Marrakech hotels

One of the best hotels in Marrakech, Royal Mansour is owned by Morocco's King Mohammed VI. The epitome of luxury, it boasts a prime central location between the Medina and Hivernage district. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be royalty, this hotel offers you that palatial experience.

As one of the top-rated hotels in Marrakech, it’s hard to find fault here. The 53 private riads are spread over three floors, with bedrooms featuring retractable glass roofs and private pools. I’m always amazed at the intricacy of the traditional Moroccan artistry throughout the hotel, where you’ll find an abundance of marble, elaborate tile mosaics, embellished lighting and rich fabrics.

But my favourite spot has to be the vast wellness spa, with its 13 treatment rooms. I had one of the best hair treatments and blow dries ever here.

The Oberoi Marrakech is the ideal spot for some serious pampering. Design-wise, it’s inspired by Marrakech’s historic monuments. Located a 20-minute drive from the city centre, you’ll arrive to expansive citrus and olive tree-filled orchards. And those views of the Atlas Mountains – wow.

Stemming from the owner’s Indian heritage, fine dining options include Rivayat, where a palace setting is complemented by an Indian menu created by Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai. Mediterranean and Moroccan menus are offered in other restaurants.

This is one of the best hotels in Marrakech for space. The smallest Deluxe Rooms are 70 sqm, while other room categories are individual villas or suites with private gardens and pools. I was really impressed by their Experiences menu, which includes sunrise yoga, cookery courses and private BBQ setups. Plus, curated wellness journeys incorporate ancient Indian remedies, Moroccan rituals, and other therapies in spa suites overlooking the lake.

One of the best-located luxury hotels in Marrakech, the Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is within walking distance of the Medina, Gueliz and Kasbah – three of my favourite areas. Its 139 rooms and suites are spread across several low-rise Moorish-style buildings centred around a pool. Water fountains and tall palms feature heavily throughout, giving it an urban oasis feel.

I love the friendly vibe created by the warm, professional staff. They’re always thinking ahead for you and offering thoughtful in-room treats.

This is also one of the best hotels in Marrakech for resort facilities, with four restaurants including ILOLI, a new Japanese spot on the rooftop with 360-degree city views. And I could spend hours scoffing pastries at the hotel’s breakfast buffet. Other facilities include two pools, tennis courts, different spaces for kids to play and a spa offering jet lag recovery and couples’ treatments.

The first thing I noticed about Amanjena is that everything is on a large scale. This space is felt in the rooms, gardens and main areas, where temple-like ceilings dwarfed me at first, but the airflow was appreciated on hotter days. Located a 15-minute drive from the city, it’s one of the best hotels in Marrakech if you’re looking to escape the city and be immersed in a ‘peaceful paradise’ (the translation of Amanjena).

The rose-hued clay walls reflect those of Marrakech’s Medina, while 40 pavilions and lodges are dotted around the hotel’s central water feature. The minimalist decor is softened by polished marble, wood-panelling, and mosaic-tiled floors. Houses offer private pools and outdoor pavilions for lounging in your private garden.

Personalised experiences, meanwhile, include intimate private dining, yoga in a garden shala, the LUX tennis academy’s professional coaching, and individually created hammam journeys in the spa.

Tradition and modernity are perfectly blended at the Mandarin Oriental. The 54 one-to-four-bedroom villas all have private pools and gardens, ideal for families. I loved the simplicity of the white and walnut colour palette – think white walls, cream rugs with Amazigh (Berber) motifs and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

The hotel is just a 15-minute drive southeast of the Medina, and a five-minute drive to MACAAL (Contemporary Art Gallery). But you might want to stay put and admire the 20 hectares of rose-scented gardens or splash in the outdoor pool. The holistic spa has a temple-like hammam, Thai treatment room, indoor pool and outdoor spa suites.

The Asian influence is carried seamlessly into dining options. Ling Ling by Hakkasan has a Cantonese menu and delicious cocktails, while Shirvan’s hybrid menu, with its Michelin-starred chef, infuses traditional Moroccan recipes with Asian spices.

La Sultana Marrakech is in the Kasbah, one of my favourite areas. It's just a few minutes’ walk to interesting sights such as Bahia Palace, and a 20-minute walk to the Medina.

The hotel itself is an ancient monument steeped in Moroccan history. Traditional artisan techniques have restored woodwork, original tiles and hand-carvings in plaster work – look up to take in the delicately hand-painted ceilings. There are just 28 rooms and suites, each unique.

Staff welcome you like family, and you’ll be given a mobile phone to liaise directly with your butler at any time. This is one of the best hotels in Marrakech for spa lovers – the underground spa reminds me of a Roman bathhouse, with pink marble columns reflecting sparkly lanterns. Book ahead for the Royal Hammam, which includes a massage with argan oil.

The sprawling rooftop has two restaurants, a terrace for cookery classes and views onto the neighbouring Saadian Tombs, one of the city’s finest monuments.

One of the original luxury riads in the Medina, Le Farnatchi remains one of the best hotels in Marrakech. Right next door to Ben Youssef Medersa, this is a traditional riad experience with modern twists. Each of the 10 luxury suites are different – some duplex, some with private terraces. All have roaring fires for cosy winter evenings and stand-out features such as headboards refashioned from antique door frames or indulgent bathtubs.

A pool in the interior courtyard has alcoves for relaxing. Meanwhile, the Farnatchi Spa is a highlight – I love the simplicity of the black, white and soft grey colour scheme. Candlelight completes the relaxing environment for hammams, massages and facials.

The in-house restaurant Le Trou au Mur offers Moroccan specialities in a fine dining setting, and focuses on reinventing old recipes that are disappearing from other menus due to how complex they are to make.

Located in the Medina, a few minutes’ walk from the Djemma el Fna main square, this is a luxury riad steeped in history. One of the best hotels in Marrakech, the same family has owned it for generations. The current owner, an antique dealer, recently opened a private museum for guests – pop in to see his collection of Moroccan antiques, jewellery and textiles.

The riad features a traditional layout, with a central courtyard and 11 spacious suites. I love the intricate details in the hand-carved plasterwork, turquoise-tiled pool, chandeliers and silverware.

True Moroccan hospitality is what makes this one of the top rated hotels in Marrakech. I feel like all their experiences, whether it’s breakfast on the terrace or afternoon tea in a white draped-alcove, are created with tradition and care. Book ahead for dinner in their popular restaurant – there are only nine tables – which offers an intimate Moroccan dining experience.

Part of a new movement of cutting-edge design hotels in the city, this is one of the best hotels in Marrakech for modern architecture fans. I love the minimalist decor and clean lines, as well as the shadows created on the rosy ochre walls, a play of light that changes throughout the day.

The hotel boasts a fantastic location in Gueliz, neighbouring the Jardins Majorelle. It’s an urban oasis for adults (only kids over 12 are allowed). The eight bedrooms are sparsely decorated, with pink polished concrete walls and grey terrazzo floors softened by chunky wool Moroccan rugs.

I loved the ‘at home’ feeling – you’re given a set of keys to come and go as you please (though friendly staff are still on hand to help with local tips). Communal breakfasts are enjoyed on the patio, encouraging conversation with fellow guests. There’s a small pool too for afternoon chill time.

This was one of the first fancy hotels in Marrakech; it recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Set in a prime location between the Medina and new districts, I could spend hours in the gardens, which are filled with towering palms, rose bushes and leafy olive trees.

Much-loved by loyal visitors, including royalty and heads of state (Sir Winston Churchill has a bar named after him), this is a place that exudes timeless elegance. It’s also one of the best hotels in Marrakech if you like tradition. I’m always looking for an excuse to go for high tea, served in their tea rooms, while the spa is a regal affair with column pillars, heated pools, and hammams.

The 135 rooms are classic Moroccan style, with luxurious touches of velvet, leather, marble and silk. You’ll also find several themed suites – check out the Koutoubia Suite for views of the Koutoubia Minaret.