The Most Stunning Riads in Meknes

Riads offers a home-from-home stay
Riads offers a home-from-home stay | © Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo
Sarah Williams

Forget hotels in Meknes – the riads here embrace the warmth and authenticity of a traditional Moroccan home, and they’re all within walking distance of the medina.

The stunning collection of riads in Meknes offers an authentic and affordable taste of this largely underrated pocket of Morocco. Here are some of the best residences to stay in this northern city, serving up everything from secluded patios to home-cooked cuisine, and they’re bookable on Culture Trip.

1. Dar Meknes Tresor

Riad

A two-bed guest room with a hand-painted headboard at the Dar Meknes Tresor
Courtesy of Dar Meknes Tresor / Booking.com

The traditional Moroccan breakfast here comes included and is fit for royalty, with warm fresh bread, jams, chutneys, boiled eggs and local cheese with coffee strong enough to give you superpowers. This riad sits in the old medina, 300m (984ft) from El Hadim square, and comes with a 24-hour front desk to make round-the-clock exploring easy. Inside, the mood is cool and tranquil with tiles running throughout the rooms. Family quarters can accommodate up to six.

2. Riad Dar Alkatib

Riad

Three beds with colourful bedding and photos on the wall at Riad Dar Alkatib
Courtesy of Riad Dar Alkatib / Booking.com

The inward-facing layout of riads was originally designed to maximise family privacy and will keep you nicely cocooned from the outside world. The light-drenched rooms are decorated with colourful local textiles and stained-glass windows that open onto the central courtyard. All rooms come with private bathrooms, hairdryers and free toiletries. Other areas of the riad include a shared lounge and kitchen.

4. Riad Meknes

Hotel

A small pool flanked by lit-up lanterns and cushioned seating at Riad Meknes
Courtesy of Riad Meknes / Booking.com

Riad Meknes is centrally located, just a short walk from major attractions such as the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, Bou Inania Madrasa and Dar Jamai. There are 12 ensuite rooms at the property. Double rooms have either one double bed or two single beds, with triple and quadruple rooms ideal for families or groups of friends. All guests can enjoy a filling breakfast each morning. Moroccan designs can be found throughout the property, from the bedding and the cushion covers to the ornate lamps and colourful tiling. Take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool to relax on a hot summer’s day, and refresh your senses in the interior courtyard, complete with a fountain, leafy plants and cacti. Creeping flowers sprawl across the facade, and the walls enclosing the breakfast area are adorned with ceramic plates, ornate clocks and other decorative items.

5. Riad Lahboul

Hotel

A one-bed guest room with light-blue walls and rich textiles at Riad Lahbou
Courtesy of Riad Lahbou / Booking.com

Run by an English-Moroccan couple who love music, Riad Lahboul has been carefully restored to showcase the finest Andalusian designs. You can choose between double or twin rooms, all ensuite and air-conditioned with wifi access. Each room is individually decorated, and some have a private terrace. Throughout the building, you’ll notice ornate plasterwork and traditional handmade tile work. Bright colours and bold patterns enhance the experience. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and there’s an on-site restaurant that serves tasty Moroccan fare. If you fall in love with the cuisine, you can arrange a cooking class with the riad too. Sometimes the hosts play music as you dine, creating an enchanting ambience that you’ll be reluctant to leave behind. Soak up the views and the sunshine from one of the comfortable roof terraces.

6. Riad Yacout

Hotel

A beautifully tiled guest room with a sitting alcove at Riad Yacout
Courtesy of Riad Yacout / Booking.com

Why stay in a hotel in Meknes, when you can stay at the sophisticated Riad Yacout, dating back to the 18th century? A fantastic place to recharge your batteries in glorious surroundings, the riad has a swimming pool, a lounge, a rooftop terrace, a spa and a restaurant. Relax with a glass of Moroccan mint tea at the end of a busy day of sightseeing before retiring to your chic room. Rooms and suites are available for two or three guests, with all 14 guest rooms arranged over one level. All rooms are ensuite and tastefully furnished. You can expect elegant drapes, patterned textiles, plush carpets, large mirrors, carved wood, soft lighting and other lovely features.

7. Riad La maison d’à Côté

Hotel

A one-bed guest room with clashing patterns and a shelf with books at Riad La Maison D’à Côté
Courtesy of Riad La Maison D’à Côté / Booking.com

The first things you notice as you enter Riad La Maison d’à Côté are the blue zellige floor tiles and the lush greenery growing throughout the interior courtyard. With just five guest rooms in the riad, you can be assured of a peaceful and intimate stay. All rooms have a private bathroom, and the suites for three and five boast a fireplace. Eye-catching patterns and vibrant colours are found in all rooms and common areas, while some rooms have intricately painted ceiling beams. The property has a pretty terrace, and breakfast is provided each morning. You can also enjoy an evening meal at the on-site restaurant, and if you’re feeling peckish when you return from seeing the sights, how about a pot of tea and a selection of sweet Moroccan pastries?

8. Riad Golf Stinia

Hotel

A one-bed guest room with an ornately carved headboard and a photo of horses at Riad Golf Stinia
Courtesy of Riad Golf Stinia / Booking.com

Sitting beside Royal Golf de Meknes, Riad Golf Stinia is in a prime position for anyone who likes the idea of interspersing their sightseeing with a few rounds of golf. Double rooms, twin rooms and family rooms (for three guests) are available, each with individual designs. There are just six rooms, making for a quiet stay. All rooms have a private bathroom and air conditioning, as well as free wifi access and a TV. The decor is stylish and elegant, using neutral and pale colours, ideal for those who enjoy a more upmarket feel. The riad has a terrace and a restaurant where you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast that will help start the day just right.

9. Riad d’Or

Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Moroccan, African, Mediterranean, Halal

A beautifully tiled guest room with colourful drapery at Riad d’Or
Courtesy of Riad d’Or / Booking.com

The glorious Riad d’Or dates back to the early 1790s. Today, it has been restored and renovated to allow visitors to enjoy the splendour while imagining how this grand old home may have looked in times gone by. Modern facilities help today’s guests enjoy a comfortable experience. In the historic heart of the old medina, the property boasts exquisite aesthetics with a charming sense of the past. Patios with flowers and foliage surround the lovely rooms and suites, and some rooms have a private terrace. All rooms have a private bathroom, complete with smooth tadelakt (plaster) walls and air conditioning. Details include elaborately carved headboards, woven rugs, enchanting lamps, plump cushions, flowing curtains and other traditional touches. Unwind in the hammam or on the terrace, order something tasty from the kitchen, sip a drink while admiring the lounge bar and relish a hearty breakfast each morning.

10. Riad Ritaj

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel

A one-bed guest room with yellow walls and bold textiles at Riad Ritaj
Courtesy of Riad Ritaj / Booking.com

At this splendid accommodation in Meknes where glamour and fine traditions reign supreme, you cannot help but feel at least a little bit fancy. Beauty hits you as soon as you enter Riad Ritaj, with a fountain surrounded by stunning floor tiles, grand columns and intricate plasterwork. There are wooden chairs with striped upholstery, colourful carpets, chandeliers and leafy plants, while the fabulous designs continue into the rooms where traditional patterns and materials make each a joy to spend time in. Rooms come with private bathrooms, satellite TVs and air conditioning. The riad has a terrace and a restaurant.

11. Riad el Ma

Riad

A one-bed guest room with a wooden headboard and striped blanket at Riad el Ma
Courtesy of Riad el Ma / Booking.com

If the core mission of a riad is to provide an authentic homely Morrocan experience, Riad el Ma more than delivers. With an in-house chef giving cooking workshops, traditional furnishings and a central location in the medina, this is a first-rate Meknes riad.

12. Riad Benchekroun

Riad

A cosy guest room with a lovely wooden headboard at Riad Benchekroun
Courtesy of Riad Benchekroun / Booking.com

The welcome you receive from the friendly staff here is as warm as the ochre-coloured walls outside, making you feel immediately at home. Along with charming rooms, there’s a sun-baked rooftop serving up great views, and there are regular live music performances on the carpet-clad patio from local musicians. Guests rate the service here along with the reasonable room rates, with breakfast included in the price.

Judy Cogan contributed additional reporting to this article.

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