Best hotels in Morocco

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!

Hidden away in Fez's ancient medina, this former pasha's palace has been lovingly transformed by a Provençal antique dealer with an eye for the extraordinary. Michel Biehn didn't just restore this 1906 summer retreat, he also filled every corner with carefully curated antiquities from Central Asia to Africa. From the Royal Suite with its soaring glass dome to rooms inspired by Marco Polo's silk road adventures, each space feels more like a private collection than a hotel suite. The magnificent Andalusian garden – complete with Isfahan roses, jasmine, and a tranquil swimming pool – provides a blissful escape from the medina's bustling souks.

In the running for 'The World's Most Creative Hotel', Salut Maroc is what happens when a passionate British designer falls head over heels for a crumbling 18th-century merchant's house. Helen Howat spent five painstaking years transforming this former Jewish trading post into a kaleidoscopic celebration of Moroccan craftsmanship. Perched directly on Essaouira's UNESCO-listed ramparts with the Atlantic crashing below, the riad's ten rooms each tell the story of a different Moroccan city through explosive zellije tilework, handcrafted copper bathtubs, and vintage finds. Between the rooftop restaurant's sunset dinners and the traditional hammam's restorative rituals, this is Morocco at its most wonderfully, unapologetically vibrant.

Airport hotels rarely inspire much excitement, but ONOMO's outpost near Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport has a charm that's quintessentially African. Part of the continent's largest homegrown hotel group, this 135-room property brings a slice of pan-African style to the functional world of layovers and red-eye departures. The free 24-hour shuttle whisks you between terminal and lobby in minutes, while the Azour restaurant serves up afro-fusion flavours that are several notches above typical airport fare. It's a practical choice for anyone who'd rather wake up refreshed than frazzled before flying home, or ease into Morocco gently after a long-haul arrival. No bells and whistles, just reliable comfort with a warm Moroccan welcome.

Dreamt up by a connoisseur of luxury desert camps, every detail at Inara is immaculately executed, from the desert-chic decor to private, candlelit dining tents, and a fabulous array of adventurous activities. Whether you're trundling along in a dune buggy or swaying camelback across the rocky landscape, starkly beautiful views occupy every direction - and it's more than worth an early wake-up to catch the sunrise, slowly illuminating the distant Atlas Mountains. The camp truly checks every box for an idyllic escape to the Agafay Desert, and our top tip is to simply soak in the atmosphere over a cup of mint tea.

In the heart of Rabat's medina, a former pasha's residence has been transformed into an intimate jewel by renowned architect Chafiq Kabbaj. Euphoriad represents a decades-long friendship between Moroccan, French and American collaborators who spent years meticulously restoring this 19th-century palace. With just eight individually designed rooms and suites, the property seamlessly weaves traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with a modern-day elegance. Expect carved marble hammams, a panoramic rooftop pool overlooking the medina, and cuisine prepared with market-fresh ingredients. Located minutes from the Kasbah of the Oudayas and Atlantic coastline, it's an authentic base for exploring Morocco's rather beguiling capital.

The riads of Marrakesh all have a history behind them, but the Riad Kniza may be the most fascinating. Owned by the same family for nearly 200 years, it has hosted some recognisable names, from past US presidents to Hollywood royalty. Let's just say, the staff are masters in discreet service and making you feel like a celebrity. The owner, Haj Mohamed, is one of the city's most respected antiquarians, the spoils of which you'll enjoy in the lavish suites and alcoved bhous (sitting areas). Mohamed is an expert in the secrets and sights of Marrakesh, and he'll gladly introduce you to it all.

Sitting proudly on a hill above the New Town of Fez, Hotel Sahrai is the picture of Moroccan refinement. Once the summer palace of Marshal Lyautey, it is a minimalist blend of exposed Taza sandstone, floor-to-ceiling windows, and contemporary Italian furniture. After a morning meander through the 12th century labyrinth of the Fes el Bali medina, return for a dip in the infinity pool (the views of Mount Zalagh are scenic to say the least) and afternoon tea under the Fassi arches. Understated, stylish, and designed for the utmost comfort, the rooms are just where you want to be following a day in the souks of Fez.