiny elevators, permanently staffed by white-gloved bellhops, to the local dog-walker who escorts a guest’s Burberry-scarved wolfhound to the park every morning.Location, location, locationCarlyle Hotel, Madison Avenue at 76th Street, New York, NY 10021 (reservations 001 212 744 1600; ).Time to international airport: John F Kennedy airport is 45 minutes by taxi.

A $35 (£22) flat fare for this journey applies to all yellow cabs: add on a $3 (£2) toll to cross the river plus tip (six or seven dollars).Are You Lying Comfortably?It’s a rare hotel room that can compete with the charms of SoHo, the Met and Central Park, but I experienced a fleeting desire to double-lock the door and simply wallow in luxury for the weekend. Guests in the 180 rooms and suites sleep on snow-white Frette linen, surrounded by antique boudoir chairs and sofas. Fine rugs grace the parquet flooring; original Audubon prints adorn the walls Some rooms have terraces and grand pianos From the higher floors, guests enjoy glorious views. Deluxe rooms and suites have a separate kitchenette with fridge, icebox and electric hob. An umbrella, CD and video players, fax machine, hairdryer and bathroom scale are also supplied.Bathrooms aren’t huge but are well-appointed, with bathtub and power shower. Deluxe towels, robes and slippers are supplied along with Kiehl’s bath products.Freebies: Fruit, Evian water and macaroons sweeten your arrival.

During November and December, all guests receive a $100 (£60) voucher to spend at Ralph Lauren – reception staff should hand you a personal voucher at check in.The best freebies are of the musical kind, in the hotel’s historic (and very fashionable) Bemelman’s Bar, and the Caf?arlyle, where Woody Allen plays with a New Orleans jazz band every Monday. Woody’s sax playing isn’t the best you’ll ever hear, but hey, this is the man who gave us Manhattan…Keeping in touch: Multi-line phones, dedicated fax line, stereo TV and radio, voice mail, data port.The Bottom LineStandard rooms from $495 (£315); standard suites from $850 (£540). Tower Suite from $2,700 (£1,700) to $3,200 (£2,000) per night.I’m not paying that: the Holiday Inn at 440 West 57th Street, New York City, NY 10019, charges from $129 (£80) per night (001 212 581 8100; ).. “I wouldn’t want my daughter parading herself like that,” said the police officer on duty.