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Best hotels in Marrakech 2023: Where to stay near the Medina and in La Palmeraie

The best places to stay in Morocco’s most atmospheric city

Mary Novakovich

Thursday 18 May 2023 18:13 BST

Find some of Morocco’s best food and crafts in Marrakesh’s busy Medina (iStock)

One of Morocco’s most vibrant cities, Marrakech’s hotel scene is constantly changing – helped by more than 1,000 riad hotels squeezed in among the narrow alleyways and souks of the Medina neighbourhood. These mini-Edens – all with a central courtyard garden (where the word “riad” comes from) – have been mushrooming in the Medina, veering between simplicity and no-holds-barred luxury. Then there’s the Ville Nouvelle and the lush palm groves of La Palmeraie, north of the city, if you’re looking for something a bit further away from the action.

Whether you’re heading to this North Africa hub for the delicious food, the rich culture or to simply wander through the steets and markets, soaking up the sights, sounds and scents, when it comes to choosing somewhere to stay, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our pick of the best hotels in Marrakech.

The best hotels in Marrakech 2023 are:

Best for French flair: Riad de Tarabel
Best for laid-back charm: Riad El Mezouar
Best for families: Es Saadi Marrakech Resort
Best for cool minimalism: Riad UP
Best for rural chic: Les Deux Tours
Best for Medina views: Riad 72
Best for history-lovers: Palais Riad Lamrani
Best for getting away from it all: Jnane Tamsna
Best affordable hotel: Riad Tizwa
Best for romance: AnaYela

Best hotel for French flair: Riad de Tarabel

Neighbourhood: Medina

These colonial-style buildings are perfect for keeping cool in the heat of the Medina (Adam Batterbee/Riad De Tarabel)

A touch of France mingles with Morocco in this classy riad near Dar El Bacha palace. Its French owners converted this colonial-style seriems of houses into a place of true serenity, with orange trees keeping things cool in the central courtyard. The 10 rooms are filled with antiques and calming shades of dusty blue, grey and cream, and lead out into Venetian-style salons. There’s a rooftop plunge pool as well as a spa and a larger pool in a separate courtyard.

Price: Doubles from €230 (£199)

Best hotel for laid-back charm: Riad El Mezouar

Neighbourhood: Medina

Follow a day in the Medina with a cooling dip at Riad El Mezaour (Adam Batterbee/Riad El Mezaour)

Amid the squawking chickens and tiny food shops in the less touristy, eastern part of the Medina known as Issebtinne, Riad El Mezouar offers peace and relaxation within this 17th-century former palace. Its British owner used local materials and craftsmen to renovate the five bedrooms, including traditional hand-cut tiles and Moroccan tadelakt plastering. Cool off in the central swimming pool or chill out on the rooftop terrace. Book in advance if you want lunch or dinner.

Price: Doubles from €170 (£148)

Best hotel for families: Es Saadi Marrakech Resort

Neighbourhood: Hivernage

Kids young and old will love the collection of lagoons, swimming pools and exotic gardens at Es Saadi Marrakech Resort (Es Saadi Marrakech Resort)

If the interior of Es Saadi looks familiar, that’s because it stood in for the Cairo luxury hotel in the BBC’s adaptation of The Night Manager. This sprawling resort includes the wonderfully opulent Le Palace, the more conventional L’Hotel and some seriously luxurious villas and ksars (Berber-style mini-castles). They all cluster around a fantasy land of exotic gardens, lagoons, swimming pools, children’s play areas and Marrakech’s first casino. Then there are the eight restaurants, four bars, spa, nightclub and boutiques.

Best hotel for cool minimalism: Riad UP

Neighbourhood: Medina

A cool and calming colour palatte characterises Riad UP (Riad UP)

If your eyes need a rest from the Medina’s riot of colour, Riad UP is the place to soothe them. Mallorcan designer Elsa Bauza has transformed a former palace into a relaxing riad of six rooms, living and dining rooms, an uncluttered patio courtyard and a plunge pool. The style is refreshingly simple without being stark, with plain fireplaces, soft leather furnishings and warm Berber woollen blankets. Head up to the roof terrace for city views and comfortable sun loungers. Lunch and dinner are available, if you order in advance.

Read more: This Moroccan mountain town is perfect for a short break

Best hotel for rural chic: Les Deux Tours

Neighbourhood: La Palmeraie

Relax in the in-house spa at Les Deux Tours (Les Deux Tours)

It’s only 5km from the Medina, but Les Deux Tours in La Palmeraie is in its own green, heavily fragrant world. Surrounded by three hectares of gardens, lily ponds and a large swimming pool, the hotel and its spa lull you into a state of bliss. Airy rooms are in a modern Moorish style and open out into those wonderful gardens, and some include private pools. Choose from two restaurants on site, or take the free shuttle into the city, if you want a jolt back into reality.

Best hotel for Medina views: Riad 72

Neighbourhood: Medina

Head to Riad 72 for one of the highest roof terraces in the Medina (Riad 72)

Milan meets Marrakech in the 13 rooms and sublime roof terrace of Riad 72. Set in an easy-to-reach spot in Bab Doukkala near Dar El Bacha palace, the riad features Italian decorative touches to go with its plush, soft Moroccan fabrics and, in some rooms, original cedar wood ceilings. Dinner is served in the gorgeous courtyard patio (book ahead), and the roof terrace is believed to be the highest in the Medina.

Price: Doubles from €194 (£168)

Best hotel for history-lovers: Palais Riad Lamrani

Neighbourhood: Medina

The lush central courtyard at Palais Lamrani (Palais Lamrani)

Built by the Lamrani family a century ago, this six-room palace riad is a showpiece for the family’s fantastic collection of furniture, gathered from all over Europe and the Middle East. Among the Regency and Victorian splendour is the equally luscious central courtyard garden, which becomes even more magical during candlelit dinners. There’s another courtyard with a pool, and the roof terrace features a little gym to go with its sun loungers and Medina views.

Read more: This glam new desert camp is just a short drive from Marrakech

Best hotel for getting away from it all: Jnane Tamsna

Neighbourhood: La Palmeraie

Escape the crowds at Jnane Tamsna (Jnane Tamsna)

An American ethnobotanist and his wife, a French-Senegalese interior designer, joined forces to create the exquisite Jnane Tamsna, set in 22 hectares of lavish gardens in La Palmeraie. Its 24 bedrooms are arranged in five houses, many with their own patios and all designed in a way that seamlessly brings together African, Maghreb and Indian designs. Five swimming pools and a tennis court are tucked in there too, and you could also try your hand at a cooking class or yoga.

Price: Doubles from €195 (£170)

Best affordable hotel: Riad Tizwa

Neighbourhood: Medina

Riad Tizwa: chic and affordable (Riad Tizwa)

British brothers Daniel and Richard Bee run this chilled-out riad within spitting distance of Dar El Bacha palace. Its six rooms are traditionally Moroccan without being fussy, and balconies overlook the flower-filled courtyard garden. Enjoy a generous breakfast on the lovely roof terrace, where you can also have dinner, if you book in advance.

Best hotel for romance: AnaYela

Neighbourhood: Medina

Enjoy a dip in the limestone pool during your stay (Riad Anayela)

The story of this 300-year-old riad is pure enchantment: a love letter, written by 16-year-old Yela just before her wedding, was discovered here, and its contents have been creatively woven into the design of the former palace and its five luxurious rooms. The whole place has been beautifully restored, and there’s also a limestone pool. You can even head up to the roof terrace and get cosy under the tented tower where young Yela fell in love.

Price: Doubles from €180 (£156)

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