Headed to Morocco for a little culture fix? We've lined up 5 of the most beautiful riads in Marrakech for you. From iconic hotels that have only grown grander with time, to minimalist retreats, the kind you'd just not expect in Morocco, and those that celebrate local craft like never before – these riads are the perfect spot to take a break when you've had a little too much of the city's bustling souks.
The Ultimate Marrakech City Guide for Design Lovers
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In a city like Morocco, where maximalism is the mantra and the senses are constantly bombarded by colours, sounds and smells, the new Maison Brummel Majorelle hotel in Marrakech feels like a serene cocoon. There are no colourful mosaics here, no hand-hammered brass lanterns, no tasselled babouches or pompoms or stained-glass details. Instead, owner Christian Schallert has created a peaceful, minimalist, terracotta-tinted escape in a city that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Find out more about this unique Marrakech hotel.
At the end of the 1980s, Romeo Gigli was one of the biggest and most beloved names in fashion, with extravagant, fantastical flagship stores in Milan, Paris, and New York. The designer, celebrated for a romantic aesthetic that mixed fabrics sourced from trips to Africa, the Middle East and Asia, had originally studied architecture. Four years ago, he moved with his family from Milan to Marrakech and began working on what would become Riad Romeo, which has just opened in an old quarter of the medina. As iconoclastic as Gigli’s old boutiques, it looks unlike anything else in the city. Discover how Gigli married fashion with interiors in Morocco.
Voluptuous brushstrokes, carved details, collage-esque cutouts are key features of Rosemary, a new (and super stylish) riad in Morocco's bustling Marrakech – and its background story is just as charming. It is the brainchild of Laurence Leenaert and Ayoub Boualam – the co-founders of LRNCE, a lifestyle brand whose textural rugs, hand painted ceramics and chromatic artworks have enchanted the design world since the duo began collaborating with Moroccan artisans eight years ago. “It felt like the right time for us to create a new universe – an experience that combines my aesthetic with the know-how of Morocco’s talented artisans,” says Leenaert, the creative force behind LRNCE. “There are so many new projects coming to life in Marrakech at the moment, and it’s nice to be part of that positive momentum.” Step inside Rosemary Riad.
If you think you know hotels in Morocco, this earthy Marrakech retreat will make you think again. On the outskirts of the city and nestled within a sprawling estate that's dotted with olive groves, a working farm and sculptural desert garden, the getaway – called Villa A&N – designed by AD100 practice Studio KO, stands out for its sleek lines, minimal (and modern decor) and ten-bedrooms that spell calm, earthy luxe. Find out what makes Villa A&N so special.
Rounding up our list of the most beautiful riads in Marrakech is the city's most iconic address. It nestles behind ramparts in warm, ochre tones, just like the city itself. A miniature, labyrinthine medina in the heart of city: the Royal Mansour Marrakech has been witness to changing seasons for over a hundred years and its precious, artfully imagined interiors have played host to royalty and celebrities from the world over. This rare resort is a sensorial experience in the truest form, very much like the heady city its located in.
And it all states with a ballet of fragrances that begins as soon as you cross the wall, with the scents of orange trees and jasmine wafting across a six-hectare estate whose 53 beautifully appointed riads are the stars of the show. At the bend of a palm-tree-lined driveway or the corner of an alley punctuated by stone fountains, private residences serve as bedrooms. True homes in their own right, they range in size from 140 to 850 square metres – the largest, the Royal, reaches 1,800 square metres, an architectural extravaganza where arts, crafts and impeccable service converse in perfect harmony. Step inside this regal riad in Marrakech.
