You can definitely loose days at a time down the Booking.com and Air BnB rabbit hole being seriously overwhelmed when you're trying to choose the perfect accom that ticks all the boxes to stay in Marrakech.
With so many factors to keep in mind like a location that's walking distance to the medina and the great restaurants, inspiring interior, heritage vs modern, vibe for couples or families versus solo travellers, and of course instagram worthiness... (queue arial shot of pool in courtyard...)
I'm always being asked for recommendations - and while there's a million and one great places to try, I've stayed in some beautiful places that I'm always happy to suggest from my own experiences.
Here's a few of my favs, all for different reasons - from super affordable hostels, beautiful riads, to desert camps. I'll keep this list up to date as I discover more. And please feel free to suggest any others I should be adding to the list or checking out.
Have fun planning your trip to Marrakech!
x Bridget
(The places I stay at and recommend are never sponsored or freebies... I can honestly say I've spent 100s of hours researching and finding the best places to stay in Marrakech. These are totally independent reviews and recommendations based on my own experiences)
RIAD UP
This was the beautiful photoshoot location from our 2018 Beni Ourain shoot - chosen for it's big antique wooden doors, dusty Marrakech pink walls and giant cactus pots. A beautiful tranquil courtyard with giant palms, plunge pool, and a gorgeous sunny roof top with sun loungers that you won't ever want to leave.
Located at the entrance to the souks with a taxi point out the front and just a few minutes walk from Jmaa El Fna square, which means it's in a great spot close to all the best restaurants and shopping. It's down a bit of a tricky lane to find at first, but once you're there it's a little haven - Urban Paradise is the perfect description for it.
Great for couples, friends or families and any one wanting accomodation that's located close to the action.
Rodamon Marrakech
If you're traveling solo and your budget is more hostel price tag. Rodamon is technically a hostel, but is more like the experience of staying in a big riad. You get the amazing tiled courtyard, central pool and rooftop riad vibe, with both shared dorms and private rooms available.
Super social and friendly place to hang out around the pool over breakfast, or at the bar at the end of the day with other travellers. Dorm rooms have big fresh bathrooms, pull-across privacy curtains on the beds and power points in each (which in the hostel world is rare!)
After booking in for a few nights on my last trip I ended up pulling my lap top up at the bar here for a couple of weeks where the staff were super friendly and I met so many other travellers from around the world who I still stay in contact with.
Location is right in the thick of the medina, so an easy walk everywhere while being a bit out of the hustle. By far best option for budget and solo travellers in Marrakech (I've tried quite a few other hostels and can safely say this is the pick of them all...)
This was my first experience of staying in a riad in Marrakech on a trip with my parents a few years back - Mind blown, and exceeded all expectations of what a stay in a riad was all about. The gorgeously renovated heritage building has been so beautifully restored and updated with a mix of traditional and modern details. Plunge pool in the courtyard and incredible rooms that are all so beautifully and individually decorated with antique furniture.
If you're looking for something really spesh, romantic or just a splurge, this is a gorgeous experience. From the moment your welcome tea is poured in the courtyard by the tiled fountain, to the breakfast on the large sunny roof terrace, or the specially prepared dinners in the gorgeous dining room.
It's in a quieter area off the back of the souks, a seriously special option I highly recommend if travel budget allows.
I've returned to Olema a few times now. The staff are so welcoming, chatty and helpful which makes you feel at home after a big day in the medina.
There's quite a few rooms available with big bedrooms and concrete bathrooms that have calming natural and white interiors.
With 2 small plunge pools on ground level, the courtyards and balconies have beautiful cushiony couch areas and plenty of space to hang out on the big double loungers on the huge sunny rooftop terrace.
The location is back in the Bab Doukkala area, which I really like staying in, because it's out of the hustle, close to taxi points, 10 min walk to the square and souks, and easy walk to the new city and Marjorelle Gardens area.
Great option for families, group trips or solo travel because of the number of rooms available, busier vibe and space to chill.
Recently freshened up with some renovations by the new French owners, and like staying in a cute dolls house with it's fresh turquoise and white colour scheme. Sunny rooftop for catching some rays in the afternoon, and the fastest wifi speed I've managed to get in a riad in Marrakech! (Very important when trying to run a business from the road...and usually quite challenging because of the concrete structures of the riads in the medina...)
Specially prepared French style breakfasts. A great option for group trips, families and solo travellers, as it's in a really easy and safe location in the Dar El Basha area, a two minute walk to taxi drop off point to get you to the Gueliz the new city, and lovely restaurant and spa options near by.
A boutique riad of only 5 rooms makes this a quiet and relaxing riad to stay in, and a favourite I continue to return to. You might recognise the roof top and courtyard that featured in our recent photoshoot.
It's location is on the edge of the spice square and carpet souk so it's in a great spot if you're going to be spending your days in the markets.
Aussie owned by ex-Sydney sider Lisa - the rooms in this riad are all different sizes and shapes, the bigger ones feeling more like small apartments, with beautiful modern Moroccan minimal design. Great for group trips and families because of the size of rooms with spare beds.
A minimalist design haven - the incredible renovation and beautiful interior are what riad dreams are made of. Modern Moroccan design with concrete bathrooms and the gorgeous vintage doors leading out to the courtyard.
If you're looking for a calming, highly photogenic and beautifully styled riad experience this is for you. It's in an area further back off the souks than the other options, so take advantage of the beautiful house cooked meals and eat by the fire in the lounge. Recommended for couples, groups and families for it's a quieter vibe
AGAFAY DESERT:
If you don't have time to do the full Sahara desert tour but still want the desert experience, the luxury desert camps in the Agafay Desert are great for a one or two night stay.
Just 30 mins out of Marrakech by taxi and close to the airport, so a great option for your last night before heading home. Fresh air, incredible views of the mountains, day trips to nearby Berber villages, camel rides into the sunset, great traditional meals in the communal dining tent, and singing and dancing at night.
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