In Marrakech, the uniquely Moroccan type of hotel, the riad, takes a special place. Riads are family houses, traditionally plain on the outside but with a beautiful central courtyard, often surrounded by balconies and galleries rich with keyhole arches or finely crafted stucco on the ceilings. The best hotels in the city are often riads, but not always — so our list of the best boutique riads and luxury hotels has some excellent urban resorts, too. Scroll down and discover them all. Which one will you book for your perfect vacation?
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“The royal treatment begins at the airport. We were whisked out of the line of weary travelers and into a private air-conditioned VIP lounge […] and within minutes ushered to a discreet shiny black limousine.” — From our review
Built by Morocco’s finest craftsmen and comprising fifty-three luxurious riads spread out amid hectares of manicured gardens, Royal Mansour is a magnificent creation that redefines the gold standard of Andalusian luxury. The entry-level accommodation here is a three-story, one-bedroom standalone riad. Guests are served by an army of attendants moving between facilities and guest riads in the maze of tunnels buried entirely underground. It’s one of the most “instagrammable” hotels in Marrakech, too, thanks to the eye-popping reception hall, the snow-white spa decorated with exquisite latticework, and an outdoor pool encased in a glass pavilion.
Read the review from our stay: Royal Mansour Marrakech.
Alternatively, book Royal Mansour Marrakech via:
Tablet Hotels | Expedia or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Royal Mansour Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Royal Mansour
Fans of Aman Resorts can look forward to enjoying their favorite luxury hotel brand in Morrocco. The palatial Moorish-style resort, born from the epic vision of the architect Ed Tuttle, carries a distinct Moroccan identity infused with the hallmark grand proportions and character of Aman. The Amanjena color scheme recalls olive groves and Berber villages, with pink columns, marble fountains, and jade irrigation pools. Amanjena is an idyllic, private world where translucent curtains drift in the quiet wind. And if you are looking for insta-worthy hotels, the perfectly symmetrical collonades and vast reflecting pools make Amanjena just the place.
Alternatively, book Amanjena via:
Tablet Hotels | Expedia or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Amanjena, Marrakech, Morocco.
Photos (including the leading shot at the top of the article) © Aman Resorts
La Mamounia is Marrakech’s legendary hotel, dating back to 1923. It has a reputation of over-the-top opulence and impeccable, sleek service. The long list of celebrity guests includes such notables as Winston Churchill, Marlene Dietrich, and Yves-Saint Laurent. After a recent overhaul, the hotel has been enhanced by new dining venues and a contemporary look. However, its design still references the past through a collection of antique furniture and decorative Art Deco elements. The hotel sports eight hectares of gardens, spa, and hammams — offering a serene refuge from the chaotic bustle of the medina.
Alternatively, book La Mamounia via:
Hotels.com or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © La Mamounia
Located right next to the famous Saadian Tombs on the medina edge, La Sultana Marrakech is a thoroughly Moroccan property created from a cluster of authentic riads. The hotel is defined by contemporary oriental luxury and infused with the sense of privacy and beauty found in the traditions of Marrakech townhouses. There are 28 rooms, an intimate spa, and a rooftop restaurant. Richly decorated interiors showcase decorative Moroccan tile work, carved wood doors and ceilings, and gilded bathrooms.
Read the review from our stay: La Sultana Marrakech.
Alternatively, book La Sultana Marrakech via:
Tablet Hotels | Expedia | Agoda or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: La Sultana Marrakech, Morocco. Photos © La Sultana
The Oberoi is set on twenty-eight acres and is surrounded by centuries-old olive and citrus groves. The hotel’s stately architecture and its carefully landscaped gardens draw inspiration from the grand opulence of Morocco’s royalty. The Oberoi is centered around a courtyard decorated with handcrafted stucco and glossy green-and-blue tiles. While the common areas feel palatial, some facilities are deeply intimate — from the darkly beautiful Vue bar to the privacy-focused guest villas. The standout facility of the hotel is the glass-cube spa with an indoor pool, hammams, and treatment rooms overlooking a natural pond.
Alternatively, book The Oberoi Marrakech with:
Tablet Hotels | Oberoi Hotels or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: The Oberoi, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
“The gorgeous spa is accessible from the first courtyard through a secret door, hidden in a mirror. It feels like uncovering a secret.” — from our review
A small door hidden at the end of a dingy pathway grants entry to de Tarabel, a charming riad filled with family heirlooms, souk-sourced antiques, and cedar or rattan furniture. Set up in four interconnected townhouses, the riad has only ten rooms and suites. Each is designed with its own identity, realized in thoughtfully curated interior design, though always with a French twist. The highlight of the hotel experience here is the tranquil, beautiful spa, offering a range of excellent treatments in a gorgeous setting, combined with an intimate atmosphere.
Read the review from our stay: Riad Tarabel.
Alternatively, book Riad de Tarabel via:
WelcomeBeyond or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Riad Tarabel, Marrakech, Morocco. Photos © Riad Tarabel
Mandarin Oriental is an oasis of luxury in the heart of Marrakech, surrounded by hectares of landscaped gardens and olive groves. Rustic but luxurious, the style of this urban resort is inspired by the colors of the desert and the heritage of Morocco’s Berber culture. The guest suites feature heated terrace plunge pools, and the fifty-four private villas are mini riads enclosed by high walls. The hotel facilities include a world-class spa, five innovative restaurants and bars, and several swimming pools.
Alternatively, book Mandarin Oriental Marrakech via:
Tablet Hotels | Expedia | Agoda or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Mandarin Oriental Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
El Fenn embraces the Morrocan riad traditions, with no windows on the street side but light flooding into the hotel’s quiet courtyard patios. Beautifully restored from seven authentic townhouses, El Fenn has interiors full of historic charm, accented with modern art. It combines European creature comforts with opulent glamour and a touch of boho style. The riad features three pools, one of which is located on the sprawling rooftop terrace. Among El Fenn facilities is also a restaurant, bar, spa, and library. Book baby-pink room 20 for the perfectly Instagrammable hotel stay.
Read the review from our stay: El Fenn.
See what others think about El Fenn on TripAdvisor.
Website: El Fenn, Marrakech, Morocco. Photos © El Fenn
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The Ksar Char-Bagh is a stunning Moorish palace that oozes Ottoman opulence. This spectacular property is inspired by 14th-century Moorish architecture, but it serves a 21st-century minimalist luxury. The hotel’s luxurious suites resemble apartments. Among the facilities are an enormous outdoor swimming pool, a library, cigar and billiard rooms, a vaulted Hamman lined with marble, and a spa. There is also a restaurant, but your dinner table, lit by lanterns, can be set up anywhere on the 4 hectares of tranquil gardens, where the air is filled with scents of citrus trees.
Alternatively, book Ksar Char-Bagh via:
Tablet Hotels | Expedia | Agoda or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Ksar Char-Bagh, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Ksar Char-Bagh
First impressions could suggest another minimalist-focused hotel — but step deeper inside, and it becomes apparent just how unabashedly Dar Darma Riad embraces the full-on Moroccan extravagance. The six suites of this intimate riad are defined by explosions of lush color and ornate antique furniture, often embellished with mother-of-pearl or finished with a plush velvet. The interiors feature rugs, vases, and wooden screens and display handcrafted ceramics and silver tea sets. Book a stay in the Orange Suite for the maximum velvet luxury and the Blue Suite for the most tranquil design.
Alternatively, book Dar Darma Riad via:
Tablet Hotels | Expedia or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Dar Darma Riad, Marrakech, Morocco. Photos © Dar Darma Riad
Located just a 5-minute walk from the Jemaa El Fna square, La Villa des Orangers has the appearance of a secret royal palace hidden behind a thick carved door deep in the medina. Water soothingly gurgling in the fountains, the calm surface of the swimming pool, citrus-scented garden, and trees lining the courtyards create a sense of a tranquil place. There are only six suites, decorated in a sophisticated fusion of Moroccan and European styles, with nods to the French colonial décor, complete with wood-paneled walls, velvet chairs, and leather sofas, but also intricately carved plaster archways. The hotel features a luxurious hammam to maximize the intimate experience.
Alternatively, book La Villa des Orangers – Relais & Châteaux via:
Tablet Hotels | Expedia or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: La Villa des Orangers – Relais & Châteaux. Photos © La Villa des Orangers
Laid-back vibes by Coqui Coqui
The tranquil Riad Kniza is an oasis of serene beauty hidden behind a plain façade in the maze of medina’s streets and pathways. The guest suites, exiting onto the courtyards, are furnished with hand-painted tables, inlaid mirrors, and lush fabrics of ruby satins and creamy silver velvets. But Kniza is most of all a place that enchants with its atmosphere, smells, and sounds. During the day, the riad is filled with bird songs, while a rose petal-filled fountain in the courtyard quietly gurgles in the hot afternoon. Nights are filled with music from local artists, played live. Completing the experience is Riad Kniza’s excellent restaurant, one of the finest in town.
Read the review from our stay: Riad Kniza.
Alternatively, book Riad Kniza via:
Expedia | Hotels.com or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Riad Kniza, Marrakech, Morocco. Photos © Riad Kniza
The Selman blends Second Empire opulence and intricate Arabian craft with contemporary luxury that includes private butler service. Its fifty-five bedrooms and five suites are intimate and focused on comfort, with a bold palette of fuchsia pink and peppermint green defining the interiors. A centerpiece of the hotel is the 80-meter pool lined by tall palms, but what sets this high-luxe Moroccan resort apart is the hotel owner’s collection of Arabian thoroughbreds. As patrons lunch at the sun-filled Le Pavillon restaurant, they often see horses wandering in the hotel gardens. The guests can also visit the stables, book rides, and watch a horse show every Sunday.
Alternatively, book Selman Marrakech via: Tablet Hotels or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Selman Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Selman Marrakech
The creator of L’Hôtel is the renowned designer Jasper Conran, who led the conversion of a 19th-century traditional townhouse into a small luxury riad. Under his keen eye, the proportions of the architecture were retained and enhanced, interiors infused with personality, and the private garden beautifully layered. L’Hôtel focuses on an exclusive experience with a limited number of guests, celebrating old-world elegance and modern luxury. There are only five suites, and they feature private balconies looking over a large courtyard with a tiled fountain and a swimming pool.
Alternatively, book L’Hôtel Marrakech via:
Tablet Hotels or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: L’Hôtel Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © L’Hôtel Marrakech
The whopping 231 hectares of the hotel grounds, complete with lush gardens and palm, orange, and olive groves, allow the Fairmont Royal to offer plenty of space and a full range of facilities. The hotel has six restaurants and bars, a spectacular 18-hole golf course, and its massive 2000 square-meter swimming pool is a destination on its own. There is also a fitness center with an indoor pool, and the world-class Clarins Spa is a must-visit. And when the parents come for the treatments, their little ones can play in the excellent kids club. One hundred and thirty-four rooms, suites, and villas promise comfort and space. The top accommodation is the Prince Villa featuring two large bedrooms with ensuite, a private Hammam, a swimming pool, and butler service.
Alternatively, book Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech via:
Tablet Hotels | Fairmont or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Fairmont
Taking cues from historical influences encompassing Berber, Roman, Ottoman, and Byzantine times, Riad Joya brings top-notch amenities and five-star local dining to central Marrakech. Four Doric columns adorn a traditional inner courtyard with a Roman-style marble fountain, and the riad’s majestic architecture is complemented by opulent decor. The seven suites of Joya are individually designed with an eclectic selection of furnishings and art, from Louis XV-style chairs to Turkish lanterns and Berber craft. The hotel sports a rooftop terrace with a bar and two plunge pools. There is also a library and a romantic dining room. A visit to the underground hammam is the perfect way to cap a day of sightseeing and haggling in the medina’s souks.
Alternatively, book Riad Joya, Marrakesh via:
Expedia | HotelsCombined | Agoda or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Riad Joya, Marrakesh, Morocco. Photo © Riad Joya
Four Seasons Marrakech promises a fully realized vacation thanks to excellent facilities, imaginative cuisine, and refined service with a 24-hour concierge. This urban resort is a luxurious sanctuary designed for a wide range of guests — from families to honeymooners. The property is located a quick taxi ride from the heart of the medina and is set amid forty acres, focusing on the central hub with lounges and two restaurants. There are also two swimming pools, a modern spa, and a Kids Club. There are 141 rooms and suites provided in two-story pavilions surrounded by neat gardens. The top accommodations here are two- or four-bedroom Royal Villas with private pools.
Alternatively, book Four Seasons Resort Marrakech via:
Expedia or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Four Seasons Resort Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Four Seasons
Dar Zemora was designed as a private home, and its atmosphere today is defined by this original purpose. It is small and intimate and more of a guest house than a hotel, with only five luxurious rooms in the main villa and a two-bedroom Pavilion Pool Suite, set apart in a beautiful three-acre garden. Matching the homely concept is the service, discreet and personal, and the interior design focused on creating comfort. Thus, the winter lounge is equipped with a large fireplace and the cozy library furnished with leather armchairs. The villa terrace, flanked by the main house’s wings, is filled with soft rugs and cushioned sofas. In the garden, the swimming pool is heated in winter — something of a rarity in Marrakech.
Alternatively, book Dar Zemora via:
Agoda | IHG® + Mr & Mrs Smith or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Dar Zemora, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Dar Zemora
Found behind an unmarked door among the tangled web of the medina’s pathways and passages, AnaYela is a 300-year-old palace transformed into an opulent hotel. To restore the historic property, local artisans were hired to handcraft everything from the fabric of the building to the furniture and silverware. The interiors are set in a restrained creamy palette with occasional splashes of color, e.g., in the ruby-toned windowpanes. AnaYela is focused on a small number of guests, as there are only three rooms and two suites. The hotel features a rooftop terrace and a heated limestone plunge pool, and the guest rooms have air conditioning — but otherwise, the feeling of authentic palace living is complete, without modern distractions such as TVs.
Alternatively, book AnaYela via: Design Hotels & Marriott Bonvoy | Expedia or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: AnaYela, Marrakech, Morocco. Photos © AnaYela
Where to stay in Santorini
It takes 25 minutes by car from the medina to reach Palais Namaskar, but that’s kind of the point. Set amid twelve acres of meticulously landscaped garden grounds, filled with gardens, olive groves, and dotted with orange and palm trees, Palais Namaskar offers a perfect escape from the chaos of Marrakech. Everything here focuses on providing an idyllic and intensely private experience — especially in the forty-one suites and villas spread around the property. Each guest accommodation is set apart enough to ensure complete privacy. The atmosphere throughout the resort is infused with tranquility, a feeling further enhanced by the design of the place, partially inspired by Feng Shui.
Alternatively, book Palais Namaskar via:
Hotels.com | Agoda or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Website: Palais Namaskar, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo © Palais Namaskar
Travel+Style's favorite places to stay in the Eternal City
There are hundreds of hotels to choose from in this city, and while we limited the above list to only the absolute best, there are many names worth at least a mention. See below!
Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals.
Disclosure: We earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Author: Travel+Style. Last updated: 08/05/2023
