8 Best Hotels in Medina, Marrakesh

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.