Where to Stay in Morocco

A riad is a traditional house organized around an inner courtyard or garden, typically with only a few rooms, a roof terrace and personal service. Most are inside medinas, where the architecture turns inward from quiet lanes.

Riads are at their best in Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira. The trade-offs are practical: cars often cannot reach the door, rooms may face the courtyard rather than the street, and heating or soundproofing varies.

• Ask how many minutes' walk it is from the nearest taxi drop-off and whether staff can meet you.
• In winter, check for heating; in summer, air conditioning or a plunge pool.
• Read recent reviews for noise from neighboring terraces or mosques.
• Confirm whether breakfast is included and whether dinner can be served in-house.

Morocco's hotels range from international chains and beach resorts to palace hotels on the edge of medinas. They usually offer easier vehicle access, pools, larger rooms and more consistent facilities.

Hotels are the default in Casablanca, Rabat and Agadir, and a comfortable alternative in Marrakech's Hivernage and Gueliz districts.

• Check the exact location on a map: 'medina view' and 'in the medina' are not the same.
• For beach resorts, check whether the beach access is direct and whether it is a public or private section.
• Look at the cancellation policy, especially for peak dates.

Private villas offer space, privacy and pools. They are concentrated around Marrakech, particularly in the Palmeraie and on the roads leading out of the city, and along the coast near Agadir, Taghazout and Essaouira.

Villas suit families, groups and longer stays, but they often require a car or a driver to reach restaurants and sights.

• Confirm what staff are included: housekeeping, cook, security.
• Ask whether the pool is heated in cooler months.
• Calculate transfer times to the places you want to visit.

Apartments are practical for longer stays, remote work and self-catering. They are widely available in Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Agadir and Marrakech's newer districts.

Short-term rental rules and building policies vary, so book through established platforms and read the listing's house rules carefully.

• Check internet speed if you plan to work remotely.
• Confirm check-in arrangements and building access, especially for late arrivals.

In the Sahara around Merzouga and in the Agafay desert near Marrakech, camps range from simple tents to luxury setups with private bathrooms. Nights in the desert can be very cold outside summer, so ask about bedding and heating.