For an authentic Marrakech stay, go Medina! Its maze-like charm covers 700 hectares. The 3 best places to stay in Marrakech Medina await you.
1. Amanjena
Nestled in a park, about ten kilometers from the city center, Amanjena has skilfully adopted the codes of the Marrakech art of living. The ocher-pink adobe walls recall the city ramparts, and the large central pool around which the pavilions and villas develop evokes the gardens of the Menara…As usual, Ed Tuttle, the emblematic (and late) architect who designed most of the Aman in the world was inspired by the spirit of the place to design this hotel in the shape of the Palace of the Thousand and One Nights.
The hotel has only 39 accommodations for privileged guests: pavilions with a small pool on a patio, villas with swimming pools…The height of luxury is the superb Maison Al Hamra, a true haven of tranquility of more than 1000 m²! The Art Deco-inspired furniture goes well with the classics of Moroccan decoration, glazed terracotta floors, beautiful fireplaces that are very appreciable in winter, marble and tadelakt in the bathrooms… Four restaurants allow you to vary the atmospheres and the gastronomic experiences: Moroccan, Italian at the Arva table (the brand’s signature restaurant), Japanese at Nama, or Mediterranean in the olive grove. A must for a weekend in Marrakech dedicated to indulgence and relaxation.
What makes the difference: the range of activities that encourages guests not to leave this cocoon of refinement for several days. For relaxation, a traditional spa and, for sport, tennis courses with Paul Forhan, the LUX Tennis Academy pro.
2. Royal Mansour
The heavy bronze doors of the most secret palaces of Marrakech are now open… An initiative of Jean-Claude Messant, the charismatic director general of this exceptional place. A five-minute walk from Jema-el-Fna Square, the beating heart of Marrakech, this hotel was designed as a luxury medina, in a beautiful 3.5-hectare park planted with palm trees. Sheltered from the city walls, it hides shaded alleys where channeled waterways hum, small squares, gardens, and 53 private riads. Everyone stays in their little kingdom made up of a patio and a large living room on the ground floor, a bedroom with a huge bathroom upstairs, and, on the second floor, a double terrace with deckchairs and a pool to cool off. In terms of service, it’s great art: 500 people for around a hundred guests…
Everywhere, in lounges, restaurants, and private parties, the eye is drawn to the exceptional work of the best Moroccan craftsmen. The profusion of zelliges, tadelakt, and ironwork chiseled by goldsmiths. The embroidered leather, sculpted ceilings, and crystal pendant lights flirt with the finest marquetry, while walls and floors are decorated with around forty different varieties of marble. In just a few years, the Royal Mansour has become a myth. It has further gained in beauty and space by expanding into a sumptuous garden where a superb swimming pool measuring 30 by 20 meters sits. Around it, a bar, a restaurant shaded by pergolas, comfortable deckchairs, and a handful of cabanas for guests of the hotel or external customers. And for the musical atmosphere, it was Béatrice Ardisson who stuck to the decks. Its soundtrack which borrows its rhythms from Brazil, the tropical islands, and the African coasts enlivens the different spaces of this unique place.
What makes the difference: The kitchen. Hélène Darroze, succeeding Yannick Alleno, transforms La Table and La Grande Table in this culinary haven. Massimiliano Alajmo’s Sesamo, along with the garden and Private Tables, offers bespoke gastronomic delights.
3. Riad Adore
Conveniently nestled near Dar el Bacha palace and Souk Cherifa, Riad Adore offers a tranquil oasis seamlessly blending traditional Medina charm with modern comforts. Explore two courtyards featuring a classic marble fountain and a spacious plunge pool, merging through an open-sided salon with cozy club chairs.
One house features an additional indoor dining room, while the other offers a private library and a rooftop with terraces for sun lounging and a Berber tent. Guests can enjoy a plunge pool, relax in the library, or book a ‘gommage’ (a scrub with olive oil soap infused with rose water) in the steamy hammam. Unlike most riads, all 10 bedrooms are modern and well-lit, with the standard rooms being very spacious and affordable. The Bahia and Victoria Suites are particularly luxurious, with large seating areas and the latter even boasting a lovely balcony overlooking the pool. Breakfast varies daily, and guests can help themselves to local wine and beer from the honesty bar in the library. While the Moroccan staff does not serve alcohol, guests can book dinner in the morning and enjoy traditional Moroccan dishes by the fire on the roof on cooler evenings.
What makes the difference: The riad offers a peaceful and refined atmosphere, with a courtyard pool and a pint-sized hammam. Guests can enjoy lovely rooftop dining in front of an open fire, massage, hammam, and beauty treatments. The riad also has an honesty bar, micro-spa, and restaurant with an exciting menu. Riad Adore is known for its warm and friendly service, stylish architecture, modern Moroccan décor, and well-thought-out spaces.
