17 Best Hotels in Marrakesh, Morocco

With easy access from Bab Laksour and just a five-minute walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa, this luxurious riad is a great base for exploring the medina. The service is impeccable, rooms and suites are beautifully decorated, and the bejmat-tiled patio (local handmade tiling laid in a herringbone design) is a delightful place to sip mint tea while shaded by orange trees. A high wall protects the small patio swimming pool from the sun. Meals are served on the roof terrace, the patio, or in the cozy upstairs salon, which has a huge open fireplace and a library of books and games. For even more privacy, they also have a small, restored townhouse around the corner suitable for two- to four guests. 

This renovated riad near the Badi Palace in the Mellah quarter has rooms arranged over two floors, looking inward to the central patio pool and terrace, which is shaded by jasmine, bougainvillea, and banana palms. Some suites are large enough to accommodate extra beds making this a convenient family base for exploring. Traditional features remain such as zellige tiled detailing and bathrooms finished in tadlak. Request meals on the secluded terrace, which has great views of Marrakesh and the High Atlas.

A long-standing favorite among budget travelers and backpackers, Hotel Ali is right at the edge of the main square and is constantly abuzz with activity, but don't expect many creature comforts. The rooms have en suite baths and air-conditioning (not always working), and guests have access to a 24-hour currency-exchange bureau. There are great views over Jemaa el-Fnaa, and some rooms have private balconies overlooking the street and a small park at the entrance to the square.

This well-managed, budget riad is a cut above the rest with an ideal location just a stone's throw from Place Djemâa el Fna. The decor is simple with Moroccan textiles, rugs, and lamps adding a splash of color to each of the bedrooms, which are clean and well-appointed. A central patio fountain, brightly tiled floors, tadelakt columns, rooftop terraces, and cascading plants contribute to an air of elegance. Meals are available in the hotel's salon restaurant, which has a cozy fireplace for winter and long, low cushioned benches for relaxing. There is also a terrace and a traditional 'caidal' tent for dining or just hiding yourself away with a book. Meals must be requested in advance.

Opened by celebrated British designer Jasper Conran, peace and tranquility reign supreme at this stylish riad set within a former 19th-century Ciadal palace. L'Hotel has six spacious suites, including Agadir, its newest and largest suite, which comes with its own private courtyard and fountain. Conran furnished all the rooms and common spaces with antiques and artworks from his private collection, which makes staying here feel like you're visiting a well-off friend's lush Marrakesh villa. Four-poster beds are made up with hand-finished Egyptian cotton linen surrounded by billowing white voile drapes. While all suites overlook the garden courtyard, request one with a private balcony or terrace. The on-site restaurant serves Moroccan cuisine either in the elegant dining room or on your own private terrace. There are no TVs and children are not accepted unless the entire riad is booked for private use. The sun-drenched roof terrace is ideal for afternoon tea or sunset cocktails.

On the souk's northern tip is this lavish riad spread across five adjoining properties, known for its fabulous decor and elite clientele (Angelina Jolie and Russell Crowe have stayed here). Its location in the heart of the busy El Mok'f neighborhood may be a bit more on the edgy side, but once you've reached the riad, you may never want to leave. TVs are hidden behind carved moucharabia screens and iPod docks are filled with cool tunes. Hidden alcoves and salons are great places to grab a meal, but don't miss the terrace for sunset. 

This Italian-owned boutique riad is near the Dar el Bacha Royal residence, on a street filled with antiques dealers and quality boutiques; it features gorgeous interiors that blend European, Italian, and Moroccan influences. Rooms are arranged around the central hexagonal atrium, which pours light into the central patio. On the ground floor there are cozy alcoves for reading, an elegant restaurant, and a glassed-in swimming pool that opens to a cloistered inner courtyard. The roof terrace has comfortable shaded seating areas and a dining area.

The jewel in the crown of the English-owned Pure Riads collection, Riad Adore is decorated in cool, pale shades of white, beige, and gray, with tadlak walls and subtle lighting—it's an elegant and sophisticated guesthouse close to the main medina action. The property extends over two courtyards joined by a zellij-tile dining room, in keeping with the original character of the house. Rooms are decorated with hand-embroidered cushions, fine white linen, and a scattering of antique rugs; en suite bathrooms are fitted out to a high quality. There's an on-site hammam for guests, and the roof terrace with Amazigh-tent lounging area is stunning.

Nestled into a residential area of the kasbah, the intimate Riad Baya has a lovely central courtyard and rooftop terrace. There's a living room and dining area on the ground floor and a tented alcove adorned with wall-to-wall couches, poufs, and vintage rugs. 

The Italian owners Georgina and Massimo have blended Moroccan flavors and craftsmanship with European style to create a riad that oozes sophistication. Traditional wood-paneled doors lead to each thoughtfully decorated room. There's also a small on-site hammam and massage area.

The decor is modern Moroccan meets cool hideaway at this chic riad, with a bright and airy interior. There's a nice to terrace on which to sip mint tea while taking in the sunset or, during colder months, you can lounge by the downstairs fireplace. Five understated bedrooms are available for rent individually or you can book the full riad for a group trip or private escape. 

Tucked away in the Riad Laarouss neighborhood, Les Trois Mages is a delightful small riad with English-speaking staff and spacious, tastefully furnished rooms. It's also one of few riads in this price category that has a small pool on the roof terrace that's heated in winter months. On the ground floor there are two comfortable lounges around the central patio, one with a fireplace for chilly winter nights, the other with a piano for musical guests. Some rooms have four-poster beds; the ground-floor Gaspard room combined with the adjacent Melchior room works well for families. The in-house chef offers a delicious lunch or dinner menu upon request.

A Scottish-owned riad with English-speaking staff, Riad Linda is an unpretentious and welcoming guesthouse that is an excellent value; it's decorated in contemporary Moroccan style, with individual touches such as vintage caftans displayed in bedrooms and enormous abstract modernist paintings by the owner. Rooms have wrought-iron beds and en suite bathrooms and are simply decorated with cool white walls, powder blue painted shutters, and a scattering of soft woolen carpets. The upstairs Douria Suite is split-level and ideal for a small family, with an open fireplace, huge walk-in bathroom, and private hammam. 

Full of eccentric charm, the rambling Riad Malika occupies three old houses and was one of the first riads to become a guesthouse in the 1990s. There's a lush garden patio and a small private pool, and the riad is easy to find in a quiet and safe part of the medina. The winter lounge is one of the coziest in Marrakesh, and there are spacious two-room suites ideal for families, as well as a decent-size patio pool. Many rooms have a private terrace also. The whole effect is a lovingly curated, quirky collage of styles and eras—sculpted plaster cornices, marble walls, gold-leaf ceilings, and a terrace with tumbling bougainvillea.

Proof that staying in a beautiful riad with elegant rooms does not have to break the bank, this Moroccan-run guesthouse is a real treasure, with a delightful roof terrace. A tiled fountain occupies center stage in the first-floor patio and keeps you cool in summer; for winter evenings there are couches in the patio area and a Moroccan salon with a library and TV. The riad is very easy to access and ideally situated close to the Mellah and the main Place Jemaa el-Fnaa. It works well for small groups and families as there are twin, triple, and quadruple-bedded rooms. Rooms are all tastefully furnished in modern Moroccan style and finished with tadlak walls, subtle lighting, and sculpted stucco details. Breakfast is served on the roof terrace (included in the rates); other meals can be arranged in advance.

Made up of two adjoining houses around separate courtyards, Riad Samsli has nine charming rooms at very good prices. The property is in a well-lit, safe neighborhood within easy reach of taxis and is close to both Place Jemaa el-Fnaa and the Mellah. Rooms are all on the first floor and are tastefully decorated and furnished in traditional Moroccan style with tadlak walls, carved wooden doors, wrought-iron trellised windows, and tile floors strewn with rugs. There are several indoor communal salons and cozy corners in addition to a rooftop terrace, a decent-size plunge pool with alcove seating, and a large restaurant with fireplace. An extra bed can be added to suites and there is a twin room, so families with small children can be accommodated.

You'll get the best of both worlds at this unassuming riad that's close to all of the action of the medina but still secluded. Common spaces include a whitewashed courtyard, with a plunge pool and a roof terrace with panoramic views.