Marrakech

Since 1923, Morocco's most prestigious hotel has achieved legendary status for its opulence, grandeur, celebrity guest list, and hefty price tag. — Fodor's

With a rich history, a long list of celebrity and noble guests,and over-the-top design and architecture, La Mamounia is Marrakech's grandest andmost famous hotel. — Oyster

Set in palatial grounds, this is Marrakesh’s most famous hotel, and its most expensive, with an emphasis on opulence and exclusivity. — Rough Guide

Closed for three years between 2006 and 2009, the hotel glows again thanks to Jacques Garcia, known for gems like Paris’s Hôtel Costes. — Travel + Leisure

As much a landmark as the Koutoubia Mosque and Jemaa El Fna, the Mamounia has been hosting movie stars, heads of state and royalty since 1923. — DK Eyewitness

Hidden behind an unmarked wood door in Marrakech, Riad Farnatchi hotel is a carved, inlaid, art-decorated take on a traditional Moroccan home designed by Jonathan Wix entirely for his guests' comfort. — Mr & Mrs Smith

On the souk's northern tip in the oldest part of Marrakesh is this stylish and traditional riad. — Fodor's

It is rare, even in this eclectic town, to find a lodging that blends contemporary design, modern facilities, and the hospitable service and decor of a traditional riad. But for many, the... — Star Service

The suites (there are no ordinary rooms) at this efficient and professionally run British-owned riad are spacious, each with either a balcony, a private terrace or its own patio. — Rough Guide

Many medina properties are expanding, including Riad Farnatchi, which was opened in 2004 by British hotelier Jonathan Wix. — Travel + Leisure

There's a certain over-the-top charm to this series of five luxurious riads of palatial proportions. — Fodor's

Design aficionados will appreciate the elegant details at this boutique hotel. — Gayot

Luxury and sophistication collide in this stunning example of a traditional riad built within the past decade. The street in front of the hotel can be busy, leading to occasional noise,... — Star Service

La Sultana, set against the flamingo-dotted Oualidia lagoon, has 11 rooms and suites that showcase Moroccan craftsmanship with marble floors, terra-cotta tile work, and sandstone ceilings. — Afar Magazine

Luxury and a sense of history are the hallmarks of La Sultana. — The Telegraph

Moorish arches frame views of the organic gardens, and shed light on co-owner Meryanne Loum-Martin's extensive contemporary African art collection. — The Telegraph

Visionary Senegalese interior designer Meryanne Loum-Martin introduced the boutique-hotel concept to Marrakesh with a pair of posh villas that put the city on A-list travelers' maps. — Concierge

The word jnane means "garden," and this, the third of Meryanne Loum-Martin's jet-set luxury properties, lives up to its name. — Fodor's

Brad Pitt, Hugh Grant, and David Bowie are among the A-listers fond of this serene Palmeraie retreat. — Frommer's

A luxurious property within a walled garden on a protected palm grove 20 minutes from Marrakech, the 24-room Jnane Tamsna offers a uniquely elegant retreat for couples, families, and celebrities alike. — Oyster

This hotel, on a tiny side street in the center of the busy medina, has roots that go back to the 1940s, when it was a posh restaurant and social center for Marrakech's expatriate... — Star Service

The first boutique hotel in Marrakech still holds its own against all latecomers. It has a genteel air, with a colonial bar and a garden pool. — DK Eyewitness

It’s a renowned foodie destination, with a famous cooking school and three fine-dining restaurants. — Afar Magazine

With ivy-strewn courtyards, antique-slung corridors, and open fires crackling in cedarwood salons, La Maison Arabe is the epitome of Moroccan elegance. — Frommer's

Though not as famous as the Mamounia, this is arguably Marrakesh’s classiest hotel, a gorgeous nineteenth-century mansion that’s been restored with fine traditional workmanship. — Rough Guide

An intimate 27-room luxury boutique hotel with authentic Moroccan style. — Oyster

Officially classified as a hotel, this place is in fact a riad in the true sense of the term: an old house around a patio garden. — Rough Guide

A grand residence that once belonged to a judge, this boutique hotel has 16 rooms ranged around two beautiful courtyards. — DK Eyewitness

Nestled in the labyrinth of the ancient souks where donkey carts carry spices, rugs and brass work, this boutique-hotel is a jewel of architecture and an oasis of calm — Star Service

This property has all the understated glamour and class you'd expect from a Relais & Chateaux hotel. — Fodor's

Serene and seductive Moorish lair made up of three adjacent palaces, with a growing celeb guest-list and a rooftop pool. — Jetsetter

The service is so personal and friendly; the amenities amazing! — Afar Magazine

The 28-room El Fenn is a chic, upscale boutique with plenty of old Morocco charm set in the heart of medina. — Oyster

One of the medina’s flashiest addresses, co-owner Vanessa Branson (sister of Richard) has tripled the size of the place since it opened in 2003. — Travel + Leisure

Offers art-house rooms with wow-factor, an exceptional buffet breakfast and a courtyard pool shaded by palms, five minutes from snake-charmers, acrobats and street-food vendors. — The Telegraph

Each riad has multiple patios, silk-paneled salons and bedrooms, and (for the ultimate in discreet service) a staff that enters and leaves via a network of underground passageways. — Travel + Leisure

The grandiose Royal Mansour Marrakech is in the center of the city, within walking distance of the Koutoubia Mosque and Jamaa-el-Fna Square — Star Service

Built by King Mohammed VI to celebrate the very best in Moroccan design and craftsmanship, this is one of the most spectacular hotels in the world. — Insight Guides

So grand is Le Royal Mansour, tucked in a verdant eight-acre compound in Marrakech’s bustling medina, that it could have only been created by kingly ambitions—which it was. — Condé Nast Traveler

The gold standard of luxury hotels in Marrakech. — The Telegraph

Charles Boccara-designed boutique hotel in Marrakech’s historic medina, with a traditional hammam and an award-winning kitchen. — Jetsetter

In summer, breakfast and dinner are taken on the roof terrace of the building that was once a 17th-century merchant's townhouse. — Time Out

An elegant, 11-room boutique hotel, complete with spa and cookery school. — The Telegraph

This luxury boutique hotel, run by a Swiss–American couple, gets consistently good reports. — Rough Guide

Dar les Cigognes offers a bit of luxury and an exotic ambience without being pretentious. — Frommer's

You'll feel like incognito royalty... you can wander through 12 acres of lush gardens and ponds before ducking into your own palace-style accommodation, many with Atlas mountain views. — Fodor's

This authentic, stunning hotel near Palmeraie is set amid lovely gardens and typical Maghreb architecture — Star Service

A 41-room luxury hotel set on 12 acres of meticulously landscaped property in the upscale La Palmeraie, a quiet enclave tucked between the Atlas Mountains and the Djebilet Hills. — Oyster

Book one of the six Junior Suites: each is like a small lake palace that opens out onto 1,800 square feet of private garden space with shimmering reflecting pools. — Travel + Leisure

A palatial new resort with 41 villas and suites on the edge of the Palmeraie, Marrakech's posh desert suburb. — Condé Nast Traveler

Riad Kniza is a restored 18th-century riad—a traditional Moroccan house built around an open courtyard—in the Marrakesh old medina. — Afar Magazine

The lovingly restored 18th-century Riad Kniza is a luxurious 11-room hideout in the heart of Marrakech's old city. — Oyster

Enjoy Moroccan hospitality at its finest in the lavishly restored suites of this historic 200-year-old mansion, owned by one of Marrakech’s most famous antique dealers. — The Telegraph

Owned by a top antique dealer and tour guide (whose clients have included US presidents and film stars), this is one classy riad. — Rough Guide

Dating from the 18th century, this is an almost unique example of a Marrakech riad, in that it is owned and run by Moroccans and not foreigners. — DK Eyewitness

Cavernous rooms eschew full-on casbah style for subtle hints of colour, Zellige tiles and Mousharabi panels. Spoil yourself in the Henri Chenot spa, dip into the 80sq m swimming pool. — Mr & Mrs Smith

A decadent destination hotel combining the va-va-voom French styling of famed architect Jacques Garcia with a Henri Chenot spa. — The Telegraph

On the outskirts of Marrakech sits the palace-like, five-pearl Selman Marrakech — Oyster

A 61-room resort, 10 minutes by car from the center of Marrakech, where even the owners' Arabian stallions live in manicured splendor. — Condé Nast Traveler

Each of the hotel’s five guest riads (typical Moroccan houses) comes with a private garden and heated pool. — Afar Magazine

The facilities are second to none, with contemporary Moroccan decor throughout and impeccable service. — Fodor's

Not all hotels take walk-in clients, but the swanky Four Seasons does. Not only can you burn off your calories in the club, but you can also enjoy a sauna and then treat yourself to a... — Travel + Leisure

Probably the most exclusive family resort in Marrakech, the Four Seasons offers luxury amid 40 acres of landscaped Moorish gardens. — The Telegraph

The Four Seasons name alone certainly lures well-heeled travelers who trust the luxury and service its name represents. But, competition in Marrakech has never been stronger with the... — Star Service

A sprawling 141-room luxury resort with two pools, a modern spa, and quick taxi access to the Medina and Souks. — Oyster

The unpretentious charms of this country villa will ease your guilt about staying in the Palmery and possibly seeing less of Marrakesh. — Fodor's

This British-owned luxury villa, stylishly embellished with a mix of traditional and modern features, has a pleasant garden with a pool, a masseur on call and a view of the Atlas mountains. — Rough Guide

Cosy up to your private stone fireplace flanked by richly hued rugs and clean-lined leather armchairs at Marrakech boutique hotel Dar Zemora. High ceilings, metal sconces and gauzy drapes... — Mr & Mrs Smith

A small, luxurious guesthouse set in a private villa with just four rooms in the main house, and an independent two-bedroom pavilion in the gorgeous three-acre garden. — The Telegraph

Paul and Lindsay Kentish's discreet boutique villa is a perfect retreat from the dust and hustle. — Frommer's

This spectacular oasis, created by a worldly Franco-English couple, is set off on a narrow lane off a teeming street leading into the medina from the Bab Doukkala. — Condé Nast Traveler

The co-owner of Riad Noir d'Ivoire is a designer and her hotel is the height of elegant, understated luxury. — Insight Guides

Gobsmacking, over-the-top opulence, from its 4.5m foyer chandelier to the grand piano in the courtyard cocktail bar. — Lonely Planet

An opulent, nine-room riad wrapped around two courtyard gardens with water-conserving, filtered plunge pools, a private spa stocked with organic products, a tiny gym and a leather-clad cocktail bar. — The Telegraph

This striking property is done with wit and style by British co-owner and decorator Jill Fechtmann. — Concierge

Intimate and exclusive with just three rooms and one suite, this slinky Italian-run riad is a temple to minimalist chic. — Frommer's

Riad 72 is laid out in traditional riad style, with a big rectangular central courtyard (complete with banana trees), flanked by rooms on each side. — Afar Magazine

Like a kaftan-clad supermodel on a Vespa, the 72 defines jet-set chic. — Lonely Planet

This Italian-owned riad is sleek and stylish, with sparse but very tasteful modern decor, palms and banana trees in the courtyard and its own hammam. — Rough Guide

This stylish Italianowned riad is very Milan-meets-Marrakech. The house is traditional but the black-and-white colour scheme and sleek furniture all imported. — DK Eyewitness

A rambling Arabo-Andalucian village with suites set in three hectares of perfumed gardens amid lily ponds, a heated pool and a garden potager. — The Telegraph

The Two Towers has the advantages of a luxurious garden setting and classic Charles Boccara architecture. — Fodor's

The 36-room, luxurious Deux Tours is a great place to indulge in poolside lounging and traditional hammam treatments outside the often chaotic bustle of the Medina. — Oyster

Serene 37-room retreat surrounded by Andalusian-style gardens with a French-Moroccan restaurant and a traditional hammam. — Jetsetter

Few of its cookie-cutter neighbours can match its amenities, distinctive modern style, and attentive new management. — Lonely Planet

Designer Jacques Garcia made a splash with this chic, hip offering in the heart of town, which is something the city had nothing of at the time — Star Service

The Pearl Marrakech is a large, contemporary boutique hotel with 71 rooms, a fabulous subterranean spa and enviable views of the Koutoubia from its rooftop terrace. — The Telegraph

In the 71 rooms, a rich purple and maroon colour scheme creates a lavish feel, but the edge is modern, with contributions from contemporary Moroccan artists. — Wallpaper

A contemporary spin on Moroccan style with a DJ-helmed lobby bar, acclaimed restaurant and circular rooftop pool. — Jetsetter

This 71-room luxury hotel is situated in the posh Hivernage area of the city, just a five-minute drive from Jemaa el-Fna and the Medina's souks. — Oyster

A medina within the medina, this labyrinth of five riads offers unexpected delights at every turn. — Lonely Planet

A rambling maze of a riad, it is made up of eight connected houses. It’s a beautiful place to lose yourself – admiring the collected Islamic art along the way. — DK Eyewitness

This former ambassador's retreat offers peace and seclusion around the corner from the brouhaha of Djemaa el-Fna. — The Telegraph

At Riad El Cadi on the outskirts of old town Marrakech, five of us spent the afternoon touring the spice markets, learning about traditional foods, and cooking a huge feast. Here's the... — Afar Magazine

The former home of a German diplomat who was ambassador to several Arab countries, the El Cadi is embellished with his wonderful collection of rugs and antiques. — Rough Guide

Includes a giddy array of facilities alongside the original 1960s hotel. — The Telegraph

This family-run hotel with every amenity... now houses the casino as well as two hotel properties—the original Es Saadi Hotel and the luxury Es Saadi Palace. — Fodor's

Set in tropical gardens, the resort is every bit as photogenic today, with its palm-fringed pool, Atlas Mountain views, spa, and casino. — Frommer's

With attention still paid to every visual and sensory detail, it mixes modern amenities with exquisite traditional decor... the spa is a high-end destination. — Oyster