PLATONIC DESIGN NOTES No. 1 Jan 10

Sampling the delights of Marrakech in the New Year, we were struck by the charms of eating among the bustling tagine (and offal) stalls on the central square at Jamaa El Fna. Meeting Boris Johnson wandering among the stalls, we were tempted to ask him how this magic might be recreated in London, or indeed, other urban conurbations in the UK. Weather, he might have replied. Our chat was curtailed, however, as he was soon beseiged by the arabic waiters, proving how global publicity has become.

Snake charmers, story tellers, monkey trainers and musicians populate the square, and the muezzin calls to prayer hardly dent the excitement or din. Fire plays a lasting part in the Morrocan culture, from cooking brazieres to metal working, leather treating and bread making. So, too, does colour, from the brilliant majorelle blue evident in the architecture of the Majorelle Gardens, immaculately restored by Yves St Laurent, to the powder colours of yellow, blue and red in the pottery in the traditional buildings, with their ubiquitous arches and crenelations.

For somewhere to stay with style and elegance, we recommend the Al Fassia Aguedal, ten minutes by taxi out of town. Based on the Riad or courtyard house design that is a trademark of Marrakech, the rooms are arranged around the palm trees and fountain at the hub of the hotel. The staff are friendly and attentive, the style immaculate, and with a fine restaurant attached, there couldn't be a better place to stay outside the walled Medina.

In the Souks, the constant bartering and negotiating is exhausting, but enlivening, and ouside our way of life in Britain. Not a bad idea in straightened times, though. A great preparation for throwing oneself back into the fray of wintry London.