10 Best Hotels in Marrakesh, Morocco

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Marrakesh has exceptional hotels. Five stars are dropped at every turn, the spas are superb, and the loving attention to detail is overwhelming. If, however, you'd prefer not to spend a fortune sleeping in the bed where a movie star once slumbered, solid budget riads and midrange boutique options abound. They're small, clean, and suitably Moroccan in style to satisfy adventurous penny-pinchers.

To take on the historic heart of Marrakesh and live like a pasha of old, head to one of the medina's riads. Riad restorations, many by ultrafashionable European expats, have taken over the city; you'd trip over them, if only you knew where they were. Anonymous doors in the narrow, twisting derbs of the medina, and especially the souks, transport you to hidden worlds of pleasure. There are cheap ones, expensive ones, chic ones, funky ones, plain ones. Riads normally have around four to six rooms arranged around a courtyard and each room can be rented individually on a nightly basis. For special events and larger gatherings, it’s worth considering booking the whole property.

Marrakesh is something of a Shangri-la for designers who, intoxicated by the colors, shapes, and patterns of the city, feel free to indulge themselves in wildly opulent and ambitious designs. Although it isn't all tasteful, much of the decor and style in Marrakesh hotels and riads is fascinating and easy on the eye.

Most of the larger hotels (classified with three, four, or five stars by the Moroccan government) are in Guéliz, Hivernage, and in the zone touristique located beyond the Agdal Gardens heading out of town on Route de Ourika. There are also many superb guesthouses just a few miles out of town in the surrounding countryside. If you prefer something authentic and inexpensive near the action, choose one of the numerous budget-friendly riads in the medina, near Djemâa el Fna. Anybody with mobility issues or physical limitations should note that staying in a traditional riad usually involves a walk from the nearest parking area through narrow streets to reach the front door and climbing stairs to access the bedrooms and terrace. There are rarely elevators in all except very few of the larger luxury riads or boutique hotels.

Hotels and riads vary their prices wildly between high and low season. This means that if you time your trip right you can find some great deals. High season runs from March to May and from October to December, with spikes at Christmas, New Year's, and Easter.

Bab Hotel

$$ | Rue Mohammed el Beqqal, Marrakesh, 40000, Morocco

This boutique hotel in the heart of Guéliz is hypermodern in style, with trendy furniture, a space-age lounge bar, and minimalist bedrooms. The ground-floor bar is a popular meeting point and the hotel's location in the heart of Guéliz makes it ideal for exploring shops, galleries, and the medina. There's a small swimming pool in the inner atrium and also a rooftop terrace with comfortable seating, sun loungers, and a bar, but sadly no open views. That said, for a hotel in the new town, with a funky rather than functional vibe, Bab Hotel is worth checking out. It's worth spending extra for a Deluxe Room to get the extra space and balcony.

Pros

  • Funky interior design
  • Great location
  • Spacious rooms

Cons

  • Small pool
  • Noisy neighborhood
  • Patchy service
Rue Mohammed el Beqqal, Marrakesh, 40000, Morocco
0524-43–52–50
Hotel Details
45 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Dar Alfarah

$$ | 58, Derb Touareg, Marrakesh, Morocco

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.

Pros

  • Good location
  • Plenty of atmosphere
  • Family-friendly

Cons

  • Small pool
  • Bathrooms and showers need maintenance
  • Service sometimes slow
58, Derb Touareg, Marrakesh, Morocco
0524-38–42–69
Hotel Details
10 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Opera Plaza Hotel

$$ | Av. Mohammed VI and Av. Hassan II, Marrakesh, Morocco

Next to the train station and opposite the Theatre Royal, this modern four-star hotel makes a convenient and well-priced base in the nouvelle ville—even though it's not the most glamorous location—as taxis are on the doorstep for the short skip to the old medina and it's walking distance to the rest of Guéliz. As you enter the airy foyer with marbled floors, low sofas, perfumed air, and contemporary sculptures, the overall feel is of quality and reliability. The Opera Plaza complex includes a bowling alley, nightclub, lounge bar, and Italian restaurant. All rooms face into the center courtyard with its large swimming pool (also shared with the adjacent three-star sister hotel), pool bar, and chill-out zone with sheesha pipes and cushions. Rooms are clean and functional with contemporary Moroccan styling and some ornate features.

Pros

  • Lovely pool area
  • Central location
  • Spacious and clean

Cons

  • Building lacks charm
  • Air-conditioning not always working
  • Service can be slack
Av. Mohammed VI and Av. Hassan II, Marrakesh, Morocco
0524-35–15–15
Hotel Details
115 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Riad Baya

$$ | 13 Derb Akerkour, Marrakesh, 40000, Morocco

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. 

Pros

  • Can rent the whole riad
  • Attentive staff
  • Cozy, homey atmosphere

Cons

  • No nearby parking
  • 20 minutes from main square
  • Not suitable for those who have trouble walking
13 Derb Akerkour, Marrakesh, 40000, Morocco
0662-40–39–39
Hotel Details
5 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Riad BE Marrakech

$$ | 23 Derb Sidi Lahcen O Ali, Marrakesh, Morocco

BE is the fun and laid-back retreat created by Nicole Billi and Mohamed Bousaadi, who treat all of their guests and staff like family. The couple first met in 2012 when Billi traveled from her hometown of Zurich, Switzerland, to Marrakesh and fell in love—with both Bousaadi and his home country. The pair wed and are now the proud owners of one of the most charming riads in the city, blending Billi’s love of modern European design and Bousaadi’s dedication to preserving his cultural heritage. BE also has a yoga studio and spa, plus sells local crafts and artisanal goods. Additionally, the food is great and if you fancy picking up some tips, cooking classes are available.

Pros

  • Beautiful design
  • Warm, friendly staff
  • Great food

Cons

  • Location can be challenging to find
  • Stairs might be tricky for some
  • Noise from common spaces can be heard from rooms
23 Derb Sidi Lahcen O Ali, Marrakesh, Morocco
0524-38–45–11
Hotel Details
11 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Riad Le Limoun

$$ | 66, Derb Lahcen O Ali, Marrakesh, 40000, Morocco

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. 

Pros

  • All king-size beds
  • Vegetarian food options
  • Great rooftop terrace

Cons

  • Adults only
  • No ability to split beds
  • 20-minute walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa
66, Derb Lahcen O Ali, Marrakesh, 40000, Morocco
0670-05–04–61
Hotel Details
5 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Riad les Trois Mages

$$ | 11, Derb Jemaa, Marrakesh, Morocco

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.

Pros

  • Rooftop pool
  • Great service
  • Cozy lounges

Cons

  • Far from the main square
  • Rooms get noisy when riad is full
  • Prices are set in GB sterling so can fluctuate
11, Derb Jemaa, Marrakesh, Morocco
0524-38–92–97
Hotel Details
6 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Riad Malika

$$ | 29, Arsat Aouzal, Marrakesh, Morocco

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.

Pros

  • Cozy winter lounge
  • Parking nearby
  • Large bedrooms

Cons

  • Far from main square
  • Heavily flowered interior courtyard may be allergen trigger
  • Lots of stairs
29, Arsat Aouzal, Marrakesh, Morocco
0524-38–54–51
Hotel Details
9 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Riad Nesma

$$ | 128, Riad Zitouen Lakdim, Marrakesh, Morocco

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.

Pros

  • Excellent value
  • Great location
  • Roof terrace with pool and Jacuzzi

Cons

  • Rooms are small
  • No ground-floor access
  • Rooms opening onto patio are noisy
128, Riad Zitouen Lakdim, Marrakesh, Morocco
0524-44–44–42
Hotel Details
24 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Riad Samsli

$$ | 24, Derb Jdid, Marrakesh, Morocco

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.

Pros

  • Allows children of all ages
  • Lovely communal salons
  • English-speaking staff

Cons

  • No ground-floor rooms
  • Some rooms are small
  • No doors between bathroom and bedroom
24, Derb Jdid, Marrakesh, Morocco
0524-42–77–49
Hotel Details
9 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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