Best hotels in Morocco

An intriguing history? Check. Criminally opulent design? Check. And those one-of-a-kind details that really make a hotel sing? Check! Known as the most storied hotel in Marrakesh, the gardens at La Mamounia began as a royal wedding gift in the 18th century and during the 'Roaring 20s', the palace was turned into a hotel that sets the standard. Its backstory is told throughout the salons with tubular glass chandeliers and ornate hammams, and a decor that blends Berber tapestries and Moroccan accoutrement with an Art Deco style. It's rather easy to see why La Mamounia inspired some of the greatest musicians of the 70s!

After sitting dormant for over a quarter of a century, this splendid 17th-century palace has opened its doors to share its story with the world. Restored to former glory, the interiors tell quite the history, not unlike the lineage of Fez itself. From the Iraqi stained-glass windows to the delicate Moroccan tiling, from the Fassi cuisine served under citrus trees in the courtyard to the storytelling evenings, the whimsical mystery and charm of Fez is ever-present. Then, one step outside the grand, cedar doors will have you in the middle of soaring minarets, tanneries and all the street food you could ask for.

There's something alluring about the Sahara Desert that has attracted visitors for centuries, with an aura that is both timeless and fleeting. If you're on your way to Merzouga, you'll travel across the sand sea of Erg Chebbi to the fluttering, white camp, surrounded by pure silence and packed with whimsical charm. Wake at sunrise for a lilting wander amongst the dunes on camelback, take your lunch in a lush oasis, and, as night falls, lie back on a plump cushion to gaze at the stars - the in-house astronomer will give you plenty of interesting tidbits.

Veiled from the world by swathes of palms and miles of dunes, Dar Ahlam is a 200-year-old kasbah, which was brought back to life in order for the owner to live his dream of sharing the 'old' Morocco with guests. A well-hidden getaway between the Sahara and snowy mountain peaks, the hotel centres every day around you. Meals take place wherever you'd like: breakfast in the Berber ruins, lunch beside tranquil Ouarzazate Lake, or dinner in the candlelit gardens. With its high turrets of champagne-coloured earth, dreamy suites and views of the far-away Atlas Mountains, it's easy to see why Dar Ahlam means 'House of Dreams'...

After a meandering drive down Morocco's west coast, La Sultana stands like a sand castle on the edge of a private slice of Oualidia's golden shoreline. Surrounded by a garden of olive, jacaranda, orange and palm trees, the hotel is the perfect antidote to fast-paced life, whether you find your peace in the sunlit spa or dining on ocean-fresh oysters at the jetty restaurant. Embrace the serenity of Oualidia on scenic bicycle rides, wanders down the beach and dips in the blissfully calm lagoon - and your personal host is always on hand to make sure every detail is taken care of.

Down a snaking lane in the Medina, not far from the steaming food stalls of Djeema El Fna and the Bahia Palace, Riad Farnatchi has all the makings of a home-away-from-home. One of the first riads to be turned into a hotel, you'll find all the staples of a Moroccan home. The dining room is elegant with a smattering of black and white photos on the wall, there are cushioned bhous (lounges) to recline in, and the rooftop terrace is just the place for relaxed drinks. And when we say the staff are impeccable, we mean it - Riad Farnatchi is a finalist for hotels that go above and beyond.

Down a winding, narrow lane (there are 9000 or so) in the Fes el Bali medina, Riad Fes was once the home of a Fassi aristocrat. With a splash of Art Deco style here and a few modern comforts there, the riad was restored to its original splendour to do what it does best - entertain guests. Inside, every space has been designed to show off the best of Fez's bygone allure, which shines in the bubbling Carrara marble fountains, the grand archways, and the stunning views of the 1000-year-old medina and far-off peaks from the terrace, the scent of Jasmine gently wafting on the breeze...

Sitting on the scalloped, red ridges of the Ourika Valley, the Kasbah Bab Ourika is blessed from breathtaking views everywhere you turn - the everchanging hues of the Salt Natural Park to the east, the lush terraces of olives and citrus trees to the west, and the snowy Atlas Mountains before you. Tres magnifique, no? In the blissful silence, you'll feel transported to somewhere quite magical, where the Morocco heat softens, the sunsets are exquisite and every room reflects the timeless Berber traditions. The sienna walls are made with rammed earth, the ceilings from palm trunks and the traditional meurtriere-style windows let in the view at every chance.

Established by Moorish and Jewish communities in the 15th century, Chefchaouen is a once-sleepy town that has grown into the maze of blue streets and souks that it is today. Nestled into a fold in the foothills of the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen has all the allure of a Moroccan Medina - did someone say Berber textiles and spiced street food? Set above the cascading alleyways, Lina Ryad has fantastic views of the medina and its mountain backdrop, with pristine, stylish decors. Mint tea and home-baked biscuits are constantly on-hand, best enjoyed after a dip in the Grecian, indoor pool or on the rooftop terrace.

An Arabian mansion in the middle of buzzing Marrakesh, Les Jardins is a haven of leafy palms and orange trees and lazy moments by the pool. And nnowing that the bedlam of the city is just outside makes the hotel's breezy terraces, quiet lunches in the garden, and polished interiors all the more enjoyable! At the hotel, you'll be pampered in the stone hammam and sip cocktails on the rooftop terrace with its views over the Medina. Then, when you're ready, the city awaits, from the stunning gardens of the French quarter to the lantern-lit souk selling, perfume, silks and delicacies.

Sitting at a heady 1820 metres, Conde Nast Traveller reckons the Kasbah du Toubkal has the best rooftop views in north Africa - and we wouldn't argue with that! Nestled at the base of Mount Toubkal, entering the Kasbah feels like taking a step back in time; a plate of dates dipped in milk to welcome you and open-air lounges in rich colours to rest your babouches. Then, over a cup of mint tea and freshly-picked almonds, you'll gaze over verdant, green valleys, charming Berber villages and the sky-brushing peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. Tibet, eat your heart out.

If you were to dream up the perfect desert camp, it might look something a little like The White Camel. A string of tented suites, perched along an apricot ridge in the Agafay Desert, the snow-capped Atlas Mountains are behind you and the rolling hills of the desert laid out before you. Whether you'd prefer to recline beside the pool all day or ride camel-back across the lunar-scape, you'll have more than a few 'pinch me' moments. Then, after a day with as much or as little activity as you choose, sip cocktails as the sun dips below the horizon and fall asleep in your cloud-like bed to the sound of sweet, sweet silence.

Take a journey into the wilds of Morocco, passing ancient kasbahs, olive groves and tiny Berber villages, until you reach Les Jardins De Skoura. Nestled in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, the hotel is surrounded by sprawling gardens of sunflowers and bright and beautiful apricot and pomegranate trees. Time is at its leisure here, with slow mornings spent dining on fluffy Moroccan pancakes topped with jam from the orchard, and dozing in a shaded hammock. Your afternoons might feature wandering walks through the palmeraie, horseriding across the epic landscape, or simply doing as little as possible beside the pool...

As Morocco's cultural hub, Marrakesh is a terracotta-hued city of dynasty relics, souks that fill your head with legends, and gorgeous riads - grand homes-turned-hotels. One of the most luxurious is La Sultana, which actually happens to be a complex of five riads, each designed to represent a different period in the city's thousand-year-old history. From its wonderful location in the royal Kasbah district, La Sultana is close to just about everything; from the gold-gilded Saadian Tombs to the iconic Djemaa El Fna square - a whirlwind of tantalising food stalls, snake charmers and storytellers. We'd happily raise a 'Midnight in Marrakesh' to that!