Must-see hotels in Morocco

  • Riad Kasbah Oliver

    Central Morocco

    Owned by Tighza native Mohamed El Qasemy and his British wife Carolyn, Riad Kasbah Oliver is a labour of love. Built by hand from stone and earth by local…

  • Le Jardin des Biehn

    Medina

    This is a place you'll want to stay at again and again, just to try out all the eclectic rooms. Each one conveys its own whimsical story, through superb…

  • Kasbah Bab Ourika

    Ourika Valley

    Occupying an outstanding hilltop location in the Ourika Valley, this rammed-earth kasbah provides understated luxury, including uninterrupted views of…

  • Riad Bledna

    Marrakesh

    Welcome to the garden villa of the Moroccan-British Nour family, who pamper visitors as if they are favourite house guests. With eight rooms of spice…

  • Riad Azoulay

    Marrakesh

    The restoration of this 200-year-old mansion, once home to the wealthy Azoulay family, advisors to the royal family, was a labour of love for Italian…

  • El Minzah

    Tangier

    The classiest five-star hotel in Tangier proper, this beautifully maintained 1930s period piece offers three excellent restaurants, two equally good bars,…

  • Ali & Sara's Desert Palace

    Merzouga

    Make friends with Romeo, George and Casanova – no they aren’t cheeky local lads, but your trusty dromedaries – as you head out from Merzouga nomad-style…

  • Riad Berbère

    Kâat Ben Nahid & Bab Debbagh

    Besides having one of the most romantic garden courtyards in the medina, beloved by cats, it's the service and special little touches like free cucumber…

  • Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp

    Draa Valley

    A pebble's throw from Erg Chigaga's highest dune, this luxurious tented camp has 13 sumptuous tents furnished with wall-to-wall carpets, handcrafted beds…

  • Dar Ahansal

    High Atlas Mountains

    Atop Amezray the impressive rock-hewn dar (small house) of mountain guide Youssef Oulcadi rises organically out of the tough mountain landscape, its…

  • Dar Al Hossoun

    Taroudant

    This hotel is on a huge plot of land around 5km west of Taroudant, but its gardens are designed so that every space feels intimate, including two pools,…

  • Dar Nour

    Tangier

    This lovely peppermint-walled guesthouse has no central courtyard. Instead, rooms here branch off two winding staircases, creating a maze of dream-like…

  • Riad Noos Noos

    Marrakesh

    There's lots to love about Riad Noos Noos, starting with its mellow location in the Mellah, stork-viewing roof terrace and kooky retro style. Online deals…

  • Riad Dar Sofian

    Zagora

    This super-stylish desert oasis exudes understated luxury. The fabulous pisé (rammed-earth) edifice was constructed by a team from Skoura, while craftsmen…

  • Ryad Bahia

    Meknes

    This converted family home is a short walk from Place El Hedim. The main entrance opens onto a leafy courtyard, which also hosts a great restaurant. Rooms…

  • L'Ma Lodge

    Skoura

    This gorgeous lodge has seven spacious, light-filled rooms and suites, decorated with antiques, elegant furnishings and artwork from Morocco and beyond…

  • Dar Bensouda

    Medina

    In this 17th-century palace, a warm staff welcomes you into tangible history: floor tiles show centuries of footsteps; worn-smooth wooden doors open on…

  • Chez Youssef

    Merzouga

    Affable Youssef's simple pisé (rammed-earth) home offers four rooms arranged around a courtyard shaded by a single palm. The oasis-inspired decor is spare…

  • Ryad Mabrouka

    Medina

    Open since 2003, Mabrouka feels lived-in, in a good way. The large traditional courtyard house is furnished with European antiques and art, and the…

  • Riad L’Orangeraie

    Mouassine & Central Souqs

    From Moroccan sweets and fresh flowers in your room to top-notch personal service, Riad L'Orangeraie gets all the finer details right. The layout is…

  • Dar Zahia

    Taroudant

    This gorgeous property belonged to a French couple for years before it welcomed guests, and it still retains the feel of a private home – albeit that of a…

  • Riad Oriental

    Mediterranean Coast & the Rif Mountains

    Thoughts of paradise are barely avoidable at this gorgeous modern kasbah overlooking the valley and mountains beyond. The rooms and chalets are luxurious,…

  • Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp

    Merzouga

    Surrounded by towering dunes a mere 10km from Merzouga, this luxury desert camp offers spacious safari tents, complete with carved-wood furniture, top…

  • Les 3 Chameaux

    Mirleft

    High on the hill in a renovated 1930s military fort, Mirleft’s best address is a lovely guesthouse with views over the village, sea and cactus-covered…

  • Casa Paca

    Al Hoceima

    Approximately 8km south of Al Hoceima overlooking Plage Sfiha and El Peñon de Alhucemas, Casa Paca feels like a home away from home. Half-Spanish, half…

  • Chez Pierre

    Dadès Gorge

    At this chic retreat, 11 light-filled rooms and two, two-bedroom apartments are notched right into the gorge wall, with contemporary Moroccan decor, plant…

  • Grand Hôtel Villa de France

    Tangier

    Few hotels are as venerable as the gloriously refurbished Grand Hôtel Villa de France. French painter Eugène Delacroix stayed here in 1832; his compatriot…

  • Auberge Dardara

    Chefchaouen

    This authentic French auberge (inn) in the Moroccan countryside offers large rustic suites with TVs and fireplaces and an excellent restaurant. The 10…

  • Atlas Kasbah

    Souss Valley

    Located on a spectacular hilltop 15km inland from Agadir, the 30+ rooms and suites in this Amazigh-style fortress are the ideal overnight haven after…

  • Repose

    Northern Atlantic Coast

    Married couple Jan and Rachid have restored this traditional medina house with style, creating a delightful retreat. All seven rooms have vibrant decor,…

  • Riad Laaroussa

    Medina

    A cavernous entrance hall jogs into a dazzling light-filled courtyard, with orange trees and a fountain. Indeed, there's loads of space throughout this…

  • Villa Joséphine

    Tangier

    A mansion or a palace? It's hard to decide at this restored 1920s residence, once a summer retreat for Moroccan royalty and partying European diplomats…

  • Riad Janoub

    Tiznit

    Polyglot owners Priya and Aby are attentive hosts in this modern riad, which has Moroccan and European salons, a massage room and a roof terrace, all…

  • Riad UP

    Marrakesh

    Mediterranean chic meets medina living. Mallorcan owner Elsa Bauza oversaw every aspect of her riad's renovation, retaining its handsome central courtyard…

  • Medina Social Club

    Medina

    This large, well-kept riad goes all in on 'social': the place offers tours, classes, Arabic sessions, plus films and music open to the public. Befitting…

  • Azalai Desert Lodge

    Zagora

    On the edge of the palm grove, the eight super-stylish rooms at this modern-Moroccan lodge are all individually decorated – think Paul Bowles’ battered…

  • Amouage

    Taghazout

    Effortlessly raising the bar in Taghazout is Surf Maroc's super-stylish 'designer guesthouse'. Brilliant local art and photography fill the airy public…

  • Au Bord de l'Eau

    Setti Fatma

    This jaunty little guesthouse is tucked down a pebble staircase about 1km before Setti Fatma. As a result, it's wonderfully secluded away from the tourist…

  • Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca

    Casablanca

    This contemporary seaside hotel pays homage to local craftsmanship with beaten brass doors and polished plasterwork. Rooms are light-filled and stylish,…

  • Kasbah Timdaf

    High Atlas Mountains

    This stone and mud-brick kasbah is built in the traditional local style with artful rooms warmed by vintage wood-burning stoves. It may seem palatial, but…

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