Where to stay in Marrakech
Staying in Marrakech without pocket money is easy. Morocco’s most popular tourist destination welcomes over 10 million tourists a year, and offers accommodation to suit all budgets. When planning your visit to Marrakech, it’s very important to be clear about what type of accommodation you prefer: whether a traditional riad or a more Western hotel, as this will determine the location. Here are the best areas and hotels to stay in Marrakech
During our stay in the city, we stayed at the Rodamón Riad Marrakech . We would repeat the same action if we returned. It’s a modern riad in a great location.
On this map, you’ll find the best neighborhoods and hotels to stay in Marrakech marked . From most to least advised, green to orange.
The best place to stay in Marrakech is the Medina:
This is the most common area to stay in Marrakech, and the one we chose. In Marrakech’s beautiful and chaotic Medina, most of the city’s tourist attractions are concentrated, as well as most of its accommodation. So if you prefer a good location for getting around the city on foot, sleeping in the Medina is the best option, as you’ll have everything within easy reach. There are plenty of good, inexpensive restaurants, some of which even have terraces with views. It’s also a good idea to have a swimming pool, especially in the summer months.
Of course, it also has its drawbacks, especially if you want to get back to the hotel late. Nighttime strolls through the medina are not advised. We’d like to give you a few recommendations on safety in Marrakech. So if you like to go out, it’s best to find another neighborhood, as cabs in the Medina can’t drop you off at the door of your accommodation, but don’t worry, we’ll show you all the transport options from Marrakech airport .
In the Medina, you’ll find mostly riads, typical Moroccan accommodation. In terms of price, you’ll find a bit of everything, depending on the quality of the accommodation. As a guide, you’ll find superb riads from €20 a night, and more luxurious ones for around €70. There are also a few hotels, albeit rather exclusive, perfect for an unforgettable stay. If you’re looking for a great location and a unique experience, the Medina is the best place to stay in Marrakech.
The best riads and accommodation in Marrakech’s Medina :
Riad Alwachma
Riad Challa
Les Jardins de la Koutoubia
Riad Farhan
Is it better to stay in a hotel or a riad?
If you travel to Morocco, we always advise you to try the experience of sleeping in a riad. We did so both in Marrakech and in the beautiful city of Fez. In Arabic, riad means garden, around which the rooms are distributed. The deal is much tighter, since the number of rooms is less than in a hotel. And the facilities are generally the same. Prices vary, but hotels are generally more expensive than riads.
Sleeping in the Kasbah, south of the Medina:
In the southern part of Marrakech’s Medina lies another of the city’s most touristy districts. Despite the fact that the Kasbah is a very busy area, it is much quieter than the northern part of the Medina, where the more touristy souks abound. The Kasbah began as an administrative center and has become a mainly residential area without many important souks.
Within the Kasbah there are a few tourist attractions, such as the Saadian tombs and the Palais El Badi . In terms of location, less than 15 minutes’ walk will take you to Place Jamaa El Fna. Without a doubt, one of the best areas to stay in Marrakech.
Recommended accommodation in the Kasbah:
Riad Kasbah & Spa
Clefs d’Orient
Riad & Spa Ksar Saad
Guéliz , the most modern district for sleeping in Marrakech:
Many tourists tend to think that Marrakech is limited to its Medina, and this is not true at all. Although this part of the city concentrates most of the attractions, discovering the new Marrakech is also very intriguing. If you want to sleep in Western hotels, enjoy international cuisine and love shopping, staying in Guéliz is the best option for you. If you’re planning excursions from Marrakech and staying outside the medina, they can pick you up at the hotel door.
As for communication, there’s also the city’s main train station. Which is nice, by the way. So, if you’re planning to travel around Morocco, sleeping nearby will give you that extra comfort, especially if you arrive late at night.
And if you decide to walk to the Medina (which we don’t recommend), it will take you around 40 minutes. We don’t recommend it, as Marrakech is not a pleasant city to walk around, as we’re used to in Europe. It’s better to take a cab, which will take you less than 10 minutes.
Good accommodation in Guéliz :
2Ciels boutique hotel
Radisson Blu Marrakech
Almas Hotel
Money-saving tips
Get a debit card to save you from the bad exchange rates and commissions of conventional banks. We recommend using the Bnext card. It’s free! We always use it for travel and it’s a great money saver.
The most opulent part of Marrakech is Hivernage:
If you want your stay in Marrakech to be as exclusive as possible, decide to stay in the Hivernage district. This is the most luxurious area to stay in Marrakech. Located southwest of the Guéliz district, it’s home to luxurious residential villas and the most spectacular hotel complexes, such as La Mamounia, Africa’s most luxurious hotel, or the Royal Mansour. But if you’re looking for simpler hotels, you’ll find them too, and even at a better price than some of the riads in the Medina.
The heart of the district is Avenue Mohammed VI. This large, leafy avenue is home to the imposing Théâtre Royal, the convention center and is very close to the train station. But if you’re staying here, you won’t mind paying for a cab to take you to the station! Without a doubt, this is the most expensive area to stay in Marrakech.
Best places to stay in Hivernage :
Mansour Royal
Salon & Spa Sofitel Marrakech
Savoy Le Grand Hôtel Marrakech
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