The Most Beautiful Hotels in Marrakech

Once the plane touched down at the Marrakech airport, we were amazed at how little time—just three hours—it took us to go from often gloomy Paris to a colorful and welcoming world! The Red City, which is attracting more and more French visitors, boasts a wide variety of high-quality hotels… Here’s a quick overview.

The Two Towers

It all began with an astonishing story: Les Deux Tours—named as a nod to the two towers at the estate’s entrance—was never intended to be a hotel! Set in the Palmeraie on over 3 hectares, this estate—with the feel of an Arab-Andalusian village, just 15 minutes from Jemaa el-Fna Square—originally consisted of six villas. Designed by Charles Boccara, a local architect, they were intended for sale. With the outbreak of the first Gulf War, he had to rethink his plans and converted the property into a bed-and-breakfast. Today, this luxury hotel in Marrakech With 41 rooms and suites, each one unique—special mention goes to the five villas known as «exceptional suites,» each featuring a garden and a private pool—it stands as a symbol of refinement. We love the decor, which highlights Moroccan identity: Berber rugs repurposed as headboards, zellige tiles, and tataoui ceilings… blended with furniture from the ’60s and ’70s. All the hallmarks of elegant luxury are present: lush gardens planted with bougainvilleas, palm trees, olive trees, and orange trees… enlivened by water lilies and fountains, four-poster beds scattered throughout the garden, not to mention a long swimming pool (28m x 5m) heated to 28° and even a barber shop. Dining takes center stage with 2 restaurants. At Salammbô, the fine-dining restaurant with its Oriental-inspired decor, the focus is on classic Franco-Moroccan dishes prepared with herbs and vegetables from the garden. As for La Pergola in the garden by the pool, we love its menu, which features everything from club sandwiches, burgers, a variety of salads… as well as shrimp tagines with charmoula and vegetables, kefta skewers, and sautéed fava beans with spinach… Finally, don’t miss out on a treatment at the wellness center under any circumstances.

The highlight: The Yoshi Bar on the terrace, which holds a secret: a marble counter where you can enjoy sushi, sashimi, and other delicacies straight from the Land of the Rising Sun…

Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech

The Mandarin Group's first location in North Africa, this 5 stars It features 54 villas and a main building housing 4 restaurants and 9 suites, all set in the heart of an extraordinary garden. Spanning 30 hectares, the garden is planted with palm trees, willows, jasmine, laurel trees, olive trees over a century old, and no fewer than 100,000 roses… As soon as you enter the lobby, you’ll notice the iconic Mandarin fan, designed by Zireb Joundy and inspired by the hotel’s gray and white tones, accented with touches of saffron. Designers Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, responsible for the interior design, sought to «lose themselves in all the nuances of the desert and its rocks.» The result is a space with Berber influences: tadelakt, mashrabiya screens, carved stucco ceilings, hand-woven rugs… The villas Ranging in size from 280 to 440 m², they feature a spacious bedroom and small living areas opening onto the patio, where a swimming pool is situated. The 9 suites, ranging from 135 to 210 m², each feature a terrace with a plunge pool. When it comes to dining, there are four very distinct restaurants and a bar: Shirvan, where Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal offers a culinary journey around the world; Ling Ling by Hakkasan, where guests can enjoy small plates of Cantonese dishes to share; the very pleasant Pool Garden, a poolside terrace serving a Mediterranean-inspired menu; and finally, The Tent, for a signature cocktail at the end of the day.

The highlight: the spa, This incredible space spans 1,800 m² and features red brick walls and columns. Designers Gilles and Boissier drew inspiration from the architecture of Andalusian cathedrals and mosques. It features six treatment rooms, including a couples’ suite, a single-occupancy suite, and a Thai massage room. A huge swimming pool, two hammams, a hair salon, a beauty salon, a yoga studio, and a fitness center round out the offerings at this extraordinary spa.

Le Naoura

Opened in 2009, this first Barrière Group property outside of France enjoys an exceptional location, adjacent to the medina and a 10-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna Square. Surrounded by high walls reminiscent of the city’s ramparts, the Naoura covers an area of more than two hectares—a rare find in the heart of the city. The tall, studded doors at the entrance lead to a lobby decorated in shades of black and ivory that opens onto the immense pool—26 meters long by 15 meters wide—the true heart of the hotel. Guests are happy to take a seat at the restaurant bordering the pool for lunch or a drink in the sun. The hotel features 85 rooms, each at least 46 m² in size, and 4 suites, each offering a large terrace and an unobstructed view of the pool. The decor, designed by Pascal Desprez, features a range of white and beige tones accented by colorful touches on the cushions and bedspreads, creating an exceptionally elegant look. A pleasant surprise: the junior suites feature two bathrooms facing each other. It’s perfect for couples! As for the balcony-terraces, furnished with armchairs and sofas, they serve as an outdoor living room and offer a direct view of the Koutoubia… The restaurant, named Fouquet’s, resembles its legendary predecessor, the’Parisian hotel on the Champs-Élysées : dark wood walls, red studded armchairs, and portraits of actors on the walls. The menu features a few classics from both countries—sole meunière, foie gras…—alongside a variety of tagines, pastillas, and couscous. As for the spa, it spans 1,200 m², bathed in natural light, all white, and features columns and wide white sheer curtains… It includes 7 treatment rooms—3 of which are double—a hammam, a sauna, and a water circuit equipped with aquabikes. Treatments are provided using products from Nectarome, a 100% organic Moroccan brand. Finally, Naoura features 26 ultra-luxurious riads with private pools, ranging in size from 240 to 450 m², dotted along narrow streets lined with fragrant plants. 

The highlight: The Family-Style menu, where Chef Hamza Afquir welcomes you like family with a medley of dishes to share: sea bass ceviche, shrimp with eggplant cream, mango and salmon cannelloni, mini pastillas, Moroccan pizza… a real treat. A must-try!

Selman: The Moroccan Kingdom of Thoroughbreds 

As soon as you arrive, you’re blown away by the immense, 80-meter-long emerald-hued pool that stretches through the gardens… This 5-star hotel, nestled in the heart of a six-hectare estate, is no ordinary hotel: it was born out of Abdeslam and Saïda Bennani Smires’ passion for thoroughbreds. With the help of architect and interior designer Jacques Garcia, they envisioned a hotel—or rather, an Arab-Moorish palace—where the horse reigns supreme. Throughout the 55 rooms and suites, as well as 5 private villas (ranging from 580 m² to 700 m²), the decor showcases Highlights of Moroccan crafts: carved wood, studded leather, chiseled plaster, glazed zellige tiles, moucharabiehs, the ensemble imbued with an Art Deco spirit. A tip: Don't miss a tour of the stables designed by Jacques Garcia. There are five restaurants and bars here, each offering a variety of atmospheres. Since the spring of 2024, two-Michelin-starred chef Jean-François Piège has been at the helm of the kitchens at the restaurants of the Selman. At La Terrasse by Jean-François Piège, guests can enjoy signature dishes such as Mediterranean bluefin tuna with pepper sauce, and gravlax-style sea bream carpaccio marinated in dill and cucumber vinegar…. At Assyl, run by an all-female kitchen staff, fans of Moroccan cuisine won’t be disappointed: housed in a pavilion extending from the pool, it offers a top-notch dining experience.  All the great classics are on the menu: briouates, seafood pastilla, chicken with candied lemon… Finally, at Le Pavillon, for lunch on the terraces overlooking the pool, the menu features Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The icing on the cake: every Sunday, once the warm weather arrives, During a memorable brunch, we witness the thoroughbred parade.  

The highlight: The spa, covering 1,200 m², features seven treatment rooms, four hydrotherapy rooms, a jet massage pool, two heated outdoor pools, two steam rooms, and a fitness center. Its standout feature? IIt is the only spa in Morocco to feature the Chenot method, renowned for its detoxifying properties. Don’t miss the chance to treat yourself to a treatment at this one-of-a-kind spa. In addition to a wide range of treatments, it offers various wellness programs lasting one day or 3, 5, and 7 days.

La Mamounia

This 5-star hotel, one of the most iconic in the world, has welcomed every celebrity on the planet through its gilded halls for a century: from Alfred Hitchcock to Winston Churchill, including Claude Lelouch, the Rolling Stones, Sharon Stone, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Nelson Mandela, and Nicole Kidman… This comes as no surprise: La Mamounia boasts unbeatable assets—a prime location just steps from Jemaa el-Fna Square, exceptional gardens, and a fabulous pool. And much more besides! 

Although the hotel has undergone several renovations, it treated itself to a facelift in 2023—just in time for its centennial—led by the design duo Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku, who succeeded in breathing new life into the spaces. In the lobby, guests can admire the centerpiece of this renovation: the Centennial Chandelier, renamed the “Jewel of the Grande Dame,” a tribute to Moroccan arts and traditions inspired by traditional jewelry. The hotel now features 135 guest rooms, 65 suites, 6 exceptional suites, and 3 luxurious riads. The decor celebrates Moroccan identity with zouac ceilings and moucharabiehs blended with contemporary elements, creating a warm atmosphere. The same ambiance extends to the marble-adorned bathrooms, accented with zellige tiles and featuring both showers and bathtubs.

When it comes to fine dining, La Mamounia is in a league of its own, offering four restaurants. At L’Asiatique, set in an exotic setting on the terrace, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s menu showcases the diverse flavors of Southeast Asia. Also helmed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, L’Italien transports diners to a Roman trattoria, while Le Marocain—a three-story riad nestled in the heart of the gardens and featuring Arab-Andalusian architecture—serves local specialties crafted by Chef Rachid Agouray. Finally, the Pavillon, situated by the stunning, completely renovated pool, offers sumptuous buffets and a legendary brunch. Before (or after) these feasts, treat yourself to a detour to the new Majorelle Bar, with its open-air seating, or the Churchill Bar, with its intimate decor featuring smoked oak and black marble, next to the new movie theater. 

The highlight: The spa, which spans 2,500 m² and features décor straight out of *One Thousand and One Nights*, is accessed via a stunning Majorelle blue staircase adorned with lanterns, zellige tiles, tadelakt, and wood paneling. It features an indoor pool heated to 28°, two traditional hammams, 10 treatment rooms (including two for couples), a hair salon, a barber shop, and a nail salon… As for the treatments, they feature products by Valmont, the prestigious Swiss anti-aging cellular cosmetics brand; marocMaroc, a luxurious and refined skincare line; and, for the first time in Morocco, the young brand Augustinus Bader, which has already achieved cult status.

By: Adine Fichot-Marion