Our trip departing Morocco allowed us the opportunity to test out The Pearl Lounge in the international departures hall of the Marrakech Menara International Airport. To our surprise, the lounge was a nicely appointed place to relax prior to our flight, that was only marked with some wine that was a little warm to our tastes. Read on to see how our visit experience was…

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This post is one chapter on our trip to Iceland, the United Kingdom and Morocco. This trip was redeemed through Alaska Mileage Plan and enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: The Pearl Lounge, Marrakech Menara International Airport – Terminal One, Marrakech, Morocco

This review is about the Pearl Lounge in the departures zone of the Marrakech Menara International airport. For a review of the Pearl Arrivals Lounge Marrakech Airport, please see our other review.

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I had heard lots of horror stories about the Marrakech airport. Most of my research recommended arriving at least 3 hours in advance of the flight. The issue appeared to be long queues and bureaucratic checks with security prior to departing.

At about three hours before our flight, we departed the Le Meridien N’Fis Marrakech hotel. A taxi was only 70 Moroccan Dirhams and we were dropped off in less than 10 minutes.

Checking into British Airways Club Europe:

We arrived up at the Marrakech Menara International Airport for our British Airways Club Europe Business Class Marrakech – London flight. The airport itself is a beautifully designed and looking building. We had a departure experience filled with bureaucracy; likely the most that I’ve ever had leaving an airport. It started with an X Ray scan of all bags entering the building.

We went over to check in where we had no waits at the check in for the British Airways flight to “Londres”. At check in, we were given lounge invitations for the Pearl Lounge, and a verbal explanation for the fast track queue to depart the airport.

We got rid of all our Moroccan Dirhams and had them changed into Euro’s at a nearby money changer on the public side. The country appears to be exceptionally strict about taking Moroccan Dirham out of the country.

Getting out of the check in hall was another matter. We headed for the newer departure area of the building. We located the Fast Track line, where a guard checked our eligibility. We then proceeded to an inspection station where the only purpose seemed to be on questioning us on how much cash we were carrying with us and taking out of the country.

We then had a security inspection, where our passport and ticket details were manually recorded in a log book by hand. We then proceeded to the exit immigration customs, where I had a friendly chat with the border police who asked a whole host of questions on my employment and career. Leaving the exit immigration area, there was a fifth inspection to ensure that we had received the “exit stamp” just around the corner from the last inspection. We would later have a sixth inspection and questioning of our bags prior to entering the holding lounge for the departure flight. If you happen to have travels through here, make sure you allow lots of time for these assorted inspections; none of them seemed really enjoyable or useful.

Locating the Pearl Lounge:

We travelled up the escalators to the departure level and were met European styled duty free shopping by Dufry and a whole host of other luxury brands. MrsWT73 picked up on some Moroccan Rose wine as a souvenir for 7 €.

There also happened to be a Starbucks Coffee in the airport, and MrsWT73 was able to collect another Marrakech city mug.

The lounge is located on the departures terminal floor after security and after passport exit controls near the large Dufry Duty Free Zone. It is almost immediately opposite the Starbucks Coffee shop pictured above.

Accessing the Lounge:

We were given vouchers at British Airways check in for the Pearl Lounge. Dependent on your carrier, you may be provided access to this lounge courtesy of the class of your ticket.

The lounge is a member of Priority Pass. If you are a member of Priority Pass, or have access to Priority Pass Select through some premium credit cards including the American Express Platinum Cards.

Our visit today was courtesy of travelling in British Airways Club Europe Business Class .

Inside the Lounge:

The Pearl Lounge was a bright new facility with several sleeping areas. Everything was new and fresh looking. Although there was daylight windows, the windows were covered with wainscoting to keep out the bright sun.

The lounge had colourful seating surfaces. The Pearl Lounge was among the more colourful lounges that I’ve had the opportunity to visit.

The wifi was good and strong throughout the airport and worked well without any issues.

Food and Beverage:

There was a small food area but the food didn’t look all to appealing to me. The food was presented in small, packaged and delicate portions. This wasn’t a strong suit of this particular lounge.

There was wine by the glass that was available over the counter on request and surprisingly not on display. Like everything else in Morocco, the white wine was warm as well and not super appealing after the first couple of sips. I actually suspect it had heat shock. I stuck with water which was lightly refrigerated.

We headed onwards on our British Airways Club Europe Marrakech – London flight after enjoying the lounge for about an hour.

The Bottom Line: The Pearl Lounge Marrakech:

Ultimately, the Pearl Lounge Marrakech was nicer than the terminal to visit, but I probably won’t expect to much in the way of food and beverage when passing through here. Given the bureaucracy leaving Marrakech, it could be a convenient place to hang out if you happen to find yourself with extra time, thanks to light security checks.

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If you’ve visited the Pearl Lounge Marrakech, did you find the furniture brightened up the environment?

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