It’s a cliché, of course, but there’s truly nowhere quite like Marrakech. Sitting at a historic crossroads between Europe, Africa, and the Arab world, the city’s blend of cultures remains as complex and dazzling as one of the spice blends you’ll find stacked into pyramids within its labyrinthine souks. And whether you’re there to wander through the dusty brick corridors of its mosques and palaces or sip on gunpowder mint tea—or simply to browse the stalls of those aforementioned souks and pick up a pair of colorful leather babouches—it offers a bombardment of the senses like no other.
Still, there’s a deeper reason why generations of stylish travelers have gravitated to Marrakech, seeking to channel its unique spirit of glamour and grit. The unforgettable images of the Rolling Stones drifting through the streets in spiffy tailoring, or Talitha Getty in a breezy caftan on the roof of her riad in a richly patterned jacket and harem pants. The wonders of Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle, with its cacti and exotic plants against a sea of cobalt blue, and the journey through fashion history offered in the adjoining museum. Or, the more recent generations of fashion glitterati who flock to the city in search of inspiration and creative nourishment, from Jean-Paul Gaultier to John Galliano, and whose collections have been inspired by the city’s distinctive aesthetic.
Playing no small part in Marrakech’s popularity as a tourist destination, too, is the head-spinning array of world-class hotels the city has under its belt, from legendary destinations like La Mamounia, to playfully-designed riads like El Fenn and Jasper Conran’s L’Hotel, to buzzy new upstarts like the Nobu Marrakech with its lively rooftop bar and pool.
Here, find Vogue’s pick of the very best Marrakech hotels—from intimate, homely stays in the heart of the medina, to the tranquil estates owned by global hotel brands with every luxury imaginable on the fringes of the city.
Amanjena
Arriving at Amanjena is an experience in and of itself: you’ll be whizzed through the dusty outskirts of the city in a private transfer, ushered into its monumental gates, and then quickly welcomed by a hot towel and Moroccan tea. Yet the most theatrical element of all is the epic backdrop against which this slickly choreographed hospitality takes place: the grand courtyard first glimpsed through a rose-pink Moorish arch, and then revealed to house a breathtakingly expansive pond, lit up at dusk by flaming torches. Storks graze at the corner under the shadows of palm fronds, while songbirds chirrup around you—if there’s such a thing as paradise on earth, Amanjena is about as close to it as you’re likely to find.
Consisting of 34 “pavilions” and “maisons” (there’s no such thing as a mere room or suite here) each private enclave features a private pool, a colonnaded area with a fireplace to relax in the evening, and interiors featuring Berber rugs and glittering Venetian-style domes under which you can take a long soak in your green marble bathtub. The food is excellent: at lunch, you can take wood-fired pizzas overlooking the undulating, lush green hills of a neighboring golf cause with views of the Atlas Mountains in the far distance, or simply laze by the pool with a salad. In the evening, there’s a candlelit traditional Moroccan restaurant with gentle live music, or a top-notch sushi restaurant, Nama, where you can enjoy smoky tuna tataki and yellowtail usuzukuri, the fish shipped in fresh from Essaouira every morning.
As with all the Aman outposts, the service at Amanjena is impeccable—by the second day, the staff has already cottoned on to and shared notes about your routine, bringing you a poolside iced coffee just before you were about to ask for it, or keeping a dinner table by the fireplace as you had it the evening before—and the spa, offering everything from traditional hammam experiences to yoga and private tennis lessons, is second to none. I arrived with plans to use the shuttle service into the city center to explore the medina, but after 48 hours, I realized I hadn’t left the grounds. When everything is this heavenly, why would you want to?
Address: Route de Ouarzazate، Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Royal Mansour
Upon first sighting the dramatic entryways to the Royal Mansour, embedded in the walls of the imperial city, it’s clear you’re entering a different kind of Moroccan paradise: one that’s located just steps away from the bustling heart of the medina, yet is contained within an enormous garden oasis (and reached through a pair of imposing bronze gates) that somehow makes you feel like you’re within the middle of nowhere. An effect heightened when, after check-in, you’re whisked from the intricate splendor of its courtyard lobby and through to the rambling pedestrian streets that lead you to your very own private riad.
You could be mistaken for thinking you were winding your way through some kind of historic village. But it turns out the entire complex was commissioned by King Mohammed VI and constructed in three years by 1,200 master artisans before opening in 2010, making it an unparalleled showcase of contemporary Moroccan craftsmanship, even if the decor’s opulence and meticulous attention to detail does feel like stepping back into another age. Within your riad—with its almost obscenely plush beds, mosaic-covered fireplaces, and private roof deck—you’ll feel a little like a king yourself.
Once you’re ready to get lost within the hotel’s winding alleyways, you might stumble upon the recently refurbished spa complex (at 27,000 square feet and decorated with jaw-dropping gleaming white traceries, it’s undoubtedly the best in the city) or find an opening in the gardens that leads you to the enormous pool, edged by private cabanas. Unsurprisingly, the food options are head-spinningly varied too, from the Moroccan fine dining of La Grande Table Marocaine to the superb Venetian food on offer at Sesamo, courtesy of the Alajmo brothers; the calamari “cappuccino”—just order it—is out of this world.
Peek over the rooftops of your own little village, and you’ll easily spot the city beyond—and possibly a glimpse of the Royal Mansour’s crown jewel, too, the palatially-proportioned “grand riad” that has played host to some of the world’s glitziest A-listers over the past decade or so. Naturally, the staff was too discrete to reveal exactly who, but it’s not hard to see why the Royal Mansour would be the ultimate Marrakech celebrity favorite—you’re in the heart of the action, yet can exist in the utmost privacy.
Address: Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti، 40000, Morocco
El Fenn
For anyone seeking a truly design-forward (yet still decidedly luxurious) stay, make a beeline for El Fenn. Opened by Vanessa Branson, the sister of Richard and an entrepreneur in her own right, back in 2004, the hotel has only continued to expand over the decades since into what is inarguably the city’s most personality-packed retreat, located right on the edge of the medina. It may be a jet-set magnet (in particular for those adjacent to the worlds of art and fashion) but El Fenn wears its status lightly, with the emphasis very much on bohemian comfort rather than anything more flashy.
To start with the impossibly photogenic decor—because where else would one start?—El Fenn’s riotous kaleidoscope of color somehow manages to feel soothing rather than abrasive, and every individually-designed room is packed with delightful, eye-catching details. (Mine featured a roll-top copper bathtub, hand-stitched camel leather floors, an outdoor shower, and a roaring fireplace for when the desert climate sees temperatures drop in the evenings.) You’re right in the heart of the action here, but there’s not always an impetus to leave given everything that’s on offer within El Fenn’s bougainvillea-filled courtyards: three pools, a spa, a yoga deck, endless nooks and crannies for curling up with a book, and a genuinely world-class boutique selling everything from glassware to slippers made by the very best of local artisans.
The food here is superb, too: a lunch menu offers a selection of five seasonal Moroccan salads which are all seasonal and mouth-wateringly fresh, while in the evening, you can tuck into feather-light ravioli with mushrooms from the Atlas mountains or fresh fish grilled to perfection with local spices—and, of course, a cocktail or two from the marble-clad bar. Sitting under the canopies of the rooftop on one of the colorful banquettes, as the tremulous strains of the call to prayer waft by and the lights of the city glitter beyond, it’s a slice of unique Moroccan magic.
Address: Derb Moulay Abdullah Ben Hezzian, 2, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
Selman Marrakech
While many of the grand estate hotels on the fringes of the city are operated by international luxury hotel groups, the Selman is both independent and Moroccan-owned—and it wears its ties to the local culture with pride. Here, you’ll get the full Marrakech palace fantasy: After being whisked through the imposing gates, you’ll pass through a network of magnificent courtyards separated by velvet curtains and lit by Murano chandeliers, and then out to the terrace which overlooks the resort’s sparkling centerpiece, an 80-metre pool lined with Guatemalan marble that leads the eye up to its unparalleled views of the Atlas Mountains. (And while checking in, you’ll be served a pot of Moroccan mint tea, naturally.)
Yet beyond the resort’s uber-luxurious trappings, you’ll find plenty of soul, too. The interiors were overseen by the famed French architect Jacques Garcia, and the overall effect—while certainly opulent—also feels inviting, with roaring fireplaces in the winter and strains of live Andalusian folk music being played most evenings. The hotel’s unique offering also speaks to the distinctive personalities of its owners, the Bennani Smires family: one of the two siblings who oversee the hotel has a serious passion for Arabian thoroughbred horses, meaning the hotel has its own (rather glamorous: the walls are covered in a wash of earthy red paint, and glittering tin lanterns hang from the ceiling) stables with 16 of them for every guest to admire. You can simply wander down there of a morning to watch the horses being groomed and fed, or enjoy a show in the outdoor paddocks during one of the hotel’s epic Sunday brunches, or even book in at the spa for a session of equine therapy.
On which note: the spa here is truly a thing of wonder. As one of only six Chenot Spas worldwide—Chenot being the pioneering wellness program first developed in northern Italy 50 years ago—the one- to six-day “journeys” will appeal to hardcore health seekers. But you can, of course, also undergo your traditional hammam rituals, massages, and facials here—and in truly spectacular surroundings, whether the lavishly decorated network of indoor pools, saunas, and steam rooms, or the tranquil pair of outdoor pools (one warm, one cool) where you can sun yourself after your soak under swaying palms. The hotel’s beauty lies in its firm sense of place: On my final night at the resort, I was invited to enjoy a private dinner in the stables, where—between heaving platters of traditional Moroccan salads, tagines, and grilled meats—we were treated to a parade of some of the most beautiful horses I’ve ever seen. (Seriously: those braids!) It’s the kind of magic you can only conjure when those overseeing things are Marrakishi through and through.
Address: HXFH+5QC، Km5 Route d'Amizmiz, Marrakech 40160, Morocco
L’Hotel Marrakech
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to settle into a home away from home, then L’Hotel Marrakech is the one for you. Located at the end of a winding tangle of alleyways, the relatively inconspicuous entrance of this 18th-century palace consists of a wooden door and a buzzer: a quick ring and you’ll be ushered inside by one of the cheery, attentive staff, and led through its corridors to the idyllic inner courtyard filled with swaying palms and orange trees, and then invited to sit on one of its sumptuous white ottoman couches as you’re breezed through check-in. There’s no reception, or fiddly paperwork. Instead, it feels just like you’re visiting the holiday residence of a long-time friend; albeit the most stylish friend you know.
L’Hotel’s design credentials are second-to-none. First opened in 2016 and housing just five rooms, this bijou property is the brainchild of none other than Jasper Conran, the British fashion and homewares guru for whom Morocco has become something of a second home. (Conran recently opened a new outpost of his burgeoning hotel empire, Villa Mabrouka, in the coastal city of Tangiers.) The decor is a case study in laid-back glamour: touches of 1930s Art Deco blend seamlessly with traditional Moroccan wooden furniture and decorative rugs, while canopied four-poster beds sit neatly alongside artworks from Conran’s own collection, including a striking portrait of an Indian maharajah.
Of course, it wouldn’t feel like a luxurious homestay without some fabulous home cooking, and the chefs here more than lives up to the task. At dusk, the drawing room is reconfigured into a relaxed dining area, serving Moroccan cuisine with an artful twist, from crisp fish pastillas to a richly flavorful beef and quince tagine. If you want to relax on the roof terrace, the waiters will happily bring up a kaleidoscopic array of salads for you to snack on at lunchtime; if you want to venture into the city proper, it’s mere steps from your door, as the hotel is in the heart of the authentic neighborhood of Bab Doukkala. The final masterstroke? A 10-meter-long saltwater pool (a rarity in this part of town) so you can cool off after a baking-hot day wandering the Marrakech streets. L’Hotel may be small, but it has it all.
Address: 41 Derb Lahcen ou Ali, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
The Oberoi Marrakech
If you’re looking for full, five-star palatial grandeur, then The Oberoi Marrakech—the only Moroccan outpost from the Indian luxury hotel group known for their beyond-impeccable service—delivers that in spades. Designed as an homage to the 16th-century Medresa Ben Youssef college, one of the city’s most notable architectural landmarks, the imposing complex of courtyards at the heart of the resort reveals itself slowly. First, you’ll walk through the dramatic outdoor plaza with its sweeping square pond, the enormous pastel pink plaster central building looming beyond; sweep through its airy corridors lavished with zellij tiles, and through the courtyard lit by blazing outdoor flames, and the epic vistas across 28 acres of gardens beyond are revealed, extending to the Atlas Mountains beyond.
Yet while the scale of the place is colossal, somehow, it doesn’t feel cold. In part, you can thank the service—which more than lives up to the Oberoi reputation—for that, as your local butler whisks you away in a golf buggy to one of the villas that sprawl across the property, most of which feature private pools and are also decorated in the finest examples of delicate Moroccan craftsmanship, without going blindingly OTT. The first thing you’ll want to do, though, is explore the grounds: whether to take in the sprawling spa complex which sits on its own island, or to wander through the fragrant citrus and olive groves, or simply visit the two in-house donkeys Sugar and Brownie. (And don’t forget to carve out some time to splash around in the 30-metre pool—there’s nowhere more refreshing after spending a morning browsing the dusty alleyways of the souks.)
Top marks here for the food, too, which begins with a head-spinning breakfast spread—alongside the pastries and fruit and cheeses arranged across the cavernous central hall of its Tamint restaurant, you can also order Moroccan shakshuka and Indian dosa à la carte—and ends with a crowd-pleasing menu of Mediterranean classics in the same venue, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the mountains fading in the distance over plates of succulent spider crab tartare or clay-baked seabass slathered in a local citrus beurre blanc. The real star of the show on the culinary front, however, is Rivayat: overseen by the Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, it serves as a nod to the hotel’s Indian origins, delivering a superb tasting menu of elevated street food that is best enjoyed in the atmospheric environs of the dazzling candlelit central courtyard. The Oberoi may offer theatrical Moroccan splendor dialed up to the absolute max, but it has plenty of spirit, too.
Address: Tribu R'hamna - Fraction Touhina, Marrakech, Marrakech Tansift Elhouz, 40000
Mandarin Oriental Marrakech
Arriving at the Mandarin Oriental Marrakech, the first thing that will make your jaw drop is the scale. In a city where plenty of hotels could stake a claim to be the biggest and boldest, the sheer enormity of the complex—which opened in 2015 as a sleeker, more contemporary alternative to the city’s grande dame hotels—is a sight in and of itself. Walking through the glass-walled central atrium and out onto the expansive veranda, the landscaped gardens, pools, and olive groves appear to stretch as far as the eye can see, framing a picture-postcard view of the Atlas Mountains, their lightly snow-capped peaks entangled with pillows of horizontal cloud.
While the layout and some of the more subtle architectural details pay homage to Moroccan traditions, the overall emphasis here is firmly on the new: nowhere more so than in one of its 54 (yes, 54) villas, which could easily stake a claim as the city’s most luxurious set-up. Push through the vertiginous wooden doors, and you’ll find your own private paradise: a swimming pool and jacuzzi, outdoor lounging areas, king-size beds draped with crisp white linens, and a vast bathroom and dressing area complete with your own private hammam. With all the high-tech bells and whistles you might expect from a recently-built hotel of this caliber, you could happily order room service on your digital tablet and never leave.
But then you’d miss the sprawling Andalusian-inspired spa and cutting-edge fitness center—the morning yoga classes surrounded by lush, fragrant gardens are a must—or the pleasingly varied selection of food on offer, including a Chinese restaurant from the team behind Hakkasan serving top-tier dim sum and wok-fried spiny lobster. (There’s only so much tagine you can eat after a few days in Morocco, after all.) And while it might be a 15-minute drive from the medina, if you can tear yourself away, there’s a free shuttle whisking guests to and from the city center all day long. Truly the best of both worlds.
Address: Rte Golf Royal, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
La Mamounia
If you were drawing up a shortlist of the world’s most legendary hotels, La Mamounia would sit comfortably near the top of that list. A veritable institution, the sprawling estate located just within the city’s imperial walls was first established in 1923, and has played host to a mind-boggling rollcall of celebrity guests over the decades—everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Mick Jagger has laid their head on its soft linen sheets, while Winston Churchill once called the hotel “one of the best I’ve ever used.” Quite the endorsement.
Still, La Mamounia has never wished to rest on its laurels. While the hotel still retains its old-world charm—its interiors are a visual feast of dazzling, naturally-lit tile-covered courtyards and moodier, subdued spaces with lacquered wood shimmering in the candelight—a top-to-toe refurbishment in 2020 by Jouin Manku has given it a new lease of life. Not only have the gorgeous decor stylings been given a gentle refresh to bring it firmly into the 21st century, but its already impressive offering of restaurants and amenities has expanded even further: there are two new restaurants, serving Italian and pan-Asian fare, overseen by the legendary French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten; meanwhile, the famous Churchill Bar, which feels like stepping back in time to Marrakech’s mid-century heyday, has been transformed into an intimate setting for champagne and caviar.
The sheer range of things to do within La Mamounia’s walls is near-unrivaled: there’s an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, a breathtakingly opulent spa complex, a cinema, and the mind-boggling Le Marocain restaurant, which is housed in its very own riad within the hotel’s grounds. But what lends it its unique magic is the hospitality: every one of the hotel’s 600 or so staff is as attentive as could possibly be, and manage to make the colossal scale of the place feel somehow intimate. It doesn’t take long to realize that La Mamounia has remained one of the world’s most prestigious hotels for a reason.
Address: Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakesh 40040, Morocco
La Sultana
Struggling to pick between a riad hotel in the thick of the action, or one of the colossal resorts with swimming pools and acres of gardens on the outskirts of the city? La Sultana offers the best of both worlds. Still centrally located—it’s tucked away in the heart of the old Medina, near some of the city’s most significant historic sites, including the Saadian Tombs and Bahia Palace—it also feels reassuringly removed, not least thanks to the enormous rooftop terrace that covers all five of the adjoining and artfully seamed together riads that make up the hotel. (In fact, it’s the largest hotel roof terrace in the area, with some 2,000 square feet of lush gardens, plunge pools, dining areas, and even an outdoor kitchen for cooking classes.)
Equally as impressive as the scale of the place, however, is the attention to detail. First, in the dazzling craftsmanship—hand-carved wooden doors, marble staircases, vaulted ceilings, zellij tiling, you name it—that adorns every surface, lending it the feel of having stepped into the world’s biggest jewel box. Just as thoughtful and painstaking is the service: upon arrival, our bags were whisked away by porters in delightful red cloaks and matching fez caps, and we were led up to a leafy seating area overlooking the city to complete our check-in over Moroccan mint tea. And while the communal areas can be overwhelming in their exotic opulence—each riad courtyard has its own, eye-popping design scheme—the bedrooms are intentionally more cozy, with walls painted soothing shades of crimson and purple, and plush king-sized beds for when you want to close the shutters, light the candles, and rest after a long day of wandering the souks.
If you’re really in the mood to relax, there’s also a stylish (and sizeable) brick-lined indoor pool, which is lit up at night and surrounded by tables for guests to enjoy a menu of French-Moroccan dishes, as well as one of the best spas in the city: a marble-lined paradise with a wellness philosophy that blends ancient Roman and North African traditions. But really, it’s all about that rooftop—whether you’re looking for a corner to curl up with a book, or enjoy an aperitivo as the sun dips below the rooftops of the medina beyond, casting them in a rich amber glow. And don’t miss the opportunity to grab lunch at La Table du Souk, the charming top-floor restaurant that has one of the best views in the city, directly overlooking the Saadian Tombs: the menu of seasonal Moroccan salads, seafood platters, and grilled lobster is incredibly decadent yet somehow feels effortless. A little like La Sultana as a whole.
Address: 403 Rue de la Kasbah, Marrakech, 40000
Le Farnatchi
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to riads in the heart of the Marrakech medina, but Le Farnatchi is a long-time favorite for a reason—here, you’ll not only find a haven of tasteful, restrained style, but plenty of authentic charm alongside it. The location, it’s worth noting, is unbeatable: you’re a few minutes from the edge of the souk, but just removed enough for it to feel somewhat peaceful. But that means it takes a little initiative to actually find the place: tucked away down an alleyway near the Medresa Ben Youssef college, the only sign of life is a small cabin outside the doorway that you might occasionally find a porter sitting at, ready to greet guests.
Step inside, and the Tardis-like scale of Le Farnatchi reveals itself, spread across a number of interconnecting courtyards: one with a small pool to take a cooling dip on a hot Moroccan afternoon, and another that was fragrant with the scent of orange blossoms when I visited in the spring. (The second also leads through to the spa complex, which features an impressively wide range of treatments, as well as your usual spray and scrub of a hammam ritual, here undertaken in exquisitely tiled private rooms.)
Le Farnatchi was one of the first riad hotels of its kind when it was opened in 2004 by the British couple James and Alex Wix, whose vision has been much emulated over the decades since—but there’s a reason this particular hotel is still going strong. More specifically, the feel is as if your (albeit supremely stylish) good friend’s home, with the decor in every room offering a chic, laid-back twist on classic Moroccan design staples, from intricate wall carvings in the bathrooms to Berber-style throws across the beds. Oh, and make sure to check out the hotel’s Le Trou Au Mur restaurant, which can be found just across the road: there are few spots quite as lovely to enjoy a meal of impeccably cooked Moroccan classics than on its candlelit rooftop in the evening.
Address: Derb el Farnatchi, Rue Souk el Fassis, Marrakech, 40000
Nobu Hotel Marrakech
The latest arrival to Marrakech’s ever-growing hotel scene, the Nobu Hotel Marrakech does things a little differently. First, there’s its location within the Hivernage district: still only a 15-minute walk from the medina, but with a more worldly, cosmopolitan feel thanks to the ritzy nightclubs that dot the nearby boulevards and hotspots (like the must-visit belly dancing restaurant Comptoir Darna) that remain popular with locals and visitors alike. Then, there’s the hotel’s architecture: you won’t find the typical nods to Moroccan architecture of centuries past here—or at least, they’re woven in more subtly. Just take the building’s striking exterior, with its sleek curved surfaces and latticed steel, that carefully leads your eye up to the hotel’s crown jewel: the rooftop bar, restaurant, and pool.
A quick elevator ride and you’ll be whizzed up for one of the most spectacular views in the city, from a 360-degree rooftop deck where you can sip cocktails, enjoy a casual dinner of seafood linguine or octopus grilled in a josper oven, or simply spend your morning lying by the pool. (It makes for a timely reminder that Marrakech is a brilliant getaway in winter too for those seeking a little sun.) Of course, this wouldn’t be a Nobu property without the brand’s signature restaurant, and you’ll find all the classics—black cod with miso, new-style sashimi, rock shrimp tempura—on the menu of the ground floor restaurant, where the vibe more closely dovetails with the Nobu aesthetic at large. (Think slats of dark Japanese wood and moody downlighting.)
The rooms are sleek and spacious, with all the five-star mod-cons you’d be expecting and minimalist nods to the local surroundings, while deep beneath the building lies an unmissable, sprawling spa complex with an indoor pool, hammams covered in twinkling, jewel-like mosaics, and treatments that span both Japanese and Moroccan wellness traditions. The hotel’s opening party earlier this year attracted a younger, more cosmopolitan international crowd than you might typically find at one of the city’s grande dame hotels—a fact that held true when I visited a month or so later. So if you’re looking for luxury—but still want to have a little fun, in a city that boasts an impressively vibrant nightlife scene—then the Nobu Marrakech is all but impossible to beat.
Address: Av. Echouhada et Rue du Temple Hivernage, Marrakech, 40000, Morocco
