The Best Hotels in Rabat, Morocco

This romantic riad, in the heart of Rabat, is straight out of the One Thousand and One Nights folk tales. Tall stone archways lead through dark elegant salons to a bright and breezy courtyard where a breakfast of fresh fruit and honey-drizzled msemen (Moroccan pancakes) is served. The whimsical rooms feature roll-top baths and a mezzanine bedroom or sumptuous bed. Head up to the rooftop terrace for tea with stunning views across the city.

Look no further than Euphoriad if you’re after an Insta-worthy couple’s retreat in Rabat. This 19th-century riad-turned boutique hotel, on the outskirts of the medina, oozes luxury. Rooms are an eclectic mix of Moroccan craftsmanship and a playful contemporary flair, with iPad-controlled lighting and bathtubs big enough for two. An infinity pool, perched on the rooftop, calls for long afternoons lazing in the sun, while the spa offers a rejuvenating hammam experience, complete with a black soap scrub and ghassoul clay mask.

This modern take on a traditional Moroccan riad, tucked away down an unassuming alleyway, boasts eleven rooms, decked out with contemporary artworks. Step out the front door and pick up souvenirs in the covered market and once you’ve had enough of the hustle and heat, retreat to the rooftop pool or for a massage at the spa. Don’t miss dinner in the elegant Art Deco-inspired dining room, where the menu changes daily according to the chef’s suggestions.

Choose Villa Mandarine for its dreamy landscape and amenities: orange groves line 3 acres (1.2ha) of gardens and there’s a hammam and a quiet, shaded pool. This riad-style hotel has been owned by the same family for generations and is just a 20-minute drive from the beach. Make the most of its delicious seafood offering, choosing from the chef’s seasonal suggestions to taste the local flavours. Expect sweet floral fragrances to waft into your room from suntrap balconies or small private gardens – just the spot for some fresh Moroccan mint tea.

Parades of palms and modern glass-fronted facades set the scene for a deluxe stay at STORY Rabat. The luxury begins in the rooms, with king-size beds, fluffy bathrobes and breezy balconies overlooking the gardens. Take a dip in the large pool before you sip on jasmine daiquiris in the bar prior to dinner, which is locally sourced and packed full of flavour. Think fresh fish tagine spiced with Tallaouine saffron and tabbouleh drizzled with argan oil.

The View, towering above the Hay Riad neighbourhood, is a little way out from the medina – but still close enough to dip in as you please. Sky-high suites gaze out to the Atlantic Ocean and the best view of the sunset is through floor-to-ceiling windows from the comfort of your own cloud-like bed. Poached Essaouira lobster and cinnamon-spiced slow-cooked lamb is on the dinner menu, while the lavish breakfast buffet features sushi rolls and platters of pastries. Don’t forget to stop by the Maison d’Asa for dreamy spa treatments.

Located between the souks and the sea, it’s the vivid colour palette that will bowl you over at this charming riad in the centre of Rabat. The rooms are no exception, with stained glass windows, dizzying mosaics and brightly painted walls. Make like the locals and cosy up with a fresh mint tea on the rooftop terrace, before treating yourself to an aromatherapy massage at the spa.

The owner of this riad, with the medina on its doorstep, took inspiration from the nearby coast and washed the place in calming whites and blues. The pool takes centre stage in the courtyard, framed by tall white archways and the seven rooms overlook either palm groves, the pool or out onto the streets. Don’t miss dinner of lamb tagine with juicy apricots and crispy briouat (pastries stuffed with meat).

The Villa des Ambassadors, along the embassy-lined Avenue Mohamed VI, is a tranquil retreat. A candle-lit hammam, a poolside bar and a romantic dinner setting will tempt you to stay within its walls for the duration of your stay. When you do venture out, the winding streets of the medina and the blue-and-white painted houses of the Kasbah are just a 15-minute drive away.

A 440-acre (178ha) oak forest isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of Morocco, but then anything is possible at the Ritz. Add in a massive golf course, palm-shaded pools and palatial gardens and you’ve got a truly royal stay. Travel through the flavours of this enchanting country’s cuisine at the five restaurants, or indulge your senses with a traditional hammam in the spa.

Conveniently located between the main train station and the medina, Hôtel Splendid is the best of Rabat’s budget options. Rooms are clean, airy and bright with simple wooden furniture and large windows that can be shuttered to keep out the sun during the hot hours of the morning. At the hotel’s centre is a lovely little courtyard with mosaic walls, plenty of tables and chairs and lots of greenery. Magically, despite being right in the middle of a bustling city, Hôtel Splendid somehow manages to always feel calm and peaceful, so you get all the advantages of staying downtown with none of the noise.

Le Pietri Urban Hotel is situated to the south of the medina, in the more residential part of Rabat’s center. Large and modern, its 35 orange-walled rooms are en suite, air-conditioned and come equipped with desks and satellite TV. For those who like to keep things luxurious there are a handful of suites with private terraces. On the ground floor is a popular restaurant which offers up a range of contemporary Mediterranean dishes, as well as tagines and other traditional Moroccan fare. There is also a bar adjoining the restaurant which hosts live jazz three nights a week.

Riad Oudaya is far and away the finest option in the medina. Rooms are arranged around a stunning courtyard that is pleasantly cool at pretty much any time of day, while the rooms themselves are spacious, warm and restful. Delicious meals are available; order in advance. The real key to the place’s charm, though, is the décor. Look around and you’ll see that virtually every aspect of the hotel’s interior has been carefully designed: floors and walls are covered with mosaics, ornate lampshades hang from the ceiling and most of the doorways are topped with elaborately-carved arches. An absolute must-stay.

Right in the heart of the city, a short walk from Rabat’s royal palace, Hôtel Bélère is a four-star destination that offers all the amenities of a luxury hotel, but at mid-range prices. Rooms are clean and comfortable with minibars, personals safes and air-conditioning. All manner of services are provided, from dry-cleaning to 24-hour room service. Bélère also boasts several conference rooms, two restaurants, a bar and a nightclub. On top of all that, there’s a wonderful roof terrace from which to take in the sights and sounds of downtown Rabat. And it’s handy for the train station too.