The best hotels in Marrakech, Morocco

If you are a romantic, a color junkie, a garden obsessive, and/or a serious shopper, Marrakech will woo you with the scents of jasmine, honey, and orange, the Majorelle blues and dusty pink hues, and the tiled and verdant desert oases — terraces, courtyards, gardens, and rooftops where winter sun is guaranteed.

There are so many reasons to love The Red City. So many reasons to book a trip.

And when you do, you'll have to figure out where to stay. You'll be spoiled for choices, because the hotel scene in this town is outstanding.

Your first consideration will be location. Do you want to be in or near the medina in a luxury hotel or a riad (former private homes with courtyards), or do you want to stay in a palace hotel outside the city (which requires a 20-30 minute taxi ride to the medina)? Both are excellent options; it just depends what you want.

Here's a cheat sheet to our favorites.

In the City

Royal Mansour — when you want to live like the king. (Literally: It’s his.)
La Mamounia — is this a garden-filled resort, or are you living in a movie?
Villa des Orangers — a Relais & Châteaux riad in a serene setting.
Tarabel — a discreet stunner with painted walls, candelabra, and antiques.
Dar Rhizlane — walk on rose petals to your bourgeois villa.
La Sultana — an elegant, feminine complex of riads.
La Maison Arabe — absolutely charming courtyards, cookery, location.
Riad Farnatchi — high-end hospitality and design in the traditional style.
Riad Mena & Beyond — mid-century minimal house run by chic Londoner.
El Fenn — colorful, boutiquey choice for fashiony girls.
Rosemary — LRNCE designers’ intimate riad celebrating local crafts.
Riad Jardin Secret — artists-in-residence love the beauty in its simplicity.
Riad Romeo — Romeo Gigli’s fashiony fever dream of Byzantine details.
Maison Brummell Majorelle — cozy, high design near YSL gardens.
Dar Kawa — black and white palette makes for a striking effect.
Dar Rbaa Laroub — petite bang-for-your-buck beauty starts at $80 per night.
MORO Boutique Hotel — funky ten-roomer in the spirit of its namesake shop.

Outside the City

The Oberoi, Marrakech — Indian opulence + Moroccan design. Killer spa.
Beldi Country Club — more funky village than resort; great for families.
Selman — oversized pool; top-notch stables and equestrian facilities.
Amanjena — splurge-y Aman resort en route to the desert.
Jnane Tamsna — blooms with elegant houses, pools, tennis courts.
Berber Lodge — traditional romantic architecture and old olive trees.
Farasha Farmhouse — a serene stay on a regenerative farm.

And here are the rest of our favorites — the shops, sites, restaurants, nightlife, fixers, experiences, and excursions.