9 Beautiful Marrakech Riads With a Pool

Searching for the best Marrakech Riads with a pool? I’ve put together a list of 9 of the most beautiful places to stay in the city

If you’re heading to Marrakech, my biggest piece of advice is to skip the big hotels and book a Riad– a traditional Moroccan house with a garden in the centre.

They’re absolutely beautiful and bound to make your stay even more special. During our trip to Marrakech, we split our time between two Riads, both of which had stunning interiors and incredible service.

There was only one difference between the two and that was that one of them had a swimming pool in the middle of the courtyard.

This small (but very important) detail made a huge difference to our stay – it was perfect for escaping the heat of the Moroccan sun.

If you’re looking for the very best Marrakech riads with a pool, read on for my recommendations.

What to expect from this guide:

• Every Riad on this list includes breakfast in the room rate
• All of the Riads have air-conditioning
• All the Riads have a star rating I’d be happy with (and I’m fussy)

My top 3 picks: Marrakech Riads with a pool

Best Marrakech Riads with a pool

1. Riad Sakkan

If you’re looking for the perfect Marrakech Riad with a pool, you can’t get much better than Riad Sakkan.

It’s located in the popular Mouassine district of the Medina, within walking distance of the Koutoubia Mosque and Jemaa El Fna sqaure.

The Riad has an impressive heated swimming pool at the heart, which is a rarity for Marrakech. Usually, you’ll find the swimming pools in Riads aren’t heated, and due to their location under the trees at the bottom of the building, they don’t get much sunlight, and the water can be very cold.

As well as the heated pool, Riad Sakkan has a rooftop bar and restaurant with space to relax, and a private seating area in every room.

Breakfast is included in the room rate, and all of the bedrooms have air conditioning.

2. Riad NayaNour

Another one of the best Marrakech riads with a pool is Riad NayaNour, just a 10-minute walk from the Jemaa el-Fna Square.

There’s 7 bedrooms, including 2 suites, as well as a stunning patio with a heated swimming pool.

There’s a beautiful rooftop, a bar and a restaurant serving traditional cuisine.

Breakfast is included in the room rate and all of the bedrooms have air conditioning.

To make your stay even more comfortable, the bedrooms here are soundproofed, so you can sleep soundly without hearing a thing. Some rooms even have a balcony overlooking the courtyard of Riad NayaNour.

3. Riad Botanica

Riad Botanica is one of the most beautiful Marrakech Riads with a pool. There’s six beautifully designed bedrooms, combining bold colours, with printed tiles and colourful wallpaper.

Some of the bedrooms have a private outdoor seating area, and they all have air conditioning.

There’s a stunning sun terrace with a bar, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and high tea.

The swimming pool is at the heart of the Riad, with an orange tree hanging overhead. There’s beds around the pool, perfect for relaxing or reading.

4. Riad Numa

Found in the heart of the ancient Medina, Riad Numa is one of the most stunning Marrakech riads with a pool.

There’s 6 beautifully-designed bedrooms, a Hammam, spa and a rooftop overlooking the Koutoubia minaret.

My favourite room has to be the Suite, it’s split-level so offers plenty of space. The design is simple but there are stunning details like the green tiles in the shower that pay homage to Marrakech.

In most Riads, you’ll find the swimming pool in the central courtyard on the ground floor, but at Riad Numa, it’s at the top of the building, much closer to the rooftop.

I personally think this is a much more practical place for the pool, as there’s not as far to go if you’re sunbathing on the roof and need to cool down.

5. Riad Dar-K

Riad Dar-K is a 5-bedroom Riad located in one of the oldest neighbourhoods Medina.

There’s 2 bedrooms and 3 large suites that bring together traditional and minimal design, as well as a large plunge pool and rooftop terrace with a Berber tent to shelter you from the sun.

The menu comprises Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner every day, using fresh ingredients from the local markets.

6. Riad Be Marrakech

Riad Be is another of the best Marrakech riads with a pool.

Perfectly located 10 minutes from Jemaa el Fna Square, it’s made up of two smaller Riads – The Oasis and The Essence.

The Oasis is colourful – think ornate furnishings, brightly coloured walls and patterned furnishings, and its 5 bedrooms reflect the vibrant design.

Meanwhile, the Essence Riad has a more neutral palette, and the rooms are larger and more private.

There’s a roof terrace, plunge pool and fresh food served throughout the day.

This Riad’s a great choice if you’re looking for things to do during your stay – there’s an on-site hammam, cookery courses and even an on-site yoga studio.

7. Riad Palais -Calipau

Riad Palais-Calipau is another of the best Marrakech Riads with a pool. There’s 2 restaurants, a rooftop, massage room and Hammam.

The interiors are stunning, with a luscious courtyard space full of plenty of trees and plants that bring the outside in.

This is the most affordable Riad on the list, with rooms starting from £55 a night, including breakfast.

8. Riad Trésor

Riad Trésor Marrakech is just a 5-minute walk from the famous Jemaa-el-Fna Square.

It has a large pool, which is a really benefit when lots of Riads only have small plunge pools that are difficult to actually swim in.

Each room is beautifully finished and comes with a private terrace, and there’s a large rooftop as well as a restaurant serving traditional Moroccan cuisine.

9. Riad Al Rimal

Riad Al Rimal is a beautiful Riad just a 2 minute walk from Jemaa El Fna Square.

The heated pool is one of the largest on this list, with plenty of room to swim in, and lots of surrounding space to relax in.

There’s a beautiful rooftop terrace with a hot tub, and even a hammam on site if you fancy a massage.

All of the bedrooms are air conditioned and have views over the central courtyard, and breakfast is included in your room rate.

Marrakech riads with a pool: FAQ

What are Riads in Marrakech?

The word Riad literally means “enclosed garden” and they’re typically houses spanning several floors, with a courtyard in the middle.

The most magical thing about Riads is that despite being in the heart of the busy Medina, once you shut the doors behind you, it feels like a sanctuary.

Is it better to stay in a riad in Marrakech?

If you want an authentic experience during your trip to Marrakech, then I’d strongly recommend ditching the big hotels and staying in a Riad. Not only will you receive the best of Moroccan hospitality, Riads are normally found in the the Medina, where you can hear the call to prayer.

What is the difference between a Riad and a hotel in Marrakech?

Riads are typically smaller than hotels, with fewer rooms built around a central courtyard. Staying in a Riad means you’ll have a more personal experience, where you’ll quickly come to know everyone who works there, and learn more about their way of life.

Are Riads more expensive than hotels?

No, Riads aren’t more expensive than hotels. In fact, we found that staying in Riads was significantly cheaper than if we booked a hotel. There’s so many Riads to choose from that it’s easy to find the perfect place for your budget.

Do Riads have private bathrooms?

Yes, the majority of Riads have private bathrooms. These days, Riads are on the same level as luxury hotels, with incredible interiors, rooftop bars and restaurants, heated swimming pools and even spas. So you don’t need to worry about sharing a bathroom!

The best area to stay in Marrakech

If it’s your first visit, I’d recommend staying in the Medina – the old part of Marrakech inside the city walls.

This is where you’ll find the souks, Jemaa el-Fna Square, the Koutoubia Mosque and most of the main sights. It’s also home to the majority of the Riads in the city.

Outside the Medina, you’re more likely to find bigger hotels such as the Four Seasons, the Mandarin Oriental and The Oberoi.

Whilst these are all stunning, I don’t think they have the same charm as a Riad. Plus, I liked the convenience of being able to step out of the door and into the madness of Marrakech.

Marrakech riads with a pool: The wrap up

Here’s my complete guide to the best Marrakech Riads with a pool

I’d recommend booking Riad Sakkan. It scores a 9.5* Exceptional rating on Booking.com, includes breakfast and afternoon tea in the room rate, and is one of the only Riads on this list with a heated pool.

But whichever Riad you choose, you’re bound to have a brilliant time, Marrakech is a truly special place.

Enjoy your trip!

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