Staying in a riad in Marrakech is a truly special experience that you can only have while in Morocco. The sweet smell of fragrant tea and orange blossoms, the gentle trickling of fountains, and the open-air natural light that floats into the central courtyard with the sound of chirping birds—it’s truly an oasis in the heart of a city that is otherwise quite chaotic and busy.
After visiting almost a dozen riads in Marrakech alone and being wowed by the intricate designs every time, I’ve taken it upon myself to write a guide on the best riads in Marrakech. No matter which riad you choose for your trip to Morocco, it’s hard to go wrong—once you step into the wonderful and peaceful world that is staying in a riad, you’ll understand why it’s more than just accommodation. It’s a cultural experience.
What is a Riad?
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard, often featuring a fountain or pool as a centerpiece. Riads typically exhibit intricate architecture and design elements such as mosaic tiles, carved woodwork, and vibrant textiles, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Morocco.
These historic residences were originally built for wealthy families and nobles, serving as private sanctuaries away from the bustling streets of cities like Marrakech.
Today, many riads have been converted into boutique hotels or small guesthouses. Staying in a riad offers an immersive and authentic experience into Moroccan culture and hospitality!
What Makes a Riad Different From a Hotel?
A riad is not the same as a hotel. In contrast to hotels, riads offer a more intimate and personalized accommodation experience. Most riads typically only have a handful of rooms (almost always in the single digits) arranged around the central courtyard.
Additionally, riads are renowned for their attentive service and emphasis on hospitality, with many owners and staff members going above and beyond to ensure guests feel welcomed and cared for. The ambiance of a riad is distinctively Moroccan, with traditional furnishings, aromatic scents, and often home-cooked meals.
We experienced firsthand the warmth and hospitality that comes with staying at a riad, from the staff personally welcoming us home every night to the almost hourly offers of fresh tea and desserts. I’m not exaggerating when I say a riad is truly a home away from home.
🐪 Read more: Riads, Souks, and Spices: A Guide to Marrakech, Morocco
The 10 Best Riads in Marrakech
There are countless beautiful riads in Marrakech—it would be impossible to list them all! However, I’ve gathered here some of my personal favorite riads in Marrakech and why these are extra-special.
1. Riad BE Marrakech
Riad BE is one of the most iconic riads in Marrakech—and for good reason! With its central pool, dizzying array of green and blue tiles, greenery, and warm colorful rooftop, Riad BE is stunning. Every corner is an incredible photo op, and the staff is warm and welcoming in true Moroccan fashion. With only a few guest rooms, Riad BE offers an intimate and personalized experience, with attentive staff catering to the needs of each guest.
Personally, I loved eating lunch by the pool, sampling classic Moroccan tagine and drinking mint tea. The rooftop is just as wonderful, bathed in sunlight and full of colors, patterns, and golden hour warmth. Riad BE prides itself on its culinary offerings, serving delicious Moroccan dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Because Riad BE only has a few rooms and is so popular, they get booked out in advance quickly! If you want to visit the riad but there are no available dates for your stay, you can inquire about a lunch reservation (around 40 euros per person), which will give you access to the whole riad. Even though the price is more expensive than almost anywhere else in the city, it’s worth it to see one of the best riads in Marrakech.
2. Ryad Dyor
We personally stayed at Ryad Dyor for a few nights in Marrakech and were truly blown away by the hospitality and warmth of the staff. Ryad Dyor’s central pool is in an open-air courtyard framed with orange trees and vibrant purple bougainvillea, with a second pool on the rooftop. The staff tends to your every need, to the point that you don’t even get a room key: they only open the door for resident guests, and the feeling of them welcoming you home every night is truly special.
Not to mention, the staff personally cooks your breakfast to order every morning on the rooftop. The peace and tranquility that is Ryad Dyor, paired with the incredible attention to detail, had us missing this riad as soon as we left and for the rest of the trip. I still talk about it to everyone who asks about my trip to Morocco because the wonderful staff at Ryad Dyor made it just that special for us! Ryad Dyor is one of the best riads in Marrakech and I will remember our experience here forever.
Click here to book your stay at Ryad Dyor.
3. La Sultana Marrakech
La Sultana is a five-star accommodation in the historic medina of Marrakech, near the iconic Koutoubia Mosque and Jemaa el-Fna Square. Spread across several interconnected riads, La Sultana features stunning Moorish architecture, intricate tilework, and ornate furnishings—you can tell that this is top-of-the-line luxury accommodation.
The many exquisite riads and suites are uniquely decorated, showcasing the uniqueness of Moroccan design and offering modern amenities for utmost comfort. The spa at La Sultana is particularly famous for its treatments and services, including its traditional Moroccan hammam.
Don’t forget to have lunch or dinner on the rooftop—the views of the nearby mosques are unrivaled, and the food is some of the most delicious that we had in all of Morocco. While La Sultana offers plenty of traditional Moroccan food, this is also one of the best places to indulge in seafood—we had grilled crawfish, sea bass, and a lobster salad that was more lobster than salad!
Click here to book your stay at La Sultana Marrakech.
4. The Royal Mansour Marrakech
The Royal Mansour is a highly prestigious, luxury riad complex. The place was commissioned by King Mohammed VI himself and is often the hotel of choice for visiting celebrities or royalty. Designed to resemble a traditional Moroccan medina, the Royal Mansour is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture and craftsmanship, with every detail meticulously handcrafted by local artisans. It’s one of the best riads in Marrakech for a reason!
The Royal Mansour’s collection of riads offer privacy and exclusivity. Some riads even boast private plunge pools, rooftop terraces, and personal hammams! Additionally, the hotel is home to several acclaimed restaurants by Michelin-starred chefs. And don’t forget about the world-class spa, which is not only luxurious and serene but also an Instagrammable paradise.
Click here to book your stay at the Royal Mansour Marrakech.
5. La Mamounia
La Mamounia is a legendary luxury hotel located in the heart of Marrakech, Morocco. The hotel boasts many different kinds of accommodations, including rooms, suites, and several opulent riads. Many rooms offer beautiful views of the gardens or the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the background.
Like the Royal Mansour, La Mamounia is top-class luxury treatment, with exceptional dining experiences, a holistic spa with traditional Moroccan treatments and hammams, and luxurious boutiques and leisure activities.
🐪 Staying in a riad is just one of many incredible things to do in Marrakech. Check out my ultimate Marrakech Travel Guide!
6. Kenzara Suites
Kenzara Suites is a recently opened private riad experience in the old city of Marrakech. Behind an otherwise uninteresting door lies this brightly designed modern riad, complete with a plunge pool and Moroccan tiles. Kenzara Suites certainly feels more minimalist and contemporary than a traditional Moroccan riad, combining the best of both worlds. The designers have done an incredible job of maintaining the traditional riad vibe while adding in modern furnishings and Western avant-garde choices.
Kenzara Suites is completely private and does not offer any other facilities for non-resident guests. If you want to experience this bright and airy riad for yourself, you’ll have to make a booking!
Click here to book your stay at Kenzara Suites.
7. Le Riad Yasmine
Riad Yasmine is another one of the best riads in Marrakech which has gained fame around the world. The design is similar to Riad BE, full of bright blue-and-green tiles with a luxurious central pool. The common area is adorned with lush greenery and cozy seating areas for guests to relax and unwind. Each room in the riad is uniquely decorated with Moroccan-inspired furnishing and modern amenities. Even though the riad is very small, there are a variety of room types, including standard, deluxe, and large family suites.
One of the highlights of Riad Yasmine is its rooftop terrace, offering panoramic views of the city skyline and the Atlas Mountains. This tranquil setting is perfect for enjoying breakfast in the morning or sipping mint tea in the afternoon while taking in the sights and sounds of Marrakech. If you are not staying at Riad Yasmine—it often books out months in advance—you can inquire about a lunch reservation to gain access to the riad.
8. Palais Riad Lamrani
Palais Riad Lamrani is a Marrakech riad with a stunning central garden and dining area. With its blue, yellow, and black tiles, the patterns in the courtyard are dizzying and unique. Guests and non-guests alike can walk underneath the lush canopy heavy with ripe oranges, indulging in the peace and quiet and listening to the sound of the central fountain covered in roses. The pool, surrounded by warm terracotta-colored walls, is also a favorite of guests and photographers alike.
If you’re not staying at Palais Riad Lamrani, you can choose to have a meal if you want to sit in the beautiful courtyard, but it’s not necessary if you just want to walk around. We simply walked in and enjoyed exploring the riad and no one seemed to mind!
Click here to book your stay at Palais Riad Lamrani.
9. Es Saadi Resort
Full disclosure: Es Saadi is actually not a riad. However, it would be criminal to exclude this luxury resort from the list of the best places to stay in Marrakech! Spread across eight hectares of lush gardens, Es Saadi Resort offers a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city, while still being conveniently close to the medina and other major attractions.
The size of Es Saadi basically means you never need step outside of the grounds if you so choose. There are multiple accommodation options, restaurants and bars, a spa and wellness center, tennis courts, a casino, and a nightclub. Additionally, the resort features beautifully landscaped gardens and scenic terraces. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury getaway, Es Saadi is the best resort you could find in Marrakech.
Click here to book your stay at Es Saadi Resort.
10. Riad Ksar Kasbah
Riad Ksar Kasbah is one of the lesser-known riads in the city, but still makes it on my list of the best riads in Marrakech. In typical riad fashion, the central courtyard boasts a large pool and comfortable lounge chairs, with the private rooms along the edges of the courtyard.
However, the rooftop is where Riad Ksar Kasbah really shines. With an excellent view of both nearby mosques, the large rooftop is unparalleled. Striped cushioned sofas with a low railing mean that your view is perfectly unblocked, and the sunsets from here are just fantastic.
Take my advice and have dinner on the roof—though there’s a 150 dirham-per-person minimum, the views are totally worth it. And you’ll make many, many cat friends!
Click here to book your stay at Riad Ksar Kasbah.
