Palms rising through the tiled courtyard of a riad in Marrakech, seen from the gallery above

Where to stay

Best Luxury Hotels in Morocco

Fifteen palaces, international resorts and boutique retreats in Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, the north, the Atlas and the south, with when to go and how to book.

The courtyard of Riad Lalla Khiti, Marrakech. Photograph: calflier001, CC BY-SA 2.0

Hotels
15
Most choice
Marrakech
Peak season
October to April
Lowest rates
July and August, inland

Morocco's luxury hotel landscape

Marrakech has most of Morocco's palace hotels and international resorts. Fes has small historic hotels in the medina; the Atlas and the south have a few retreats where the landscape is the reason to go.

Moroccan luxury hotels are built from local craft: tadelakt, the polished lime plaster first used in hammams; zellige, mosaic tile cut by hand into geometric patterns; carved cedar from the Middle Atlas for doors, ceilings and screens; and wrought iron for balustrades and lanterns.

The country's variety also counts. A trip can run from a palace in Marrakech to a kasbah in the Atlas and on to the desert.

Fifteen luxury hotels in Morocco

  1. Royal Mansour

    Marrakech · Palace

    King Mohammed VI's showcase hotel. There are no ordinary rooms: each guest has a private riad on three floors, with its own rooftop terrace and plunge pool.

  2. La Mamounia

    Marrakech · Palace

    Opened in 1923, in gardens where Winston Churchill stayed and painted. A renovation by Jacques Garcia, completed in 2009, set Art Deco details against Moorish geometry.

  3. Amanjena

    Marrakech · Resort

    Aman's resort outside the city on the Ouarzazate road, designed by Ed Tuttle. Rose-pink pavilions stand around a large central basin modelled on the twelfth-century Menara pool.

  4. Mandarin Oriental

    Marrakech · Resort

    Private villas with their own pools, spread through olive groves outside the city, with plenty of space between them.

  5. Four Seasons Resort

    Marrakech · Resort

    The family choice: several pools, a kids' club and large gardens.

  6. Palais Namaskar

    Marrakech · Palace

    Villas and pavilions set among reflecting pools, with the Atlas on the horizon: water, stone and light, more stage set than hotel.

  7. Kasbah Tamadot

    Asni, High Atlas · Boutique

    Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition retreat in the High Atlas, with an infinity pool facing the mountains and treks to Amazigh villages from the gate. It reopened in October 2024 after restoration following the 2023 earthquake, with six new riads.

  8. La Sultana Marrakech

    Marrakech · Boutique

    Connected riads beside the Saadian Tombs in the kasbah quarter, each room decorated differently, with a rooftop pool and terrace over the medina and the Atlas beyond.

  9. Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa

    Marrakech · Hotel

    Contemporary French-Moroccan hotel on Avenue du Président Kennedy, with a large spa and hammam. An easier entry point to Marrakech luxury than the palaces.

  10. Fairmont Royal Palm

    Marrakech · Resort

    A large estate outside Marrakech with an 18-hole golf course designed by Cabell Robinson, pool villas, a spa, horse riding, tennis and a kids' club.

  11. Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay

    Tamouda Bay, near Tetouan · Resort

    Pool villas on the Mediterranean coast: sea breezes and a beach setting quite different from Marrakech.

  12. The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat Dar Es Salam

    Rabat · Hotel

    Set within the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam estate, combining a resort stay with the capital's monuments, such as the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Hassan Tower.

  13. Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort

    El Jadida · Resort

    A big Atlantic beachfront resort with a casino and a Gary Player golf course, and plenty for families to do.

  14. Dar Ahlam

    Skoura, south of the Atlas · Boutique

    An all-inclusive kasbah with a handful of suites. There are no menus and no set dining times: the chef serves each meal somewhere different, in the palm grove, on a rooftop or in a hidden garden.

  15. Palais Faraj Suites & Spa

    Fes · Boutique

    Above the Fes medina, with views across the old city. Suites in traditional Fassi style: carved stucco, painted cedar ceilings and zellige floors.

Luxury hotels by city and region

Each region has a different character, climate and kind of guest.

Marrakech
The centre of Moroccan luxuryMost of the big international names are in the Palmeraie, the Hivernage and on the roads out of the city, while converted riads such as La Sultana sit inside the medina. Royal Mansour, La Mamounia, Amanjena, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, Palais Namaskar, Sofitel, Fairmont Royal Palm, La Sultana.
Fes
Small, historic, boutiqueHistoric buildings turned into small hotels overlooking the UNESCO-listed medina, with the emphasis on food and culture. Palais Faraj, Riad Fes, Hotel Sahrai.
Rabat
The capitalThe Ritz-Carlton at Dar Es Salam and the Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses.
Tangier and Tamouda Bay
The Mediterranean northBeach resorts on Tamouda Bay, and in Tangier hotels for the city's literary and artistic past. Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay, Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier, El Minzah.
Essaouira and the Atlantic
Wind, art and seafoodA quieter kind of luxury. Heure Bleue Palais inside the medina walls, Le Jardin des Douars outside town, and Mazagan near El Jadida.
The Atlas and the south
Landscape firstDar Ahlam near Skoura and Kasbah Tamadot at Asni, where the landscape is the point. Closer to Marrakech, Scarabeo Camp offers upmarket tents in the Agafay desert.

When to book

October to April
Peak seasonThe highest rates, with December 20 to January 5 the most expensive of all. Book 4-6 months ahead for the best-known Marrakech hotels. Daytime highs of 20-26 °C in Marrakech; March and April are shoulder months, with slightly lower rates.
May to September
Off-peak inlandInland rates drop. In July and August Marrakech passes 40 °C most days, so the days revolve around the pool and the spa. Coastal hotels in Essaouira and on Tamouda Bay charge their top summer rates. During Ramadan some restaurants and bars keep shorter hours.

Booking strategy

  1. Book direct

    Many palace hotels promise their best rate on their own website, and may add perks such as an upgrade or late checkout.

  2. Use a travel advisor

    Advisors affiliated with luxury hotel programmes can often add breakfast, upgrades or resort credit at the international brands.

  3. Check card programmes

    Some premium credit cards run hotel programmes with extra benefits; check whether your hotel is included.

Practical tips for luxury travelers

Airport transfers
Arranged by the hotelEvery 5-star hotel can arrange a private airport transfer. Marrakech Menara airport is close to the city; Casablanca's Mohammed V airport is about 2.5 hours from Marrakech by road. Request the transfer at least 48 hours before you arrive.
Room names
Pavilions, riads, villasA pavilion at Amanjena is a separate building with its own garden; a riad at Royal Mansour is a private house on three floors. Read the room description, not just the category name.
Tipping
ExpectedTip porters, housekeeping and guides arranged through the hotel. Some hotels add a service charge to the bill, so check before tipping twice in restaurants.
Dress
Smart casualHotel restaurants generally expect smart-casual dress at dinner; pool areas are relaxed. Outside the hotel, cover shoulders and knees, especially near mosques and in the medinas.

Best hotels by category

Couples
Royal Mansour, Dar Ahlam, La SultanaA private riad; surprise dinner settings in a desert kasbah; a rooftop pool over the medina.
Families
Four Seasons, Mazagan, Fairmont Royal PalmKids' clubs, several pools and space to roam.
Golf
Fairmont Royal Palm, Ritz-Carlton Rabat, MazaganA Cabell Robinson course on site; the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam estate; a Gary Player layout by the Atlantic.
Beach
Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay, MazaganPool villas on the Mediterranean; Atlantic beachfront at El Jadida.

Questions

Luxury hotels in Morocco: questions

What is the most expensive hotel in Morocco?

Royal Mansour Marrakech is usually named as the most expensive. Instead of rooms, every guest stays in a private riad: a house on three floors with its own rooftop terrace and plunge pool. Suites at La Mamounia and the maisons at Amanjena are also among the most expensive places to stay in the country.

When is the cheapest time to book luxury hotels in Morocco?

July and August bring the lowest rates at most inland luxury hotels, because daytime temperatures in Marrakech regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Ramadan can also bring lower rates. Coastal hotels, such as those in Essaouira and on Tamouda Bay, are the exception: summer is their busy season.

Do luxury hotels in Morocco serve alcohol?

International 5-star hotels and most upscale Moroccan-owned hotels serve alcohol, usually with Moroccan wines on the list alongside imported ones. Some boutique riads in the medinas do not, so confirm before booking if it matters to you.

Is Morocco safe for luxury travelers?

Luxury hotels arrange airport transfers and private guides and have round-the-clock security. The Tourist Police (Brigade Touristique) patrol the major cities. The main day-to-day nuisance is persistent touts in the medinas, and hotel concierges can help you with routes and guides.

Should I stay in a luxury riad or a 5-star resort hotel?

Riads give a small, intimate stay, often with 6-12 rooms around a central courtyard, and home-style cooking. Resort hotels have pools, spas, golf courses, kids' clubs and several restaurants. On a first visit, split your stay: two nights in a riad inside the medina, then the rest at a resort.

How far in advance should I book luxury hotels in Morocco?

For peak season (October-November, March-April) and the December holidays, book 4-6 months ahead, especially at the best-known Marrakech hotels. For summer stays, 4-6 weeks is usually enough. Small properties have few rooms, so availability can be tight in any season.

Do Morocco luxury hotels include breakfast?

Many 5-star hotels include breakfast in the room rate, typically with Moroccan pastries such as msemen and baghrir, fresh orange juice, argan oil with honey and international dishes. Some boutique hotels serve breakfast à la carte. Always check what is included when you compare rates.

What is the best luxury hotel in Morocco for a honeymoon?

Royal Mansour and Amanjena are the usual choices. At Royal Mansour, couples have a private riad with its own rooftop terrace. Amanjena feels remote, with rose-pink pavilions around a large basin, though it is a short drive from Marrakech. Dar Ahlam near Skoura is another strong pick: there are no menus, and meals are served in a different spot each time.

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