Are you ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes of Morocco, but wondering what makes a truly unforgettable travel experience?
Morocco is a treasure trove of diverse accommodations, ranging from traditional riads nestled in ancient medinas to luxurious resorts and unique desert camps, offering the perfect places to stay for every kind of traveller.
When planning your trip, finding the ideal place to stay can significantly enhance your overall experience. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or a solo adventure, Morocco has something to offer.
Discovering The Top Stays in Morocco: An Overview
As you plan your trip to Morocco, you’ll discover a diverse range of accommodations to suit every taste and budget. Morocco offers a huge range of accommodation options, from super low-budget homestays to high-end resort hotels.
Types of Accommodations You’ll Find
You’ll find a variety of hotels and riads, as well as budget-friendly guesthouses and unique desert camps. Morocco presents travellers with diverse accommodation options, including traditional riads and dars, luxury hotels, budget hostels, and desert camps. Riads, the quintessential Moroccan stay, offer an authentic cultural experience in ancient medinas.
What Makes Moroccan Stays Unique
What sets Moroccan stays apart is their distinctive architecture, featuring intricate tilework and central courtyards that create peaceful retreats. Many accommodations in Morocco offer rooftop terraces with panoramic views, providing the perfect way to enjoy sunrise or sunset. The warm hospitality, known as the “Moroccan welcome,” is another unique aspect, making your stay truly memorable.
Understanding Riads: Morocco’s Traditional Accommodation
Riads are not just places to stay; they are gateways to experiencing the heart of Moroccan culture and hospitality. When you stay in a riad, you’re immersing yourself in the traditional Moroccan way of life.
What Exactly Is a Riad?
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden or courtyard, typically found in the heart of the medina in cities like Marrakesh and Fez. The term “riad” originates from the Arabic word for garden, emphasising the central importance of the courtyard space.
Unlike modern hotels, riads usually have a limited number of rooms, offering a more intimate experience. You can expect to find riads with beautifully decorated interiors, showcasing Morocco’s rich artisanal heritage.
The Architecture and Design of Riads
The architecture of riads is designed to create a peaceful microclimate, with the central courtyard often featuring a fountain or small pool, plants, and seating areas. Traditional design elements include intricate zellij tilework, carved cedar wood, and tadelakt walls, which add to the charm of these guesthouses.
Many riads have been converted from family homes into charming accommodations, with rooftop terraces offering panoramic views of the medina.
Riad Etiquette and What to Expect
When staying in a riad, it’s essential to be mindful of the building’s historical nature and respect quiet hours, especially during prayer times. You should also understand that amenities may differ from those in standard hotels.
Many riads offer communal dining experiences and personalised service, allowing you to connect with hosts and learn about local culture and customs.
Top Cities in Morocco and Their Accommodation Highlights
As you explore Morocco, you’ll discover that each city has its own distinct character and accommodation highlights. From the vibrant streets of Marrakesh to the serene landscapes of the Atlas Mountains, every location offers a unique experience.
Marrakesh: The Red City
Marrakesh, often referred to as the Red City due to its distinctive terracotta buildings, offers the widest range of accommodation options in Morocco. You can choose from luxury hotels in the modern Gueliz district to traditional riads within the ancient medina.
The medina of Marrakesh is home to some of the country’s most beautiful riads, with neighbourhoods like Kasbah, Mouassine, and Bab Doukkala offering different atmospheres and proximity to major attractions.
Fez: The Cultural Capital
Fes, Morocco’s cultural capital, boasts the world’s largest car-free urban area in its medina. Staying in a restored riad allows you to step back in time and experience life in a medieval city.
Dar Seffarine in Fez exemplifies the city’s historic riads, featuring soaring columns, carved plasterwork, and a stunning rooftop with uninterrupted views over the ancient medina.
Essaouira: The Coastal Gem
Essaouira, a charming coastal town, offers a more relaxed pace of life with riads and hotels that blend Moroccan traditions with a laid-back beach town atmosphere. You can enjoy the beach, sport, art, and gastronomy in this beautiful city at the water’s edge.
Atlas Mountains and Desert Locations
The Atlas Mountains provide unique accommodation experiences in Berber villages like Imlil, where converted kasbahs and mountain lodges offer breathtaking views and access to hiking trails. Meanwhile, desert locations such as Merzouga and Zagora serve as gateways to the Sahara, with luxury desert camps offering an unforgettable experience of sleeping under the stars.
Where to Stay in Morocco: Best Accommodations by Region
Morocco’s diverse regions offer a wide range of accommodations to suit every traveler’s needs. Whether you’re looking for luxury, authenticity, or budget-friendly options, each region has its unique charm and attractions.
Luxury Stays: Berber Lodge and Beyond
For those seeking a luxurious experience, properties like Berber Lodge near Marrakesh offer an understated yet opulent stay. This walled garden oasis features 9 individually styled Berber lodges, a 20-metre pool, and mature olive trees. Guests can enjoy traditional Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine, and rooms feature hand-crafted terracotta tiles and sandblasted walls. Prices start from £150 per night.
Authentic Riads: Dar Seffarine and Riad Dar-K
For an authentic historical experience, riads like Dar Seffarine in Fez are ideal. Hidden behind an unassuming oak door, this guesthouse features soaring columns, rich carved plasterwork, and a stunning rooftop terrace with uninterrupted views over the medina. Prices start from £65 per night. Riad Dar-K in Marrakesh offers a contemporary take on traditional Moroccan design, with a refreshing plunge pool and private terrace. Prices start from £90 per night.
Budget-Friendly Options: Riad Sephora and More
Budget-conscious travellers can find excellent value at places like Riad Sephora in Tinghir near the Todgha Gorge. This riad offers basic but comfortable rooms with amazing views of the Troda river and surrounding gardens, starting from £23 per night.
Unique Stays: Desert Camps and Mountain Retreats
The Atlas Mountains region offers unique accommodation options in converted kasbahs and mountain lodges, providing breathtaking views and access to hiking trails. Desert camps near Merzouga and Zagora range from basic tented experiences to luxury glamping setups with proper beds, en-suite facilities, and gourmet dining under the stars.
Many places to stay across Morocco feature rooftop terraces where guests can enjoy traditional breakfast spreads while taking in panoramic views. The best accommodations in each region typically incorporate elements of local architecture and design traditions while providing modern comforts.
Essential Tips for Booking Your Stay in Morocco
From riads to desert camps, Morocco’s accommodation options are vast; here are some crucial tips to help you book with confidence. When planning your trip to Morocco, choosing the right place to stay is essential for a memorable experience.
Best Booking Platforms and Strategies
You can book your accommodation in Morocco through various platforms such as Booking.com, Airbnb, or directly through the riad’s website. Booking.com is particularly popular, offering perks like Genius discounts and flexible cancellation policies. However, booking directly with your hotel or riad might include additional benefits like complimentary airport transfers. It’s worth comparing the options to find the best deal for your stay.
When using Airbnb, be cautious of listings in the Medina, as they are often managed by riads. Ensure you thoroughly research your chosen accommodation by reading recent reviews and checking the exact location on a map.
When to Book for the Best Rates
To secure the best rates for your accommodation in Morocco, consider booking well in advance, especially during peak travel periods like spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Prices can vary significantly between high and low seasons, with summer months often offering better deals despite the heat. Be aware that winter can be surprisingly chilly in many parts of Morocco.
For longer stays, it’s advisable to inquire about weekly or monthly rates, as many accommodations offer significant discounts for extended bookings, particularly during quieter travel periods.
Special Considerations for Solo Female Travellers
If you’re a solo female traveller, prioritize accommodations in central, well-lit areas with 24-hour reception service. Consider places that cater specifically to solo travellers or have positive reviews from other women travelling alone. It’s also a good idea to check if your accommodation offers airport or train station pickup services, which can be particularly valuable for arrivals at night or if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
Always confirm in advance whether your room has heating or air conditioning, as Morocco experiences extreme temperature fluctuations between seasons. Some traditional buildings may not be well-insulated, so it’s crucial to check the amenities before booking.
Conclusion
As you plan your trip to Morocco, choosing the right accommodation can elevate your travel experience significantly. The key is to balance authenticity with comfort, whether you’re staying in a historic riad within the medina or a modern hotel in a newer city area. Morocco’s diverse geography offers a range of unique stays, from rooftop rooms with breathtaking views to mountain kasbahs in the Atlas Mountains.
To make the most of your stay, consider locations that are slightly removed from the busiest areas, allowing for better rest and easy access to main attractions on foot. Embracing the local culture and hospitality will enrich your experience, making your time in Morocco truly unforgettable.
