No trip to Marrakesh is complete without staying at a riad! A riad is a traditional Moroccan house that is characterized by an interior courtyard surrounded on all four sides. These riads are beautifully decorated with intricate tilework and handcrafted furnishings. Stepping into a riad is like walking into a living piece of art. Today, you can book a stay at these architectural wonders! There are plenty of options and it could seem daunting to choose the best ones, but I’ve listed my top choices. Check out the best riads in Marrakesh!

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The Best Riads in Marrakesh

1. BE Riad

Tucked away from the bustling main square of Jemaa el Fna, this colorful boutique riad is a dream to stay at. The tile work and decor make this riad a very charming and photogenic place. There is a beautiful rooftop which makes the perfect setting to enjoy your meals and there are also two themed pools!

BE Riad truly wants you to “be in the moment”. The riad offers a variety of activities that can you book including yoga classes and retreats, cooking classes, and wellness hammam and massage packages. Additionally, you can also experience a typical Marrakchi lunch and dinner.

2. Riad Sakkan

Riad Sakkan is a luxurious riad set in a historic building and located in the trendy district of Mouassine! Sa-kan means “home” and that is exactly what this riad aims to strive for…to be a place where you feel at home.

Come experience the laidback lifestyle at this traditional riad. There are only 12 rooms at this property with each room being styled individually so you can expect a unique stay.

There is also a rooftop restaurant, lounge, and bar at the property serving a variety of different dishes and plates for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, it features a swimming pool and a garden!

3. La Sultana Marrakesh

La Sultana Marrakech is a luxury historical hotel in Marrakesh’s medina with magnificent rooftop views! It offers 28 rooms and suites, all unique, with decor enriched by beautiful collections of artwork. Each room features Moorish decor and Moroccan furnishing and luxury marble bathrooms. Some rooms even have their own private balcony and terraces. This is certainly one of the most visually stunning riads in Marrakesh!

The hotel additionally features a luxury heated pool, a world-class spa, luxuriant gardens, two restaurants and a bar, a gym, and a rooftop terrace. Their rooftop terrace is perhaps the largest in the medina with green cushions and tile work inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The hotel is also close to the historic sites of the Saadian Tombs, the Royal Palace, and the Bahia Palace.

4. Riad Melhoun and Spa

Inspired by the architecture and decor of Moroccan palaces, Riad Melhoun and Spa is located in the heart of the Medina. This riad was also recently renovated by some of the best craftsmen around! Local craftsmen painted the ceilings of the passageways, doors, and windows of the rooms with arabesque motifs similar to those found in the La Bahia palace.

It features an interior courtyard with a swimming pool and a furnished rooftop terrace with views of the medina. There is also a communal area with a fireplace and a lounge area with books as well as a spa!

5. La Mason Arabe

First opening its doors in 1946, La Mason Arabe boasts a storied past graced by royalties and important personnel including Sir Winston Churchhill and Queen Ingrid of Denmark. This 37-room riad is located in the Bab Doukkala neighborhood, minutes away from the Jemaa el Fna square. Each room features intricate period pieces along with modern amenities, private terraces, and fireplaces.

This charming hotel also showcases three restaurants, including a traditional Moroccan restaurant, a piano-jazz bar, and a world-famous cooking school. There is also a traditional hammam spa, outdoor heated pool, and several gardens on the property.

Better still, La Mason Arabe also has its own country club among olive groves outside the city. You can reach it by a free shuttle and the club also boasts its own pool.

6. Riad Les Yeux Bleus

The most distinguishing characteristic of Riad Les Yeux Bleus is perhaps the remarkable blue wash of its interior. The 12-room riad is located in the heart of the busy Bab Doukkala district, yet you’ll find peace and calm behind their doors.

The restaurant on property serves modern variations of traditional and homemade Moroccan cuisine, with an emphasis on using fresh local produce. Additionally, this riad features a spa and hammam, swimming pool, and jacuzzi!

7. Le Riad Yasmine

Check out that beautifully decorated courtyard at Le Riad Yasmine! Le Riad Yasmine is an urban green jungle that juxtaposes the red buildings found around the city.

This private boutique hotel contains only eight uniquely-styled rooms! Be sure to check their website for photos of which room to book. Your stay also includes complimentary breakfast which you can request to have poolside or on the terrace.

8. La Mamounia Marrakesh

La Mamounia is an award-winning, luxurious, 5-star hotel that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list! It is actually one of the most famous places in Marrakesh due to its beautiful architecture and reputation. Though this hotel is not like the traditional riads, I had to mention it as it is often regarded as the best place to stay in Marrakesh.

There are a variety of accommodations to choose from including rooms, suites, signature suites, and even entire riads! You can also find four different restaurants, numerous bars, pools, and a world-class spa on the property. Even if you don’t book a spa treatment, be sure to stop by to admire the beautiful architecture of the spa.

9. Riad Goloboy Marrakesh

I love the distinct blue interior here at Riad Goloboy Marrakesh! Riad Goloboy is part of a complex of two 19th century aristocratic houses lovingly restored by art collector and interior designer Beatrice Faujas. Faujas’s style blends valuable antiques and original works of art with an unexpectedly eclectic contemporary touch.

This is a very beautiful riad with plenty of photo opportunities! The colorful works of art by Henri Matisse and Serge Poliakoff inspired the joyous hues found around the riad. It truly feels like you’re living in a contemporary art museum. Faujas also designed each of the 15 rooms and placed unique decor in each one. It will be difficult to choose your room as some of the rooms here, with their bright colors, resemble sets from a particularly elegant Wes Anderson film, while others have a certain sensitivity to One Thousand and One Nights with sumptuous Moorish details.

Furthermore, the riad features a Majorelle blue courtyard, pool, restaurant, and two magnificent terraces with a jacuzzi that overlooks the Atlas Mountains and the Mamounia Gardens. Riad Goloboy also offers complimentary breakfast which can you can request to have on the terrace, at the pool, in the restaurant, or even in your room.

10. Royal Mansour Marrakech

Set on beautifully landscaped grounds, Royal Mansour Marrakech is a lavish 5-star luxury hotel with each guest staying in their own riad. Yes, instead of staying in a room within a riad…you book an entire riad! This is what sets this hotel apart from the rest of the Marrakesh riads. The hotel calls this unique concept a “medina with the medina”.

There are no suites or rooms at Royal Mansour, but rather riads. There are a total of 53 riads of one to four rooms, all with private courtyards and fountains. Upon arrival, guests are escorted through the gardens to their own private riad. This is the only hotel in the world offering that unique concept!

The Royal Mansour Marrakech covers 5 hectares and has 3 restaurants, 3 bars, a spa, gardens, a pool, and a kids’ club. This offers countless opportunities to explore and relax at the property!

11. Ksar Kasbah

Ksar Kasbah, an old private palace transformed into a guesthouse, is the perfect place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. 11 rooms and suites, furnished in a pure bohemian style, frame the beautiful central courtyard and pool. Televisions are deliberately not available in the house to encourage you to relax, connect with others, read, and take time for yourself.

This boutique riad also offers lunch and dinner, spa services, and excursions available for booking. The excursions are personalized and tailored to your needs with French or English-speaking drivers and guides.

12. Riad Jardin Secret

Riad Jardin is a trendy yet intimate boutique hotel with a stunning rooftop garden. This riad only contains seven bedrooms with furniture and decor picked from the finest flea markets around Marrakesh. Your stay includes a complimentary breakfast made from locally produced ingredients.

Riad Jardin Secret was built as a home for creative people to come together. They welcome artists in residence throughout the year and consider applications spanning all creative spheres. The main objective of the residency is to allow artists to develop new ideas. Televisions and air conditioning are not available, which is their way of encouraging you to adapt to the laid-back attitude and free spirit. It is a place for you to read, a place for you to sketch, a place for you to dream…

13. Riad Elegencia

Elegancia Riad Boutique & Spa is a charming 11 room hotel offering one of the most authentic riad experiences in the heart of Marrakesh.

Set over three levels and built around two patios, the building remains loyal to its architectural roots, with traditional features throughout. The rooftop is a destination in itself boasting 360 views of the ancient Medina, a rooftop swimming pool, a sundeck, a Jacuzzi, and a restaurant and bar. In the morning, a complimentary continental breakfast is served at the restaurant.

Dining at Riad Elegancia is a flavourful experience, with cooking classes available to guests wishing to bring a taste of Morocco back home.

The “Espace Raha” Oriental Hamman & Spa offers a peaceful sanctuary dedicated to wellbeing. Features include a traditional Moroccan hammam made from marble, two treatment rooms including one for couples, a relaxation area, and a fitness room.

Riad Elegancia is close to the Bab Doukkala mosque and is a short walk from its sister property, La Maison Arabe, where guests can benefit from access to the hotel’s facilities including its exclusive country club and pool in the verdant Palmeraie suburb.

14. Dar Kandi

Dar Kandi is a posh riad offering six suites, a hammam, a restaurant, and a pool. It is located in a very quiet yet convenient neighborhood in the medina. Each of the six suites has its own character and its own personality waiting to be discovered.

The riad features a pool on the terrace which can be used year-round due to the warm temperature of Marrakesh. Could you just imagine swimming under a sky full of stars at night? You could also enjoy your complimentary continental breakfast on the terrace as well.

The spa also offers a full range of traditional oriental treatments, allowing you to relax and enjoy a unique hammam experience.

15. Riad Palais Sebban

In a former 18th-century palace with an ornately tiled interior courtyard, Riad Palais Sebban features colorful and warmly furnished rooms minutes away from Jemma al Fna. This stylish riad combines Moroccan and Andalusian architecture. It also offers a swimming pool and a rooftop terrace with panoramic city views.

A buffet breakfast is served each morning and for other meals, guests can enjoy Moroccan or international dishes. In the evening, guests are invited to relax in the lounge with a drink.