Best Hotels in Marrakech: Riads, Palaces, and Desert Retreats

Marrakech riad with pool

Staying in Marrakech is unlike anywhere else. The city's best accommodation is hidden behind unmarked doors in the medina — traditional riads with interior courtyards, rooftop terraces, and the kind of personal hospitality that large hotels cannot replicate. But there are also spectacular palace hotels and modern resorts for those who prefer more space and amenities.

Palace Hotels

Luxury hotel pool and garden

Royal Mansour — Commissioned by King Mohammed VI, every unit is a private three-story riad connected by underground tunnels through which staff move unseen. The result is absolute privacy combined with palace-level service. The spa, gardens, and restaurants are exceptional. From around $800 per night, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

La Mamounia — A legend. First opened in 1929, with guests including Winston Churchill, who called it the most beautiful place in the world. The gardens, spanning over 17 acres, are magnificent. The recently renovated rooms blend Art Deco heritage with modern comfort. The pool with Atlas Mountain views is iconic.

Amanjena — Aman's Marrakech property, built around a basin inspired by the ancient Menara Gardens. Minimalist luxury with pavilions and maisons set among olive groves. Quiet, serene, and deliberately separate from the medina chaos.

Boutique Riads

El Fenn — Part art gallery, part boutique hotel. Multiple rooftop terraces, a small pool, and an atmosphere that attracts creative travelers. Located at the edge of the medina, offering easy access without being in the thick of the chaos.

Riad Yasmine — Instagram-famous for its turquoise pool surrounded by pink walls, but the appeal goes beyond aesthetics. The hospitality is genuine, the rooms are comfortable, and the rooftop breakfast with medina views is a daily highlight. Excellent value.

Riad Jardin Secret — A hidden gem with just a handful of rooms, a beautiful garden, and the kind of personal attention that makes you feel like a houseguest rather than a hotel client.

72 Riad Living — Italian-designed, with a striking contemporary aesthetic inside a traditional riad shell. The pool, the food, and the thoughtful design make this one of the most stylish stays in the medina.

Modern Resorts

Resort with pool and palm trees

Four Seasons Resort Marrakech — Outside the medina with expansive gardens, multiple pools, and views of the Atlas Mountains. The rooms are large and immaculate. Perfect for families or anyone who wants luxury without the medina intensity.

Mandarin Oriental Marrakech — Set in 20 hectares of olive groves and gardens. Villas with private pools, an exceptional spa, and a sense of space that is rare in Marrakech. Outstanding for a relaxing stay.

Oberoi Marrakech — Intimate, with just 28 rooms and suites, plus a handful of villas. The gardens, designed around citrus groves and reflecting pools, create a peaceful atmosphere. The spa is among the best in the city.

Riad vs. Resort: How to Choose

Choose a riad if: You want an authentic medina experience, enjoy personal hospitality, and do not mind smaller rooms and the sounds of the medina.

Choose a resort if: You want space, swimming pools, gardens, and a quieter environment. Better for families with young children.

Best of both: Stay 2-3 nights in a riad to experience the medina, then move to a resort for a couple of nights to decompress.

Final Thoughts

Where you stay in Marrakech shapes your entire experience. A riad places you inside the heartbeat of the city, while a resort offers a serene counterpoint. Both are valid, and both can be extraordinary.

Riad or resort — what is your preference? Share your Marrakech hotel recommendations below.

— Remi André Lurud

Les også: Gitarblogg | Oslo Takst AS | MEAS Eiendomsmegling

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