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To keep up with their heavy tourist traffic, Marrakech offers a large variety of lodging options in every district, from the Palmeraie area to the Ville Nouvelle (the new town), including gorgeous Guest Riads. It is highly recommended to book in to be sure to have the room of your dreams waiting for you, especially during the peak tourist seasons, like December. Needless to say that prices rise during those periods but most hotels provide a price grid so you can plan your trip accordingly.
In the Medina
Many of the old mansions in the medina, some dating back to the 17th century, have been converted into guesthouses, the famous riads (a manor house with a walled garden) and Dars (traditional house with a patio), whose charms are hidden behind the walls of the medina’s sinuous and narrow streets. It all started with some expats living in the medina and willing to open their doors to tourists. The fad for this kind of accommodation grew into a true craze. No less than 360 riads, most often owned by foreigners (especially French), pepper the streets. Staying in a riad is one of Marrakech’s many charms. Open the doors of a riad and you find yourself immersed into a world hidden from the bustle of the medina, where you can enjoy a peaceful and shaded patio or on a roof-terrace with great views of the other city rooftops, luxuriate in a swimming pool or have a massage in the hammam, and sample traditional and delicious Moroccan dishes! Many riad owners pride themselves on using traditional architectural techniques, like decorating bathrooms with tadelakt (polished limestone tiles) and zellijs (enamel tiles mosaics). Each riad is unique. Some of them are well-known locally, like the Casa Lalla. Some others offer upscale refinement, such as La Sultana Marrakech, which features a superb spa. Others have built a reputation on unique design, like the Riad Malika and the Dar Zelda, or low prices like Riad Nejma Lounge. The medina also contains a few luxury hotels, like the famous Mamounia or the Hôtel Des Jardins de la Koutoubia.
For those on a budget, don’t panic, there are also inexpensive hotels for in the medina, notably around Jemaâ El Fna square. Try the pretty Jnane Mogador or at the Hôtel Essaouira.
In the Ville Nouvelle and in the Palmeraie
Less exotic, but often more spacious than riads, the hotels of the Ville Nouvelle can be a good option if you prefer leaving the bustle of the medina or are travelling for business. The modern Gueliz district and its neighbor, the calm Hivernage district, offer all classes of hotels, including notably good accommodations, such as the Diwane Hotel (Gueliz) or the Grand Imilchil (Hivernage). Hôtel Toulousain, in Gueliz, is the perfect fit for smaller budgets. The Hivernage district also counts many upscale hotels, like the Es Saadi Gardens & Resorts. In the Palmeraie, you will find even more luxury hotels, such as the Ksar Char-Bagh, on the road to Fez.
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