The C&TH Pick Of Marrakech’s Best Places To Stay

10 hours ago

Five idyllic oases

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Planning a Moroccan adventure? From the bustling souks of the Medina to the serene gardens of Majorelle, each corner of Marrakech reveals another gem. Nestled at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, are five of the best places to stay in the Red City.

Best Hotels In Marrakech

Le Farnatchi

Le Farnatchi has long done a good turn at beautiful rooms in a series of renovated riads in the Medina, but the property came into its own during the period after 2023’s devastating earthquake. The owners quickly transformed the kitchens into a force for good, creating and distributing thousands of nourishing meals to local families and communities in the hard-hit Atlas mountains. Visit now for heartfelt service, delicious rooftop dining and great local connections.

Double rooms at Le Farnatchi from £260 including breakfast.

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Riad Rosemary

Best for: Unique design

Owned by artist Laurence Leenaert, Riad Rosemary is a fresh take on the traditional riad. She spent several years painstakingly renovating this historical home, working with a fleet of local artisans to create her own custom designs, from intricate zellige tiled walls, to abstract Berber rugs, squiggly plasterwork and a terrazzo floor inlaid with 8,000 marble lozenges. Her ceramics are everywhere, including the cool courtyard and sun-washed rooftop, her vases and plates covered with whimsical dabs, smiling suns and slogans such as ‘Tu es le soleil de mon coeur’.

Doubles from £233 including breakfast.

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The Oberoi

Best for: Private villas

Push the boat out and take your own villa at the sprawling Oberoi, set in fragrant citrus and olive gardens about 20 minutes outside the city centre. Each villa comes complete with a little private garden and plunge pool; the design of the rooms is cool and collected, but head to the main building to be wowed by the ornate central courtyard, based on the 14th-century Medersa Ben Youssef, an Islamic madrasa. There’s a swish spa, three lovely restaurants (Rivayat serves the best Indian food in the city, as you’d expect), but it’s the staff that really shine – friendly, charming and fiercely efficient.

Deluxe room with private pool from £950, including breakfast.

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El Fenn

Best for: Rooftop fabulousness

Vanessa Branson’s original Marrakech riad hotel goes from strength to strength, its series of historical houses connected by slinky, sexy corridors and shady courtyards, providing the perfect retreat from the mayhem outside. There are stylish rooms, a cracking concept store and a pocket-sized spa, but the jewel in the crown is the rooftop, a sprawling bar and restaurant with a proper sundowner vibe. Look out over Koutoubia Mosque with a hibiscus flower margarita and then saunter over to the candy-striped restaurant for smoked squash with chickpeas or slow-roasted lamb.

Double rooms from £290 per night, including breakfast and afternoon tea.

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The Main Pool at IZZA

IZZA

Best for: Cutting edge art

Seven old homes in the Medina have been connected to create this beautiful warren, focussed on three peaceful courtyards and with a dreamy rooftop restaurant. There are 14 jewel-box-like bedrooms and a lovely 10m-long lap pool in one of the courtyards, but what really makes this place stand out is its modern art. Showcasing a 300-strong collection of contemporary and digital art in its various spaces, the effect is a pleasing contrast to the traditional craftwork of the decor – think zellige tiles, mosaics and intricate plaster work.

Double rooms from £166 including breakfast, airport transfer on arrival and a welcome drink or 45-minute massage in IZZA’s spa and hammam.

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