The Most Beautiful Riads in Marrakech Where You Can Book a Stay
“The city taught me color. Before Marrakech everything was black,” Yves Saint Laurent declared about his city of inspiration, where he owned a cobalt blue vacation villa.
It’s a statement that applies to the bustling streets of Marrakech, as well as the city’s ornate riads. Originating from Middle Eastern architecture, Morocco’s riads are typically defined as traditional houses built around an interior garden or courtyard. Over the years, many have been transformed into guest houses and hotels—where you can potentially stay—with private rooms and wonderfully serene shared common areas, often with picture-perfect swimming pools or roof terrace gardens. Some new-wave riads have even begun to combine western boutique hotel trends with whimsical Moroccan architecture and traditions. Riad stays are in such high demand that Airbnb recently added them to their search categories, making it even easier to discover these often hidden gems. Without further delay, these are the most beautiful riads in Marrakech, in top hotels and vacation rentals.