10 riads to stay at least once in Morocco

When you open the doors of 72 Riad Living in the heart of Marrakech's medina, you discover a sophisticated setting combining Moroccan craftsmanship and contemporary Italian design. It has just four comfortable, elegantly decorated rooms, where every detail has been meticulously attended to.

The flower-filled courtyard and roof terrace are ideal for reading a book in peace or sipping mint tea. In the evening, you can watch the sun set while enjoying a cocktail against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Lunch and dinner are exclusively Moroccan, so you can discover exotic flavours.

A blend of Western modernity and traditional Moroccan architecture, Riad Dar Maya in the port city ofEssaouira perfectly combines the two styles to create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation. All five bedrooms have fireplaces and bathrooms with underfloor heating and marble bathtubs.

Like many riads, Dar Maya hasa spa where guests can enjoy a hammam, massages and a range of body treatments. Room service, concierge and laundry services are also available at Dar Maya. Seafood is at the heart of the restaurant's tasty dishes. Snacks are available all day and there is a dining area on the roof terrace.

Riad Villa Blanche is a far cry from the many club hotels in Agadir. Calm, tranquillity and refinement are the watchwords of this elegant white building overlooking a swimming pool. You come here to relax in a cosy atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A patio lets in theAgadir breeze, where you can have a drink, read and relax. The 28 rooms around it are all different, with chic, sophisticated decor. The restaurant and spa are renowned outside and even attract locals.

Recently renovated, the Euphoriad riad offers a refined décor in an oriental architectural style reminiscent of a royal palace.

With eight rooms and suites, an outdoor swimming pool, a panoramic terrace and a spa, this luxury hotel aims to give its guests a taste of princely life. Hammam and massages with black soap or argan oil can also be enjoyed on the terrace, while taking in the view of the Rabat medina.

At the gateway to the Sahara desert, the suburbs of Ouarzazate are home to some of the most beautiful riads in Morocco. The Ksar Ighnda is one of them: the artisanal touches andtypical Moroccanarchitecture are sure to seduce visitors. Hammam, whirlpool bath, scrubs and massages... there's plenty to relax you after a long day. And don't forget the outdoor swimming pool with its deckchairs, where you can soak up the sun.

At the end of the day, the best thing to do is enjoy a cocktail on the riad's rooftop, with breathtaking views of the Ounila River and the Atlas Mountains, before heading to the restaurant, which serves French and Moroccan dishes. The riad's 55 rooms offer the utmost in comfort, with air conditioning, minibars, televisions and traditional furnishings, not to mention panoramic views of the desert.

Located in Fès, in the heart of the medina, the Riad Fès is one of the most beautiful in Morocco. This riad, with its traditional Moroccan decor, impresses with its soothing atmosphere. There are also touches of the baroque style found inAndalusian architecture. Riad Fès is a Relais & Château hotel with a swimming pool, a panoramic terrace offering breathtaking views of the medina and the Atlas mountains, a solarium and a spa.

Ahost of services are on offer, including laundry, car hire, room service, excursions and transfers, and a Moroccan gastronomy restaurant. Everything is planned to ensure that guests spend as much time as possible in this accommodation: shops, gym, library, cookery and wine tasting classes or massages... It's impossible to get bored at Riad Fès!

In the heart of the Atlas Mountains, the small village of Imlil is just 1h30 from Marrakech. Riad Atlas Prestige promises breathtaking views. Each room overlooks the massif, and you can also admire the sun-drenched and snow-capped peaks from the terrace.

In terms of service, the riad offers its guests a range of Moroccan and vegetarian dishes, Wi-Fi and organised excursions and treks through the Atlas mountains and Berber villages.

Located just a few steps from Place Jemâa el Fna, Riad Monceau is ideal for visiting the red city and its monuments, with theatmosphere of the medina just outside the riad. The different rooms of this ancient residence are arranged around the sunlit patio and its swimming pool, and are decorated with wood, wrought iron and friezes cut into the stone.

The riad has six bedrooms and one suite, all decorated differently but with great taste. The solarium terrace is ideal for soaking up the sun and enjoying the view of the Atlas Mountains and the Koutoubia. The restaurant serves refined Moroccan cuisine.

Hidden away in the maze of narrow streets of Tangier's Kasbah, the Dar Sultan riad offers all the comforts of a beautifully decorated traditional Moroccan house. Despite their small size, the six rooms are full of charm thanks to their different decorative elements.

Special attention has been paid to every detail by the owners, who have decorated the establishment with their travel finds and typical Moroccan artefacts. Meals are served by the white fireplace on the ground floor, on red armchairs with striped cushions, ideal for a romantic dinner!

Riad des Golfs is set in a forest of eucalyptus trees a few kilometres from the centre of Agadir, not far from the city's various golf courses. It may be a little out of the way, but it's perfect for golfers and anyone looking for a quiet retreat. This imposing building was built by a French couple who came to Agadir in search of sunshine.

Only seven spacious rooms welcome guests in a relaxed atmosphere. The décor is a classic blend of different styles. In the flower-filled garden, there is a lovely long swimming pool surrounded by greenery. The hotel does not have a restaurant as such, but a cook can prepare Moroccan dishes on reservation.