Marrakech: Where to Stay: Overview

For those who want to be in walking distance of the action, staying in the city is probably your best option. Many riads—town houses turned hotels (they get their name from the interior gardens or courtyards)—in the middle of the hot, dusty, noisy medina have been transformed into stunning 21st-century destinations. Characterized by plain façades, duck-your-head doorways and open-air courtyards, the riads allow you to be close to the sights and shopping yet remain secluded in your own utterly authentic oasis. For those who prefer views of the majestic Atlas Mountains, herb gardens, lawns for the children to run around on, spacious bedrooms and grown-up-size swimming pools, booking a hotel in the Palmeraie is probably the better choice. Or do what many savvy travelers to Marrakech do: stay in the medina for a few nights before heading to the Palmeraie for more of a resort experience. It’s an ideal combination.