<p>My daughter and a group of friends are heading to Marrakech in the next week and I had a few concerns.</p>
<p>I had heard that girls should not travel alone to Morocco, but their advisor said it was okay as long as they stayed in the main part of town in the evenings. My main questions is, where should they stay? They found a hotel in the older part of Marrakech, closer to the historical sites that is really cheap, which makes me wonder if that is not the area to stay in.</p>
<p>Any ideas what area would be the best for 4 female college students? I am heading over to Trip Advisor now, but knew my friends here would be a great source!</p>
<p>The old part of town, the medina, is the place to stay. I take it they’ve found a riad - old house turned into a small guest house? Though some are off the scale boutique luxury hotels, the basic riad will be cheaper than a new hotel outside the city walls. As long as Trip Advisor reports it as clean, I wouldn’t worry about it being cheap. Even the most basic riad will be a calm oasis within the labyrinthine craziness of the old town. I have long recommended Marrakech as a good place for families with teens - but I met up with my 21 year old niece yesterday - she’d just returned from Marrakech and a few days trekking in the Atlas mountains. Went over Easter with a small mixed group of friends. She said the girls noticed a marked change when they went out without the boys. The almost jokey calls of ’ Lady, beautiful lady, come see my carpets, I’d trade 20 camels for you, my lovely gazelle," became much more aggressive and indeed intimidating when the girls were alone. So I’m not sure about girls alone - travel together, ignore the catcalls, smile politely but keep walking? Isn’t there a travel forum for women travellers? You might get better feedback there. Thorntree? Good for your daughter, being adventurous - hope all goes well and I’d love to hear her trip report.</p>