Marrakesh suggestions.

[YorkNew]

I’m looking for recommendations for a hotel in Marrakesh for four night for my DH and I, has anyone stayed anywhere nice?
I think I’d like a fair size hotel rather than a stay in a Riad, however I would like to hear from people who have enjoyed Riads and if so why?
My budget is £1000 and I’ve already booked flights.
Thanks.

The hotels around the Palmeraie area might be what you are looking for - just outside the city so more space like a traditional resort hotel. Most have free transport into the town.

I've stayed at the Melia, good value mid range sort of place. You sound like you want something a bit swanky though on your budget and there's definitely options for that

We stayed at El Fenn. Very quirky and slightly pricy but we loved it. A few minutes walk from Djema el Fna.

https://el-fenn.com/

I know you said not a Riad, but we stayed at this Riad and it was absolutely amazing! https://www.google.com/search?q=riad+kheirredine&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari

Riad Meriem

Honestly why stay at a hotel which could be anywhere when you can stay in a traditional building with personal touches.

https://www.riadmeriem.com/

I would recommend a riad because it’s something you don’t find in the same way anywhere else.

Some recommendations:

Riad Kniza
Riad Joya
Riad Kheirredine
Riad de Tarabel
Riad 72

Oh and I second El Fenn, but might be out of budget

Stay in a Riad. I can't remember the name but the one we stayed in in the centre of Marrakesh was fantastic.

We had a wonderful four nights at Riad Kniza, nothing was too much trouble , the room was gorgeous and we had dinner one night there in a beautiful private dining room and breakfast on the roof . The desk made reservations for us elsewhere on request , we ate at Maison Arabe one night and a fabulous restaurant in the modern city another . The Riad was a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city . Everywhere was walking distance .

Outside the city, I would recommend Le Deux Tours. It is another world, but service can be a bit slower than you might like and private pools are not heated, but the main pool and large surrounding grounds are fabulous.

Within the city, Villa Makassar is lovely with excellent service and a peaceful interior. A massive bonus is they had no cut off point for their lazy breakfasts so you can leisurely have them for brunch.

I stayed in these places prior to the earthquake, so I am not sure if they have changed since then, but I hope not as they are both gems run by caring people.

Thank you for all the suggestions, I will check them all out. To those who stayed in riads were you out and about most of the day and evening and did you chill in your accommodation and have enough to do? Could you talk me through a typical day as I can’t quite imagine what it’s like to stay in one.
Normally my DH and I either choose city breaks where we’re out and about and then use the hotel spa from around 4 to 5.30 ish and then go out again for dinner/show/concert etc. Or we stay in a large resort type of hotel and have one day in the hotel doing activities and the next day an excursion/sightseeing/boat trip etc.

We've stayed at the be live collection adults only n the outskirts of marrakech 3 times so far and just booked to go back again. It's perfect for us for a quick break, we usually stay 4 or 5 nights.

There are 2 pools, one with activities around all day and one that's much quieter with a swim up bar.

We love it there and keep going back as we know what to expect and it's just so relaxing. Evening entertainment can be lacking but we are usually happy playing cards etc, we go there to relax mainly.

I just can't see the point in going to a western style hotel that could be anywhere in the world when you could stay in something more Moroccan.

Somewhere like Riad Kniza would suit you well - there is an outdoor pool, sauna and steam room, plus spa with massages, hammam etc. Amazing service, gorgeous food. It’s absolutely stunning inside and out, truly Moroccan with luxury hotel touches. Well located, walking distance to most of the sights in the city.

Typical day - we’d wake up and have the most amazing breakfast on the roof terrace, go back to the room and get ready for the day, head out either to do a tour (the riad can organise these for you) or to wander around the old city, or go to one of the sights, then back to the riad for some relaxation, maybe a swim in the pool or a massage, then get changed for dinner - either eat in at the riad with pre-dinner drinks in the bar or they’d make us a reservation and we’d either walk or they’d order us a taxi.

This would be pretty much our day too , our room was gorgeous so it was lovely to relax in and I had a massage in the hamman one afternoon. One tip is that no cars are allowed in the medina so the staff from the hotel will meet your taxi at the gate and guide you to the Riad and take your luggage.

We stayed in Iberostar La Palmerie. We’ve been twice and loved it. Free shuttle into the city centre, so spent a couple of days exploring, but other times we swam in the adults only pool, had a hammam treatment, took a golf lesson (free), did yoga (free) or learned about Moroccan cookery.

The Maison D’Arabe is a wonderful compromise between riad and hotel. Beautiful buildings and the service was impeccable.

We stayed at La Maison des Oliviers, which is about five minutes drive from the centre. It was one of the loveliest hotels I've ever stayed in. It had the charm of a road but was a bit bigger and had excellent facilities. The rooms were set in small blocks of about 8, and were all mini suites with enormous bathrooms. This was one of the only times we have ever eaten in a hotel in the evenings, because the food was so wonderful.

Thank you all so much, you have been very helpful.

2ciels is perfect for what you are looking for.

It’s a small boutique hotel with a very Morrocan feel. It has a roof top pool and bar area, lovely tradition restaurant, spa and lounge area. It’s about 20 mins walk to the medina.

we’ve stayed twice now and think it gives the perfect mix, esp when you want an afternoon of relaxing after being in the medina for a busy hot morning: