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Where to stay in Marrakech – that is a question that comes to the mind of many Morocco travelers and whether it is your 1st or 10th time in the Red City it is never an easy one to answer. The options are sheer endless – there seems to be a never-ending array of 5-star hotels in Marrakech and innumerable cute riads to choose from in the medina.
The first time I came to Morocco I was on an Intrepid trip and we stayed in what I like to call ‘the Barbie Hotel’ close to where the Yves Saint Laurent museum is now. All I remember is a four-poster bed with pink curtains and frills. Let’s just say that I had long passed my Barbie-loving days so this place won’t make it on my ‘best places to stay in Marrakech’- list.
I have focussed most of my attention during the following visits either on the medina or places outside of town for more space and mountain views. And as per usual, I only like recommending places I have at least seen for if not stayed at myself.
With that, I put together a small list of the best hotels and riads in Marrakech where I like to stay, that have a certain something, and which I would recommend to my friends and family. All tried & tested by yours truly and with something for all budgets.
Where to stay in Marrakech – Medina or countryside?
If you come to Marrakech you have to stay in the medina to get the full experience, at least once. You don’t want more than a 5-minute walk to the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, or Jemaa el Fna.
That said, staying there is not for the fainthearted. The medina comes to life in the evening, you will be woken up by various mosques in the vicinity, and it gets crowded – in short: it is an overwhelming medley of sights, sounds, and smells. Still, I love it and I think staying at a riad, a typical Moroccan house, is the best way to do it. Many riads have been converted to boutique hotels or guesthouses these days with anything between 3 and 10 rooms, a courtyard, a terrace, a hot tub, or a little plunge pool.
Keep in mind that when you stay in the medina you will need to get around on foot – taxis can only take you to the outskirts of the Jemaa El Fna square for most of the day. There are plenty of porters around who can help you or your luggage to get to your riad but I recommend having your guesthouse organize a pick-up for you especially if it is your first time in Marrakech. This will usually cost you a little bit more than taking a taxi on your own but it saves you the hassle of negotiating a price and you will end up at the right riad.
If you choose a hotel outside of Marrakech chances are you will be blessed with more space, maybe a big pool, and usually some stunning views over the Atlas Mountains. Mind you, getting there can be a bit of a hassle especially if you want to move between your hotel and Marrakech for sightseeing and dining. First, check if your hotel offers a shuttle to the city center. Many offer a few rides per day which are usually free. If you don’t mind adhering to specific times, this is the easiest way to get around.
I recommend you book a combination of both, a riad in the medina and a resort outside of Marrakech for a bit of R&R – this way you can experience the best of both worlds without too much hassle of moving back and forth.
My favorite Guesthouses in Marrakech
Chambres d’Amis
If you have read this blog for a while you might have come across me raving about Chambres d’Amis or what I consider my home away from home in Marrakech.
This charming little riad in the medina is just a little different from all the other riads: pops of colors, quirky design features, and most importantly the loveliest staff which has been around since I first came to Marrakech on my own 6 years ago.
It is also within easy walking distance from Jemaa El Fna but tucked away enough to provide peace and quietness from the hustle and bustle of the medina. Chambres d’Amis is also a great option both for summer and winter in Marrakech as they have a stunning roof terrace and an open courtyard but also a salon with a fireplace for colder days.
Best of all? It is one of the less expensive riads I have come across in Marrakech but still provides a 5-star service! Make sure to ask them to organize dinner for you – their home cooking is outstanding.
Kitula Marrakech
I only discovered Kitula during my last stay in Marrakech and man, I immediately fell in love. While most riads in Marrakech boast some sort of traditional design and greenery, Kituala just does it a little better than the rest. Modern features meet Moroccan flair meet glasshouse: you will feel like you have stepped into a chic tropical jungle thanks to their lemon and orange trees in the courtyard.
Kitula has a big enough outdoor pool to swim a few laps in, a great indoor space for entertaining, and offers one of the best breakfasts in town. Like most riads, they only have a few rooms and each is individually decorated. Some are perfect for single travel writers while others combine into a big family suite. If you wanted to hire an entire riad for a special occasion this would also be my choice!
Another plus is Kitula’s location as you are within walking distance from the Douria Mouassine and other Marrakech sights you shouldn’t miss.
Riad Les Yeux Bleus
A tiny oasis of calm is something Riad Les Yeux Bleus provides. It was decorated by El Fenn’s manager Willem Smit and boy, the man knows what he is doing. This riad in the Marrakech medina is another perfect example of how to mix traditional Moroccan design with modern touches. Add a bit of pop art and some rich jewel tones and voila, you got yourself the perfect intimate, stylish hotel experience.
There is a pool in the courtyard, various nooks and crannies to chill at, the obligatory rooftop terrace, and a private hammam. The rooms are small but beautiful and the beds are so comfortable you might spend part of your Marrakech holiday snoozing away (not that I ever think snoozing is a bad thing but you have been warned!)
El Fenn
There are a few riad hotels in Marrakech that due to their sheer size are more boutique hotels than riad. El Fenn is one of them but that doesn’t diminish its charm.
The mastermind behind El Fenn is Vanessa Branson and what started as a 6-room riad is now a thriving 41-room boutique hotel with a restaurant, rooftop bar, and a shop.
While you will need to splurge if you want to stay here, but El Fenn offers all the hotel amenities you could want while still being smack bang in the Medina. Rooms are kept in different color schemes, there are various courtyards and pools to chill as well as the rooftop bar and restaurant that some compare to the Soho House.
El Fenn is not the new, cool kid on the block anymore but definitely still very cool.
- Book aroom at El Fenn: Agoda
Riad Yasmine
Even if you have never been to Morocco or searched ‘where to stay in Marrakech’, chances are you have seen a picture of Riad Yasmine. There has never been an accommodation that has claimed such an overnight Insta-fame as this riad in the medina thanks to a big shot influencer.
That is not to say, that Riad Yasmine doesn’t deserve all the attention it gets because it is a beautiful little riad. It sets itself apart from all the others thanks to its resident cats (well, at least for me), one of the best plunge pools in town, and the beautiful murals in the courtyard.
Thanks to their initial success they have now opened Le Petite Yasmine, a private house you can book. Perfect if you are looking for an exclusive riad rental for a group of friends.
While the riad is not open to people simply wanting to take a picture you can still expect a more than usual amount of photoshoots by resident guests. The staff is always more than happy to play photographer and seeing just how pretty Yasmine is you can’t blame anyone. Even I took a bigger than normal amount of pics though mine were exclusively of Bowie, the cat.
- Book a room at Riad Yasmine: Agoda
Recently I have also stayed at Riad Luzia and Riad Dar One. While they probably won’t make my top ten, they are really good options especially if you are on a budget.
Luxury hotels in Marrakech
La Sultana
If you are looking for a hotel to feel like a Moroccan princess, La Sultana is it. It is located right in the Kasbah next to the Sadian Tombs and the entrance is as discreet as can be – if you don’t know where you are you going, chances are you will miss it.
The inside is lavish, to say the least: roses everywhere, a stunning pool, and plenty of marble. There are 28 rooms in different wings of the building and they are incredible especially if you are a fan of opulence: think zebra skins, lace throws, and more marble. Some are a bit on the tacky side (at least for my taste) while others will simply make you feel like royalty.
To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of the food at their restaurant but breakfast is really good as are their pastries and snacks. And my favorite: their slippers are proper leather slippers and you get to take them home!
Royal Mansour
Where to begin describing the Royal Mansour? The name says it all: this hotel is owned by the king of Morocco so you are basically staying in a royal palace. And needless to say, it shows.
You will get a lot more than spacious rooms at the Royal Mansour Marrakech as one can only book private villas which are 3-story riads. The whole property is set up like a miniature medina (minus the noise and the motorbikes!) with riads in various sizes dotted around. Even at a minimum, you are looking at a lounge with a seating area and courtyard, bedroom, dressing room and bathroom, and a rooftop terrace with a plunge pool.
The Royal Mansour holds the record for most pillows on one bed (8!), my first hotel stay with customized stationery, and a few carats of gold leaf on their petit-fours. That said, there is no kitsch in sight, the interior is stunning and over the top but manages to stay classy somehow.
If you want to splurge, this is the best hotel in Marrakech to do it. If you need to save up a little longer to afford a night here, book yourself an incredible spa treatment and go for lunch at Sesamo restaurant in the meanwhile – both are open to the public.
La Mamounia
I am not entirely sure how the Mamounia became my favorite luxury hotel in Marrakech because it is nothing like the hotels I usually like. It is a little too big, a little too bling, and its signature color is orange. But somehow I like it all, it works together. Maybe it is the hotel’s history – a prince’s former pleasure palace, visits from Yves Saint Laurent and Winston Churchill, inspiration for Hitchock or maybe it is the incredible service, the views over the Atlas Mountains, the stunning outdoor swimming pool, or the fact that I ate my first Moroccan dish there that I truly loved.
Or maybe it is the super comfortable beds, the dates and almond milk you get upon check-in, the soap that I always steal because it smells so good or or or…
They also have tennis courts, a fitness center with a stunning view over the private garden, and some of the best cocktails in town if you are no sports enthusiast. So if you are looking to splurge in style, this is the Marrakech hotel for you.
- Book a room at La Mamounia: Agoda
Hotels & Lodges outside of Marrakech
Berber Lodge
The Berber Lodge is a recent discovery of mine and perfect if you are looking for a city escape. The lodge is set amongst olive groves and farmland in the middle of a lush garden and guest rooms are beautifully designed with traditional Berber designs. The interior manages a tight balance between rustic charm, impeccable design, and modern amenities.
The rooms don’t have their own private pools but there is one big communal pool in the garden, perfect for laps if you don’t mind tepid water temperatures, and a very excited puppy who may jump in with you.
The Berber Lodge is not a luxury resort per se so you won’t find a flat-screen TV or room service here (there is free wifi but only by the front desk) but it still feels utterly luxurious.
Mind you, the meals, or rather the value for money when it comes to food could definitely be improved but somehow that doesn’t make the Berber Lodge any less of a gem to recharge away from the heart of Marrakech and its busyness.
Fellah Hotel
If you are looking for a stylish getaway from Marrakech, Fellah Hotel is the place to go. Especially if you are traveling with kids or are looking for a fairly inexpensive resort this is a great place to stay outside of Marrakech.
While Fellah has lost its original charm as an artist retreat, it is still a rather cool place with quirky and stylish rooms, a stunning pool, and lots of nature. They have a few resident goats and donkeys, a private boxing gym, and a cooking shack where you can learn how to make a tagine. In addition, there is a library, a cool hotel shop and of course, a huge restaurant. Mind you, you are only a 30-minute drive from the medina so you can choose to either hang out at Fellah non-stop or travel back and forth between Marrakech.
Fairmont Royal Palm
I stayed at the Fairmont Royal Palm when it was still a Beachcomber hotel and was hosting the Pure opening party. Man, this place can throw a party! The night is a bit fuzzy in my memory but I do remember never-ending stacks of macarons, free-flowing champagne, fireworks, and enough candles which made me wonder how many people were in charge of lighting them – the grounds are sprawling, to say the least.
But even without a party, the hotel is a great choice if you are looking for a luxury resort outside of Marrakech. The rooms are quite big with simple lines and Atlas mountain views, and there are a few different pools, an amazing Origin spa, various restaurants, and important for the golf players amongst you: a golf course. My favorite was their amazing bar – ask them to serve your wine in a rose-gold pineapple!
Keep in mind that you will also be a 30-minute drive from Marrakech and can’t just walk down the road for a quick bite. While a certain price level can be expected at a hotel of this caliber I was shocked, to be honest, to see their prices for lunch – even at the pool restaurant, there was no dish under EUR 20. They do have a free shuttle to town though so if you are planning on staying longer I would definitely make use of that.
Scarabeo Camp
The law states that you can’t come to Morocco and not stay at a luxury desert camp. Well not quite, but honestly it is one of those not to be missed experiences.
Mind you, many travelers come to Marrakech and book a trip to the Sahara and are upset when they end up being stuck in a car for hours on end. The Sahara is quite a drive from town!
Unless you have sufficient time, I recommend spending the night at Scarabeo Camp in the Agafay desert instead. While you will not find sand dunes here, there are rolling hills of gravel, camels, beautiful Beduin tents and best of all – it will take you less than an hour to get here from Marrakech.
Scarabeo has an amazing old world explorer feel to it and the tents provide a true glamping experience: proper beds, heating, and even a tiny shower. The food is also incredible, there is plenty of wine (not always a given when camping in Morocco), and just the right amount of solitude.
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