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Sometimes, the hotel isn’t simply somewhere to sleep. It’s part of the reason for going.

That’s particularly true in Morocco, where hidden courtyards, intricate tilework, carved wood, rooftop terraces and peaceful gardens can make stepping through the door of your accommodation feel like part of the adventure.

For clients who would choose character over convention, we’ve picked six stays in Marrakech and Fes that offer something distinctly Moroccan.

Fes: Step inside another world

Home to one of the world’s largest and best-preserved historic medinas, Fes is a natural setting for a traditional Moroccan stay. Behind seemingly unassuming doors, former residences reveal courtyards, fountains and beautifully detailed interiors.

4* Riad Fes Aicha

Tucked within the historic medina, Riad Fes Aicha offers an intimate base for experiencing the old city.

Traditional Moroccan craftsmanship features throughout, from colourful tiles and carved details to the central courtyard around which the accommodation is arranged. There’s also a rooftop terrace – the perfect spot to take in the surroundings after a day navigating Fes’s maze of lanes and souks.

5* Riad Braya

With its elegant courtyard, intricate plasterwork and traditional Moroccan detailing, Riad Braya is a stay with plenty of visual impact.

The property combines its historic character with contemporary comforts, with individually decorated rooms and suites alongside a pool, restaurant and rooftop terrace. Its location within the medina also puts guests within reach of many of Fes’s historic sights.

4* Riad Rcif

Set within a former palace in the Fes medina, Riad Rcif certainly doesn’t hold back when it comes to Moroccan detail.

Ornate zellige tilework, carved cedar, decorative plasterwork and grand arches create interiors that are every bit as memorable as the city outside. A traditional hammam and rooftop terrace add to the experience, while its position within the medina makes it an atmospheric base for exploring Fes.

Marrakech: Hidden behind the walls

Marrakech might be known for its energy, but some of its most interesting stays offer exactly the opposite. Behind walls and garden gates are peaceful hideaways that provide an escape from the pace of the city.

5* Les Deux Tours

Set within three hectares of gardens in Marrakech’s Palmeraie, Les Deux Tours feels more like a secluded retreat than a conventional city hotel.

The property is made up of Moroccan-style buildings surrounded by mature gardens, with rooms, suites and private residences dotted throughout the grounds. Some have their own pools, while the main swimming pool, spa, hammam and restaurant provide plenty of reasons to slow down.

Much of the produce used by the kitchen is also grown in the property’s own organic gardens, adding another dimension to its retreat-like feel.

4* Riad Sakkan

Back in the heart of Marrakech, Riad Sakkan takes the traditional riad concept and gives it a bold, contemporary twist.

Located within the medina, its individually styled rooms combine Moroccan craftsmanship with colourful modern design. There’s a courtyard pool for escaping the bustle outside, while the rooftop terrace provides another place to relax above the streets of the old city.

It’s intimate, distinctive and deliberately different from a large resort.

3* Dar Zemora

Hidden among gardens in Marrakech’s Palmeraie, Dar Zemora offers another take on the Moroccan hideaway.

More intimate than a large resort, the property combines individually designed rooms and suites with gardens, a swimming pool and traditional Moroccan-inspired interiors. Guests can also enjoy a hammam and treatments, while terraces and quiet corners throughout the grounds encourage a slower pace.

It offers the feeling of staying in a private Moroccan country house while keeping Marrakech within reach.

More than a place to stay

The appeal of these properties isn’t about having the longest list of facilities. It’s about how they make a stay in Morocco feel.

In Fes, that could mean stepping through an ancient doorway into an intricately decorated courtyard before heading out to explore the medina. In Marrakech, it might mean retreating from the city’s energy to a garden, rooftop or hidden pool.

For the right client, choosing accommodation with a strong sense of place can turn a good holiday into a far more memorable one.

So when you’re matching clients with their next Moroccan escape, don’t just think about where they want to stay. Think about how they want Morocco to feel when they get there.