What should I pack for a luxury Morocco trip?

A luxury Morocco trip — think Royal Mansour, a five-star riad, private guides and fine dining — lets you pack with a little more polish, but the brief I give is elegant rather than flashy, and always within Morocco's modest, conservative frame. The most useful pieces are refined, breathable fabrics: tailored linen separates, flowing silk or cotton dresses, smart-casual linen shirts, and a relaxed palette that photographs beautifully against the tilework and gardens. Resort-wear that drapes and breathes lets you look put-together in the heat without sacrificing comfort, which is exactly the balance these properties are built around.

You do want a couple of genuinely dressy outfits, because the dining at this level merits it — a sophisticated dress or a crisp shirt and trousers for an evening at a destination restaurant or a private dinner in the riad courtyard. Footwear is where elegance meets practicality: pack chic but comfortable flats or refined sandals that can still cope with cobbled medina lanes, plus something a touch dressier for the evening. Skip high heels, which the uneven streets defeat, and which you will not miss once you see how everyone actually moves around the old towns.

Even in luxury, modesty and sun sense still apply, because a palace hotel sits within the same conservative country as everywhere else. Covering shoulders and knees when you head out into town keeps you comfortable and respectful, so I pack a beautiful wrap or pashmina that covers up elegantly and doubles as a layer for cool evenings on the rooftop. A quality wide-brim sun hat, good sunglasses and a refined SPF protect you in style; the strong Moroccan sun does not discriminate by hotel rating. A swimsuit and a chic cover-up are essential for the pools and hammams these places are famous for.

The finishing touches are about ease and indulgence. Pack your finest skincare for the dry climate, anything you want for the spa and hammam rituals, and one elegant evening clutch or small bag. The properties provide robes, slippers, premium toiletries and often laundry, so you can travel lighter than you might think and let them handle the rest. A type C/E adapter charges everything. And do leave room in the case for the exceptional things you will be guided toward — hand-knotted rugs, antique silver, bespoke leather — because the real luxury of a high-end Morocco trip is often what you bring home from it.