If you feel overwhelmed scrolling through all the options on Booking and Hotels.com – Marrakech will be even more difficult due to how many hotels and properties there are. Personally, after having travelled to Morocco and stayed in several different Marrakech boutique hotels (riads) during my trip – I would always suggest taking a recommendation for a place to stay in the city. It just helps you to navigate which properties will truly give you a boutique experience worth shouting about (and which ones will have critters running around.)
Don’t miss my Marrakech Travel Guide – jam-packed with everything you need to know before booking a trip!
If you're visiting Agadir - here's a blog on 13 Best Things To Do in Agadir, Morocco
Planning a trip to Marrakech? Here's everything you need to know:
- 3 Incredible Boutique Marrakech Boutique Hotels
- What area of Marrakech is best to stay?
- Where not to stay in Marrakech?
- What is the difference between a Riad and a hotel in Marrakech?
- Do and don'ts in Marrakech?
- Can you drink alcohol in Marrakech riads?
- How to get from Marrakech airport to riad?
- Is it safe to walk around Marrakech at night?
3 Incredible Boutique Marrakech Boutique Hotels
1. Riad Hikaya Marrakech
For a taste of luxury at a reasonable price, Riad Hikaya offers a truly boutique hotel experience with just 10 rooms and a service that is unmatched. From the second you walk through the unassuming doorway and bathe in the grandeur of the opulent surroundings, you are given the warmest welcome and experience the famous Moroccan hospitality. Experience the authentic charm of Marrakech through Riad Hikaya's unique design, with each room more luxurious than the last. A truly tranquil escape.
Did you know that "Hikaya" means "Story in Arabic? This Marrakech boutique hotel (riad) gives you the opportunity to let your Moroccan tale unfold as you soak up the culture and enjoy world-class service. From feeling like an actual princess as you prepare for the day in the stunning bathroom suites to the sounds of the city waking up, to slow mornings on the rooftop of the riad as you enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast overlooking the Medina. Book a spa treatment or sip mint tea in the cool gardens.
I stayed in the exquisitely decorated Karama room (which translates to dignity in Arabic) which is adorned with the grandest of decorations with rich desert silks, antique carpets, elegant velvet chairs and hand-painted mirrors. The real star of the show was the intricately decorative bathroom, boasting a hand-painted, mirrored feature wall, a sumptuous handcrafted bath and a separate domed shower providing a lavish environment to revitalise you.
Rooms start from £113 per night.
2. Riad Livia Marrakech
From the moment you walk in the door at Riad Livia Marrakech, you are greeted with a relaxing spa-like oasis. Just outside the doors to this Marrakech boutique hotel (riad) lies the bustling heart of the Medina, but once the doors close, you hear nothing but birdsong and trickling water while the scent of orange blossoms mingles on the light breeze. Around the courtyard are shaded rooms providing a welcome respite from the midday sun, each one a calming space designed to relax and revitalise you after a busy day in the souk. With just five suites, this boutique riad offers such a personalised experience laden with warmth and hospitality.
Don't miss the stunning rooftop which will quickly become your favourite adults-only hideaway – enjoy leisurely Moroccan breakfasts served to the sound of birdsong and the bustle of the street below. After a day of exploring, retreat to a sunny spot on the rooftop to enjoy a good book or take a dip in the plunge pool. I stayed in Suite Fountain on the ground floor, which was the perfect Marrakech hideaway for two.
Rooms from £100.
3. Riad Ayada Marrakech
If you're looking for a Marrakech boutique hotel (riad) but with a more authentic and cosy feel – don't miss Riad Ayada Marrakech. You'll be given the warmest welcome by your lovely host, Delphine, in the bright courtyard filled with birdsong as the swimming pool trickles in the background. This Marrakech riad is the most central of all three, at just 600m from the cheart of the Medina, and provides a perfect base for your Moroccan adventures.
With vast rooms featuring cute terraces where you can enjoy a sunny breakfast to start your morning, or relax with a good book in the afternoon. When you imagine an oasis, this leafy haven where birds dart between the trees and the cooler air provides a welcome respite from the midday sun, is exactly what you will picture. I stayed in both a double room with private bathroom on the ground floor and the top floor double room with terrace – both were beautiful rooms.
Rooms from £76.
What area of Marrakech is best to stay?
Stay in the heart of the Medina to fully immerse yourself in the authentic Moroccan experience. Marrakech boutique hotels (also known as Riads) are dotted about the winding alleyways of the Medina and provide an authentic experience of a Moroccan guest house with just a few rooms – sometimes from five to ten bedrooms set around a beautiful courtyard and just a few hundred metres from the souk, markets and main square. This is the most vibrant and exciting part of Marrakech to stay in, also providing easy accessibility to all the best activities, restaurants and experiences during your stay.Where not to stay in Marrakech?
If you're looking to experience authentic Marrakech, try to avoid staying in the all inclusive hotels that sit on the outskirts of Marrakech or in the newer part of the city. While these hotels are beautiful with high class service, they don't give you a real feel for the city or allow you to fully experience Moroccan hospitality and that personalised service. Staying in these parts of Marrakech instead of booking Marrakech boutique hotels in the medina means you won't get to experience the hustle and bustle of the busy streets and the vibrancy of the nightlife, you also won't have the same freedom to go out and explore as it suits you.What is the difference between a Riad and a hotel in Marrakech?
When choosing your Marrakech boutique hotel, you should always look to stay in a Riad. These family-run guest houses offer a traditional Moroccan experience with the hospitality and personalised, detailed attention for each guest who visits. They also have the benefits of just a limited humber of rooms which makes your stay feel even more exclusive and luxury. Most Marrakech riads will feature opulent decoration, an oasis-like courtyard to provide respite from the busy Moroccan streets and often a plunge pool to cool off in. At some, you can also enjoy dining on authentic, home-cooked Moroccan cuisine using traditional recipes passed from one generation to the next, or enjoy a hammam spa experience.Do and don'ts in Marrakech?
- Do your accommodation's airport transport service or shuttle to avoid being targeted by scammer taxi drivers
- Don't let anyone carry your bags for you – often they will say they work for your hotel but then demand money
- Don't take directions from strangers – ask at your hotel to avoid being sent to the wrong place
- Don't get into a taxi without a metre or one that has been pre-booked by your accommodation
- Don't drink tap water
- Don't have drinks with ice
- Don't eat salads or anything uncooked that could be washed in tap water
- Do remain aware of your surroundings – particularly solo travellers
- Do dress appropriately – cover your shoulders and don't wear suggestive or exposing clothing/short skirts
Can you drink alcohol in Marrakech riads?
Many Marrakech riads will serve alcoholic drinks including beers or wine, they will often have a specific alcohol license which doesn't permit you to bring alcohol from outside into the accommodation. It's always best to check before drinking, or to only order drinks from within your riad to be safe.
How to get from Marrakech airport to riad?
Most Marrakech riads or Marrakech boutique hotels will offer an airport shuttle service when you book. I recommend using this service to avoid getting ripped off by unofficial taxi drivers when you have just arrived.
Is it safe to walk around Marrakech at night?
As a solo female traveller, I felt safe walking around Marrakech at night but I was very cautious about where I chose to walk and my clothing choices to ensure that I wasn't a target in any way. If you are planning to walk around the city at night, please always stay aware of your surroundings and don't drink too much as it may inhibit your ability to get home safe. Marrakech is a very international city and it is lively at night, from the busy market squares, to the lively bars – don't miss out on experiencing the city during the night. If you're feeling nervous as a solo female traveller – why not join Solo Adventure Gals? It's my community of women who love solo travel and we're all about giving you the confidence you need to try solo travel.
