Morocco’s architectural heritage — Marinid medersas, Saadian palaces, Berber kasbahs, colonial-era grand hotels — provides the raw material for some of the world’s most extraordinary places to stay. These are the properties where the building itself is as memorable as the experience within it.
Kasbah Tamadot, High Atlas
Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot in the foothills of the High Atlas, 45 minutes from Marrakech, occupies a genuine Berber kasbah with 18 rooms and suites, a pool with Atlas views, hammam and Moroccan-Berber cuisine. The architecture — hand-plastered walls, cedar ceilings, zellige floors — is extraordinary. The mountain views are even better.
Dar Ahlam, Skoura
Dar Ahlam in the Skoura oasis, between Ouarzazate and the Drâa Valley, is one of the most unusual hotels in Morocco. There is no menu, no set schedule, no other guests visible. Meals appear wherever and whenever you request them — in the rose garden, on a dune, by a river. The 19th-century kasbah it occupies has been restored to near-impossible beauty.
Palais Amani, Fès
A 17th-century private palace in the heart of Fès el-Bali, Palais Amani has 14 rooms around three interconnected courtyards, a rooftop pool and what many consider the finest restaurant in Fès. The tilework, painted cedar ceilings and carved plasterwork are museum-quality.
Scarabeo Camp, Agafay Desert
Just 45 minutes from Marrakech, the Scarabeo Camp in the rocky Agafay desert offers a desert experience without the long drive to the Sahara. The stone-and-canvas tents are beautifully designed, sustainably powered and positioned for extraordinary Atlas mountain views at sunrise.
Riad Joya, Marrakech
A contemporary interpretation of the riad typology — Riad Joya was designed by an architect who understood both the tradition and its possibilities. The proportions are perfect, the materials are authentic, and the rooftop pool with medina views is the finest in Marrakech’s mid-range category.
