After the devastating earthquake in 2023, all eyes are on Marrakech as visitors return to Morocco once more, bringing with them the tourist dollars necessary to help the country rebuild. Out of the rubble, a handful of design-led riads and chic guesthouses have opened, while others have been restored to their former grandeur. Like the rest of Morocco, the so-called ‘Red City’ is known for its riads: traditional townhouses built around an open courtyard garden, often with a plunge pool. Step through the door and the sounds and chaos of the outside world drop away, replaced with birdsong and the fragrance of citrus trees – an idyllic oasis among the hubbub. Read on to discover our favourite riads in Marrakech.

Izza

One of the most exciting openings to come to Marrakech in recent months, Izza bills itself as much as an art gallery as a hotel. The walls display a multi-million-dollar collection of cutting-edge digital and contemporary art, curated in partnership with prominent NFT collector Studio137, among others. Even for guests with no knowledge of digital art, however, every ounce of the hotel and its 14 suites is lovely. The engravings on the bathroom taps, the hand-turned espresso cups at breakfast, the bespoke scent of the foyer and the quaint library with sliding ladders to reach the top books – no detail was too small for the designers during the property’s eight-year renovation. Technically made up of seven interconnecting riads, there are multiple courtyards, pools and rooftops tucked away in the property. Breakfast, served a la carte on the sunny rooftop, has got to be one of the most delicious in Marrakech.

From £140 per night.

Le Farnatchi

Tucked down an unassuming alleyway, Le Farnatchi exudes old-world glamour year-round with its roaring fires and glittering emerald courtyard pool. Though it was damaged during the earthquake, you’d never tell: every intricately carved wooden detail has been perfectly restored by a small army of artisans. The 10 bedrooms are all different, with touches of traditional craftsmanship and a pleasing lack of modernity. There’s an old-school hammam, for those who wish to experience it, and an inviting list of spa treatments using local products. If you’re craving a change from tagine and classic Moroccan fare, head to Le Farnatchi’s restaurant – Le Trou Au Mur – for a spot of modern European fine dining.

From £224 per night.

Rosemary

An intimate riad in one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Marrakech, the deeply nurturing energy of Rosemary comes from its owner, local artist Laurence Leenaert, who spent three years lovingly restoring the property’s original features. As she explains, “the house oozes the kind of atmosphere that can only come from people who loved it in their bones.” Timeless, quirky and artistic, the adult-only riad has just five rooms, and you can hire out the entire place for all your nearest and dearest. A delicious plant-based lunch or dinner can be booked one day in advance from Ninja’s Table.

From £180 per night.

El Fenn

No sooner have you knocked on the imposing wooden door at the address for El Fenn, just off the chaos of the main Medina, than it has mysteriously swung open. Dripping with drama and decorative abundance, El Fenn is a labyrinth of 41 rooms and suites, stretched across multiple historic riads. The hotel is all collonaded balconies with billowing drapes, foliage-filled courtyards and lantern-lit trails. Ignoring the temptation of Marrakech’s most famous square on your doorstep, there are also three inviting pools, a spa, two bars and two restaurants. The newest aspect is a swanky Morocco-meets-Manhattan rooftop bar, with instantly recognisable red-and-white striped parasols. Don’t miss the family of friendly tortoises who live in the courtyard.

From £300 per night.

Riad Yasmine

An eight-bedroom guesthouse in the heart of the Medina, the immaculate dark green and white colour palette at Le Riad Yasmine makes it one of Instagram’s favourite boltholes in Marrakech. Beyond the photogenic veneer, however, this place abounds with friendliness and soul. The property is run by French duo Gabriel and Alice, who have spent the last two decades gradually renovating the property into the green oasis it is today. The pinnacle is the vast rooftop terrace, with views all the way to the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the distance. Keep an eye out for the yoga retreats and long banqueting-style feasts held here from time to time.

From £129 per night.

L’Hôtel Marrakech

The name may be forgettable, but a stay at Jasper Conran’s 19th-century palace-cum-riad – L’Hôtel Marrakech – certainly is not. The latest renovation of this historic building, originally the central part of a Caidal palace, evokes the glamour of luxury hotels in the 1930s. The yellow-striped dining tables in the indoor-outdoor restaurant, the white linen drapes in the bedrooms, and the green-tiled pool are all impossibly tasteful. The five suites are set around the courtyard garden, fragrant with citrus trees and honeysuckle. 

From £466 per night.

La Sultana

Not ones to be limited by size, the owners of illustrious La Sultana have merged four riads together, making space for heated pools, fountains, courtyards and a decadent spa in the very centre of the city. Hidden in plain sight at the heart of the Kasbah, the hotel has 28 opulent rooms and suites, all with marble bathrooms but all different from one another. Unlike more traditional riads, there’s also a contemporary cocktail and mezze bar, a gym, and a large terrace dedicated to cookery classes. 

From £677 per night.

Read more: Coolcationing: The best cold destinations to visit now