African, European and Middle Eastern traditions mix in Marrakech – a vibrant city that has long been a haven for artists and fashion designers, and is a year-round travel destination. Known for its rich craftsmanship heritage, bustling souks, ornate palaces and verdant gardens, it promises to arouse the senses.
‘This city taught me colour,’ Yves Saint Laurent once declared.
Whether you want to stay in the heart of the 11th-century medina, the more peaceful Palmeraie oasis, or the foothills of the Atlas mountains, here are eight of the best Marrakech riads and villas to rent.
Hambay, Marrakech
Ancient olive trees surround this Marrakech property, which has an on-site spa. Guests can luxuriate in the hammam and massage rooms, or claim one of the villa’s white wooden loungers and relax by the pool. Inside, things are kept cool with polished concrete and tiled floors, and walls in muted colours. Several of the villa’s 11 bedrooms open straight onto the surrounding gardens, and there’s also a rooftop terrace for views across the grounds.
From £1,596 per night
Hambay, Marrakech
Ancient olive trees surround this Marrakech property, which has an on-site spa. Guests can luxuriate in the hammam and massage rooms, or claim one of the villa’s white wooden loungers and relax by the pool. Inside, things are kept cool with polished concrete and tiled floors, and walls in muted colours. Several of the villa’s 11 bedrooms open straight onto the surrounding gardens, and there’s also a rooftop terrace for views across the grounds.
From £1,596 per night
Riad 42, Marrakech
Located in the heart of the Marrakech medina, Riad 42 is replete with traditional details – from its wrought iron panels to the columns of its interior courtyard. The building has been carefully restored by its owners, who have given the riad a fresh lick of white paint and added minimalist wooden furniture. End a busy day at the souk on the home’s sheltered rooftop terrace.
From $630 per night
Riad 42, Marrakech
Located in the heart of the Marrakech medina, Riad 42 is replete with traditional details – from its wrought iron panels to the columns of its interior courtyard. The building has been carefully restored by its owners, who have given the riad a fresh lick of white paint and added minimalist wooden furniture. End a busy day at the souk on the home’s sheltered rooftop terrace.
From $630 per night
Riad 42, Marrakech
Located in the heart of the Marrakech medina, Riad 42 is replete with traditional details – from its wrought iron panels to the columns of its interior courtyard. The building has been carefully restored by its owners, who have given the riad a fresh lick of white paint and added minimalist wooden furniture. End a busy day at the souk on the home’s sheltered rooftop terrace.
From $630 per night
Riad Jardin Secret, Marrakech
This six-bedroom bolthole has undergone a total rejuvenation by its owners, who have restored its intricate mosaic tiles and added a 1970s-inspired spin. Breakfast on the plant-filled roof terrace, which looks out towards the Atlas mountains, before heading out to the medina. Guests can browse the riad’s boutique store of locally made goods for a souvenir to take home.
The entire home can be rented on request, while individual bedrooms start at €150 per night
Photography: Rigot Tang
Riad Jardin Secret, Marrakech
This six-bedroom bolthole has undergone a total rejuvenation by its owners, who have restored its intricate mosaic tiles and added a 1970s-inspired spin. Breakfast on the plant-filled roof terrace, which looks out towards the Atlas mountains, before heading out to the medina. Guests can browse the riad’s boutique store of locally made goods for a souvenir to take home.
The entire home can be rented on request, while individual bedrooms start at €150 per night
Photography: Rigot Tang
Tamilla, Marrakech
Bedrooms overlook a cactus-dotted lawn at this Marrakech retreat, which mixes touches of traditional Morocco with contemporary design. Statement light fixtures feature across the villa, alongside geometric tiles and rugs. There’s a plant-lined ‘alfresco lounge’ for escaping the sun, as well as a covered terrace that overlooks the lawn. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum is in easy reach.
From £1,143 per night
Tamilla, Marrakech
Bedrooms overlook a cactus-dotted lawn at this Marrakech retreat, which mixes touches of traditional Morocco with contemporary design. Statement light fixtures feature across the villa, alongside geometric tiles and rugs. There’s a plant-lined ‘alfresco lounge’ for escaping the sun, as well as a covered terrace that overlooks the lawn. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum is in easy reach.
From £1,143 per night
Villa E, Marrakech
Those wanting to escape the city should head for Villa E, located at the foothills of the Atlas mountains and a 30-minute drive from Marrakech. There are forest views from every angle, which can be admired while enjoying a dip in the property’s infinity pool, or from behind the pivoting glass doors of the lounge.
From £1,667 per night
Villa E, Marrakech
Those wanting to escape the city should head for Villa E, located at the foothills of the Atlas mountains and a 30-minute drive from Marrakech. There are forest views from every angle, which can be admired while enjoying a dip in the property’s infinity pool, or from behind the pivoting glass doors of the lounge.
From £1,667 per night
Dar Cheref
The courtyard of the Marrakech riad – for rent in the Lakour quarter of the medina – is a leafy oasis with a plunge pool, palm trees and climbing vines. White walls are offset by blue wooden doors, while rooms feature cool floor tiles and geometric Moroccan fabrics. Its crowning jewel is the rooftop terrace, with views towards the Pasha’s palace, and Jamaa el Fna, which is just 10 minutes walk away.
From €190 per Villa Novo
Dar Cheref
The courtyard of the Marrakech riad – for rent in the Lakour quarter of the medina – is a leafy oasis with a plunge pool, palm trees and climbing vines. White walls are offset by blue wooden doors, while rooms feature cool floor tiles and geometric Moroccan fabrics. Its crowning jewel is the rooftop terrace, with views towards the Pasha’s palace, and Jamaa el Fna, which is just 10 minutes walk away.
From €190 per Villa Novo
Villa Alkhozama
Sitting in the exclusive Palmeraie enclave, surrounded by ancient olive groves, Villa Alkhozama was designed by Moroccan architect Karim el Achak from Agence Architecture Associati of Marrakech. The two-bedroom hideaway is set around a sunken 12-metre-long pool and sun terrace. Colefax and Fowler’s design director, Philip Hooper curated the villa’s interiors, selecting furniture and bespoke lighting for the secluded home. Worth noting is its lofty living room, with its painted ceiling and large open fireplace for chilly nights, and the separate dining area which has a dramatic domed ceiling.
POA via Ezzahra Morocco
Villa Alkhozama
Sitting in the exclusive Palmeraie enclave, surrounded by ancient olive groves, Villa Alkhozama was designed by Moroccan architect Karim el Achak from Agence Architecture Associati of Marrakech. The two-bedroom hideaway is set around a sunken 12-metre-long pool and sun terrace. Colefax and Fowler’s design director, Philip Hooper curated the villa’s interiors, selecting furniture and bespoke lighting for the secluded home. Worth noting is its lofty living room, with its painted ceiling and large open fireplace for chilly nights, and the separate dining area which has a dramatic domed ceiling.
POA via Ezzahra Morocco
Villa Agaves
It’s all about the outdoor spaces at Villa Agaves, which has a verdant courtyard at its heart and sits in the middle of an old olive grove. Belgian architect Quentin Wilbaux designed the contemporary property, which borrows from traditional Moroccan architecture.
From €940 per night
Villa Agaves
It’s all about the outdoor spaces at Villa Agaves, which has a verdant courtyard at its heart and sits in the middle of an old olive grove. Belgian architect Quentin Wilbaux designed the contemporary property, which borrows from traditional Moroccan architecture.
From €940 per night
Villa Agaves
It’s all about the outdoor spaces at Villa Agaves, which has a verdant courtyard at its heart and sits in the middle of an old olive grove. Belgian architect Quentin Wilbaux designed the contemporary property, which borrows from traditional Moroccan architecture.
From €940 per night
