Today I am revisiting my trip to Marrakech, after a first article that provided you with a selection of things to see/do there, this second post will give you my perspective on the different types of accommodation available. If you are heading to the Red City, there are two choices available to you (roughly speaking):
- Either you opt for a riad in the heart of the medina, with the bustle and commotion of this part of Marrakech (and often the requirement to walk to your hotel, though luggage porters are everywhere to help you for a small tip, obviously) to experience the incomparable atmosphere of this district.
- Or you prefer to only walk through the medina and stay in one of the hotels in the new city or the palm grove, a little further away from the city center.
If, however, you cannot decide, you can do as we did and test both types of accommodation to change the atmosphere during your trip.
I went back to Marrakech at the end of November 2018, without my favorite photographer this time, to stay at the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort, in the Hivernage district. I am adding it to this selection, which now has three tested addresses in three different districts.
Plan your stay
Hotels we tried
Palais Riad Lamrani
For art lovers: an intimate Marrakech palace in the heart of the medina, with a pool
Tigmiza Marrakech
Luxury boutique hotel in the palm grove: two pools, a spa and a private cinema
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Table of Contents
Which area of Marrakech should you stay in?
The three addresses in this selection are in three very different areas of Marrakech and its surroundings, and the distance from Jemaa el-Fna square makes quite a difference to how you plan your days. Here is where each one is, with distances measured on a map.
The medina (Mouassine)
The Palais Riad Lamrani is on Rue Sidi el Yamani, in the Mouassine district, in the heart of the medina, about a 7-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna square and 8 minutes from the Ben Youssef Madrasa. This is the district of bustle and commotion I told you about above. In 2016, no street had a clearly visible name and several names were used for the same one, so GPS and internet access were very useful to us, and it is better not to explore the medina at night. And as soon as we went through the riad’s door, it was calm.
The Palmeraie
The Tigmiza is in the Palmeraie, on the Bab Atlas road, outside Marrakech, about ten kilometers from Jemaa el-Fna square, so you get there by car or taxi. In 2016, the hotel offered free shuttles to the city center twice a day, and a private shuttle for 150 dh. We had the Roses suite there, in a pavilion in the Bambouseraie, right next to the pool.
Hivernage
The Es Saadi is in the Hivernage district, which is part of the new town, about 2 km from Jemaa el-Fna square, or about a 25-minute walk or a few minutes by taxi. At the resort, everything is on site (in 2018, five restaurants, a spa, shops and a casino), which can be very practical.
Guéliz: we did not stay in this district of the new town. This is where the Majorelle Garden is, which I tell you about in my Marrakech guide, about a 30-minute walk from the Palais Riad Lamrani.
For the airport: when leaving Marrakech in 2016, security checks, bag searches and customs took us quite a lot of time (and the lines were separate for men and women), so allow 2 hours in advance. The Palais Riad Lamrani is 7.5 km from Marrakech-Menara airport and the Es Saadi about 6 km. In 2018, the round-trip airport transfer was included for the Palace, the Villas and the Ksars of the Es Saadi.
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Le Palais Riad Lamrani
The riad Lamrani is a true jewel in the heart of the Red City. This authentic Marrakech palace from the 19th century, spanning over 1500 m2, is located in the historic Mouassine district, at the heart of the Marrakech medina. It has been completely renovated in the purest Moroccan tradition by Hervé de la Vauvre, a Frenchman in love with Morocco, his wife Isabelle, and their daughter and son-in-law Noémie and Eric. This riad is, therefore, the result of a true family story!
Art lovers like me will be conquered, as the palace is filled with the family’s collection, assembled over many travels. Inside the riad is a magnificent patio lined with columns covered in ancient zellige tiles, and at its center sits a marble fountain surrounded by lush vegetation with the scents of orange and orchid. A true paradise that does not forget to offer its guests a magnificent swimming pool to lounge in the sun during the beautiful season. Of course, the problem is that you would want to stay there forever…
In this oasis of greenery, there are only 3 suites and 3 bedrooms, straight out of the One Thousand and One Nights tales. This deliberate choice of a very small number of rooms gives a very confidential and intimate tone to the place.
Our room, the Pacha:
I will not soon forget the wonderful freshly squeezed orange juices served at breakfast in the Moroccan room and the fresh fruit salads. A real delight!
At noon, the address offers a very beautiful table d’hôte, the Table du Palais, with cuisine made by a Moroccan chef. I will talk to you more about this in my Marrakech Food Tour.
The little extra: getting a massage with argan oil in the riad, by expert hands.
Tested in 2016
Palais Riad Lamrani
63 rue Sidi el Yamani, Mouassine district in the Medina, Marrakech
On foot: 7 min from Jemaa el-Fna square, 8 min from the Ben Youssef Madrasa
For whom: those who want to stay in an intimate riad with six rooms and suites, in the heart of the medina
Prices in October 2026: from €265 per night for two on 18 November (Ryad room), €311 for the Pacha room (hotel website)
Affiliate transparencyFor a more transparent world…If you book by clicking on this link, we receive a small commission from the site. This does not affect the price you pay, but it helps support the blog. It's up to you 🙂
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Le Tigmiza Marrakech, suites & pavilions
This luxurious boutique-hotel nestled in the palm grove outside Marrakech and member of the TemptingPlaces label, is a haven of peace far from the city’s hustle. Tigmiza, which literally means “Izza’s house” in Berber, is a place that represents a beautiful family synergy, as each member of the family contributed to this construction (building, artwork in the hotel, interior design, hotel management, etc.) which lasted 5 years.
Like any hotel of this standard, it has every conceivable amenity:
- 2 magnificent outdoor swimming pools, with areas for sun loungers to soak up the sun.
- A private cinema room in the basement that can be booked for free to watch a movie in complete privacy.
- A spa with hammam and sauna.
- An event space of 6,500 m2 called Le Colisée.
- A Moroccan lounge where you are welcomed upon arrival with a little mint tea accompanied by some Moroccan pastries.
- An English bar for match nights.
- An Indonesian terrace to relax up high.
- Le Masaï, a night bar and club to have a drink and dance.
- And obviously, a luxury concierge service to grant your every wish… Very practical when you have to catch an early flight, leave the hotel around 5:30 AM, and they still manage to serve you a little something to eat before you go. It’s the kind of detail that makes the difference.
The breakfast is very pleasant and appreciable. Served on a small interior terrace during fine weather, you can choose between a continental buffet or let yourself be tempted by an Arabic breakfast Moroccan-style. Obviously, you know my preference… One of the sure values of the destination remains, of course, the delicious freshly squeezed fruit juices, especially the oranges, bursting with sunshine and sugar.
Our suite, the Roses:
We were staying in one of the 3 pavilions of the Bambouseraie, the Roses suite, right next to the pool. I loved our little private terrace.
There are also 10 suites in the Kasbah and a village with 14 villas for those who want more privacy. We also had the chance to take a quick tour of the double Royal Suite, an incredible place reserved for distinguished guests (yes, so no, we were not guests of that caliber). So, just to dream a little, I am putting up some photos of the place, just to take you on a little guided tour, like an enchanted interlude.
The good deals:
- A snack with mint tea and Moroccan pastries is served for free every day from 5 PM to 6 PM.
- You have the possibility to benefit from free shuttles to the city center twice a day (ask for the schedule at the reception). And for 150 dh, you can also book a private shuttle whenever you wish.
Tested in 2016
Tigmiza Marrakech
Route de Bab Atlas, Palmeraie, 40 000 Marrakech
By car: about ten kilometers from Jemaa el-Fna square
For whom: those looking for a quiet hotel in the Palmeraie, with pools and a hammam
Affiliate transparencyFor a more transparent world…If you book by clicking on this link, we receive a small commission from the site. This does not affect the price you pay, but it helps support the blog. It's up to you 🙂
The Es Saadi Marrakech Resort
I stayed at the Palace, built shortly before my stay, in Executive Suite no. 2208, an 80 m² suite whose small terrace overlooked the pool and the city, and on Sunday morning I was able to enjoy the view of the Atlas Mountains. I also tried the “Total Relaxation” massage at the Palace spa, and I ate at La Cour des Lions, the restaurant I would recommend if you could only try one in the resort, for its traditional Moroccan dishes, starting with the pigeon pastilla.
This three-day stay was very short, and I only cover the essentials here: the details of the Palace, the spa and the restaurants are in my article about my stay at the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort.
Tested in 2018 - Invitation
Es Saadi Marrakech Resort
Rue Ibrahim El Mazini, Hivernage district, Marrakech
On foot: about 2 km from Jemaa el-Fna square, about 25 min (a few minutes by taxi)
For whom: those who want a resort with restaurants, a spa and shops on site
Prices in October 2026: Palace Junior Suite for two at 5,092 dirhams on the night of Sunday 15 November and 4,982 dirhams on Wednesday 18 November (non-refundable rate, hotel website)
Book your stay → For greater transparency…If you book through this link, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. A way to support our work and our future reports.
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And you, what are your good accommodation addresses in Marrakech or your accommodation tips?
Find below all my articles on my trips to Morocco (2015, 2016, and 2018):
⇒ All my articles on Morocco
⇒ All my articles on Marrakech
MY ARTICLES ON MOROCCO
⇒ Stay at Es Saadi Marrakech Resort (2018)
⇒ Food Tour in Marrakech (2016)
⇒ Selection of accommodation in Marrakech (2016)
⇒ Stay at the Mazagan Beach Resort south of Casablanca (2015)
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Melle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
