There is something so special about checking into a riad hotel in Marrakech. All throughout the medina these traditional homes designed around a central courtyard have been converted into beautiful boutique hotels that offer a distinctly Moroccan stay with a stylish twist. But how do you know which riad hotels in Marrakech are worth booking? Luckily for you I’ve stayed at 3 beautiful places that cater to different types of travellers. Here are the riad hotels I highly recommend.
IZZA
Best for couples
This brand-new boutique riad hotel I stayed at in December 2023 completely blew me away.
7 riads in the middle of Marrakech’s medina have been combined into one luxury retreat and now 14 individually decorated rooms pay homage to past friends of Marrakech.
IZZA’s striking design, inspired by interior designer Bill Willis who created some of Marrakech’s most famous homes, is seamlessly combined with comfort to create the ultimate stylish stay in Marrakech.
I stayed in Jack, a room inspired by Kerouac, that came with copies of On The Road carefully placed on a vintage writing desk.
But my room, which also boasted a zellige-tiled wet room and sumptuous wall-to-wall bed, was just one part of what makes this riad so great.
Because IZZA has everything you need for a luxury stay in Marrakech.
The rooftop restaurant serves some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in the city alongside spellbinding views and eye-catching art work. The heated main pool and miniature spa and hammam offer year-round relaxation; a further 2 plunge pools & rooftop sun loungers offer aesthetic places to cool off during the summer heat.
IZZA also has a tea salon, Bill’s cocktail bar, a fitness centre (with Peloton treadmill), a library and many hidden seating areas where you relax with a book or soak up some of the unique blend of traditional and contemporary artwork.
Art is a key part of this property. Known as the ‘Museum in the medina’, IZZA boasts a global art collection of over 300 pieces of contemporary and digital art and one of the world’s most significant physical exhibitions of NFT’s (Non-Fungible Token artworks). It’s a dazzling collection worth over £5 million that will turn your head as you meander around the riad.
With all of Marrakech’s main attractions, including Jardin Marjorelle and Ben Youssef Madrassa, within walking distance, IZZA is in a perfect location for exploring the city. You just have to tear yourself away from this little oasis first!
Rooms from €165 per night. Book here.
Riad Nelia De Marrakech Hotel Boutique & Spa
Best for solo travellers
Riad Nelia is a stylish, budget-friendly riad in the medina of Marrakech. With 11 cosy neutral rooms starting from approx. £75/night, this riad hotel is a great option for solo female travellers.
The pool and courtyard have been thoughtfully designed in a style that has become synonymous with Marrakech. The rooftop is a soulful place to relax and enjoy complimentary tea and sweet treats with the distant sounds of drumming coming from Jemaa El Fna in the background.
At the time of my stay in 2022 the riad only offered breakfast so there wasn’t the option to have lunch and dinner here. But there are lots of great options within walking distance and the staff were great at helping me navigate the city.
Rooms from €92 per night. Book here.
Top tips for visiting Marrakech
Riad Palais Calipau
Best for families
It’s not easy to find family-friendly riads in Marrakech because the rooms do tend to be so compact but at Riad Palais Calipau they have a traditional Moroccan style family suite that sleeps 2 adults and 2 children.
Situated in the Kasbah area, this riad is removed from the melee of the medina but close to must-see sights like Bahia Palace. The roads are also slightly wider in the Kasbah, which means there isn’t as far to walk from the taxi to the door of your riad, something which becomes important if you’re shepherding children and all their belongings!
I stayed in this family room in 2022 with 2 of my girlfriends for the bargain price of £30 each per night; it’s the perfect choice for girls’ getaways as well as families.
We loved the cake-filled breakfast on the rooftop terrace and how easy it was to arrange taxis via the riad on WhatsApp. We also loved indulging ourselves in a spa and hammam at the beautiful Les Bains de Marrakech which is just down the road. We basically splurged all the money we saved by sharing a room on indulgent experiences, like a pool day at the Royal Mansour, instead. Find our full 3-day itinerary for a girls’ getaway in Marrakech here.
Rooms from €69 per night. Book here.
Best for a treat
If you’re celebrating a special occasion and have a bit more money to play with, some luxury places to stay in Marrakech that I recommend are:
Read next: Top tips for visiting Marrakech
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. I stayed as a guest of IZZA in December 2023. All opinions are my own.
