Just like in a city with limited accommodation options, it’s not easy to choose the right place to stay when you have so many options. Marrakech is one of those places where you have numerous hotels and riads to choose from. So, it’s difficult to choose the right place to stay in Marrakech as a first-time visitor. After going through this comprehensive guide, you will have a clear picture of the right place to stay.
Before going into the list of specific places, we will discuss the key factors to focus on before making a final decision.
Marrakech Layout:
It’s essential to understand the overall layout of Marrakesh. We can divide it into three main parts.
Medina (Old City):
It is the heart of old traditional Marrakech, rich in culture, amazing narrow streets, traditional riads, and Mosques uplift the beauty of Medina. Here, you can see hustle, crowd, and energy on the streets in the evening.
Gueliz & Hivernage (New City):
It’s just 3 to 4 km from the Marrakech medina, with wide roads lined with cafes, hotels, and restaurants. The more organized modern guilez is best for peace away from the city’s hustle.
Palmeraie:
Away from the city, a quieter palm grove area is becoming popular among people. It is known for luxury resorts and villas, and families prefer the palmeraie for relaxation.
What to Consider Before Selecting any Place?
You should consider the following things before making a final decision on where to stay in Marrakech for a first-time visitor.
Safety:
It’s the first factor to consider while your stay in any part of the world. Without ensuring the safety of your family and belongings, you can not enjoy your tour. So, while looking for a particular riad or hotel, read the reviews of the location. If you want to book online, then confirm the surroundings, whether it is a congested place or a lonely hotel or riada here.
Before booking, ask whether you offer 24-hour reception and security services or only for specific timings.
Easy Access to Famous Locations:
The location should be at the centre of the city, or a particular hotel offering free taxi or shuttle service. Otherwise, it would be very costly and time-consuming to visit famous Mosques, souks, and other historical places. It’s best to choose a location where most visiting places should be on a walking distance.
Dining Facilities:
Must ensure proper dining facilities in your hotel or riad before booking. Choose a place where you can use the kitchen to make your own meal according to your desire and following your diet plan. It would be the greatest experience to choose a meal that best suits you and is budget-friendly.
Amenities and Services:
Check whether your selected place offers some basic services to relax and make your trip memorable. There should be a swimming pool, spa, rooftop terrace, family rooms with attached bathrooms and tour guides. But, if your budget is not enough, you can skip some services, such as staying in an economical hotel without a rooftop terrace.
Best Places to Stay in Marrakech:
As we already discussed earlier, you have three major destinations to stay in Marrakesh: Medina, Gueliz & Hivernage and Palmeraie. You can book a hotel or a riad in any of the mentioned destinations. If you want to stay at the centre of the city with a vibrant atmosphere and walking distance from many historical places, souks, and mosques, the Medina is best.
For those who love to stay in a bit of a calm, wide, and modern place, must choose Guelize. Travellers who prefer to stay away from the city’s noise and fast modern life, the Palmeraie is the right choice to relax. We will cover the top places to stay in all three destinations.
Top Places to Stay in Medina:
Now, we are going to explore some premium hotels and riads to stay in the Marrakech Medina for the first-time visitor.
Royal Mansour Marrakech:
If your budget allows, then it is one of the premium options to stay in Marrakech. It’s not a hotel, it’s a proper royal city with multiple riads, private rooms, and everything you can expect from a luxury hotel.
Royal Mansour Marrakech offers a rooftop terrace, wide living and dining rooms, swimming pools, spa, exceptional privacy, 24-hour security and reception services. Without any second opinion, it is one of the luxurious places to stay in Medina.
La Sultana Marrakech:
Located in the historic Kasbah district inside the Medina of Marrakesh, La Sultana is one of Marrakech’s most famous boutique luxury properties. The traditional Moroccan atmosphere, along with five-star facilities, makes it one of the best choices to stay for the first-time visitor in Marrakech.
The king-size beds, marble bathrooms with luxury bathtubs, full air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour reception facilities are the key features of La Sultana.
La Mamounia:
If you are looking for a luxurious hotel at the heart of Marrakech, within walking distance to the Jemaa el-Fnaa, and many other historical places, La Mamounia is the best. Similar to Royal Mansour, it includes multiple private riads and luxury villas.
The kitchen facilities, mini dining venues, high-speed wifi, private courtyards, lush gardens, and 24-hour reception and security staff make your stay safe, comfortable, and luxurious.
Riad Yasmine:
If you are looking for something exceptional and unique to stay in Marrakesh, Riad Yasmine is perfect. It’s breathtaking boutique riads’ photogenic design, rooftop terrace, and intimate Moroccan guesthouse experience attract tourists around the globe. Another best thinga bout Riad Yasmine is its ideal location, you can easily access multiple historic places such as Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech Museum, Ben Youssef Madrasa, and Traditional souks.
Moreover, they offer every top-class facility you can expect as a tourist.
Gueliz / Hivernage Area:
Here is the list of the most luxurious places to stay in Gueliz.
Kenzi Menara Palace:
Located in the Agdal district near Avenue Mohammed VI in Marrakesh, Kenzi Menara Palace is a large five-star luxury hotel and resort-style property. It’s different from other general hotels in Medina, offering spacious resort facilities, courtyards, gardens, pools, and quality spa services.
Kenzi Menara Palace provides top-notch Concierge Services covering Atlas Mountain trips, desert tours, golf reservations, shuttle assistance and many others.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech Carré Eden:
It’s time to explore another masterpiece in the Guilez district of Marrakech. This luxurious five-star hotel is connected to Carré Eden shopping complex, a breathtaking place in Marrakech. The modern interior and contemporary architecture of the Radisson Blu Hotel amazed you.
Not far away from Medina, it gives you every facility such as air conditioning, high-speed internet, walk-in showers, minibar, quiet room and perfect dining facilities.
Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi:
If you are looking for an economical place without sacrificing luxury, then Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi is the right option for you. Traditional Moroccan-inspired design in the heart of the Hivernage district, near Median and Guilez, surely the best option for those looking for comfort.
In my opinion, it is best for families looking for wide rooms, kingsize bed, comfortable seating areas, amazing gardens, and clean swimming pools. The CCTV and 24-hour security personnel allow you to feel free with your kids.
Palmeraie – Best Luxury Resorts and Retreats
Away from the city’s hustle, you can find some amazing resorts in Palmeraie.
Palais Ronsard Relais & Châteaux:
Located in the Palmeraie district, Palais Ronsard Relais & Châteaux is one of the most exclusive luxury boutique palace hotels in Marrakech. The touch of aristocratic European mansions and Moroccan palace traditions make this top luxury resort breathtaking.
It is one of the most luxurious options to stay in a comfortable and peaceful environment with all modern facilities.
Barceló Palmeraie Oasis Resort:
If you love nature and want to stay at a peaceful place covered with palm trees and landscaped gardens, I recommend the Barceló Palmeraie Oasis Resort. Talking about facilities in this modern resort, you can enjoy full air conditioning, high-speed WiFi, private terrace, rainfall showers, mesmerising gardens, fresh watered wide swimming pools, and 24-hour security services.
The family swimming pool facilities in the pleasant palm garden with Atlas Mountain views make this place an exceptional place to stay.
Fellah Hotel:
It is a completely different experience to stay in the most artistic and unconventional boutique resorts near Marrakesh. Close to nature, this hotel is the best place to stay if you want to relax. Yes, it is away from the old city, Medina, but it has unique architecture, traditional Moroccan design, peaceful retreat-style surroundings, mountain views, and distance from the city’s noise.
The creativity with modern art, handcrafted furniture, Berber textiles, vintage pieces, and contemporary décor makes its interior simply outstanding.
Final Verdict:
Before taking the final decision about the place where to stay in Marrakech for the first time visitor, think about your nature. If you love a vibrant, noisy atmosphere with crowded places, then Medina is the best. But for those who want to stay away from the hustle of the old city, book a place in Guilezor in the Palmeraie. The hotels in Medina are costly, but you can explore multiple historical places on foot. Select any of the above-mentioned places to explore Marrakech.
FAQs:
Which area is best for first-time visitors in Marrakech?
Medina is best for culture and history, while Gueliz and Palmeraie are better for comfort and relaxation.
Is Medina safe for tourists?
Yes, especially if you stay in a riad or hotel with 24-hour security and reception.
What is the difference between a riad and a hotel?
A riad is a traditional Moroccan guesthouse, while a hotel is usually larger and more modern.
Is Palmeraie far from the Marrakech city centre?
Yes, it is around 20–30 minutes from the Medina by car.
Which area is best for families?
Palmeraie and Gueliz are the best because they offer spacious hotels and family-friendly facilities.
