La Maison Arabe Hotel, Marrakesh

4.7 (37 reviews) · Luxury
Historic boutique riad with a Moroccan culinary school, elegant rooms, a jazz bar, a luxurious spa, two pools, and a secret garden sanctuary

Overview

La Maison Arabe is a luxurious riad hotel in Marrakesh, rooted in an illustrious history dating back to the 1940s when it was founded as the first restaurant in the Medina open to foreigners. The hotel was later restored in the 1990s by Count Fabrizio Ruspoli, transforming it into Marrakesh's first boutique riad hotel. Over the years, the hotel has welcomed many famous faces, including Ernest Hemingway, Jackie Kennedy, and Sir Winston Churchill. Conveniently located, it's just a short walk from Jemaa el-Fna Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The hotel's 37 rooms offer an elegant blend of Moroccan and European design. Each room is unique in layout and design, combining contemporary elegance with Moroccan decorative elements. Most rooms feature a fireplace and a private balcony or terrace—perfect for enjoying a drink under the stars. The bathrooms are crafted from Moroccan marble and granite, immersing you in the highest levels of luxury. For those seeking a more secluded experience, the hotel also offers a private penthouse residence, the Douiria, which can be booked individually or in its entirety for an exclusive getaway.

La Maison Arabe doesn't just offer a place to rest—it's a culinary destination. The hotel continues its long tradition of refined Moroccan gastronomy, offering guests the chance to take part in a world-renowned cooking school where veteran local chefs share their age-old culinary secrets. After a busy day exploring the historic sites and bustling souks, guests can unwind with a cocktail at the piano-jazz bar, indulge in a rejuvenating hammam and massage at the spa, or take a dip in one of the hotel's two swimming pools. 

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +212 524387010
Hotel address icon 1 Derb Essehb Bab doukkala
Free wifi
Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Excellent Staff and Service

The staff at this hotel were consistently praised for being kind, helpful, and friendly. Many reviews specifically mentioned fabulous service at the front desk, restaurant, and during breakfast. Some guests felt treated like royalty and appreciated the personal, warm approach. (12 mentions)

Adeel
“Staff was very friendly and welcoming, they offered great service.”  — Adeel A.
Jared
“The staff were very kind and helpful both at the restaurant for breakfast and at the front desk.”  — Jared R.
A
“Very hospitable team, they go out of the way to make your stay comfortable.”  — Amit C.
Great Location

Reviewers found the hotel's location to be fantastic, close to the bustling city center and within walking distance to many attractions. It was praised for being in the heart of the medina and having easy access to the souks. (11 mentions)

A
“Beautiful property, well located close to the bustling city centre.”  — Amit C.
Caren
“The location is fantastic and we walked everywhere but had the option to hail a cab when our feet were too tired”  — Caren P.
J
“Beautiful hotel in a good central location.”  — june l.
Beautiful Decor and Ambiance

Guests frequently admired the hotel's beautiful decor and ambiance. The hotel was described as historic, beautifully decorated, and serene with a chic Jazz bar and beautiful courtyard. Some reviews specifically mentioned spectacular decor throughout the building and wonderfully decorated rooms. (10 mentions)

Eric
“The place looked like an ambassador's residence”  — Eric W.
Caren
“Beautiful decor throughout the building”  — Caren P.
D
“Beautiful, fine hotel, The art in this place is amazing!”  — DeAnna D.
Comfortable Rooms

Many guests found the rooms to be spacious, clean, and comfortable. Some reviews highlighted large rooms with comfortable beds and amenities like uber-cushy slippers and robes. However, a few reviews mentioned that some rooms were small and had layout issues. (10 mentions)

M
“The hotel is updated, and the rooms are quite spacious.”  — Meera S.
Thomas
“our room was spacious, quiet, and comfortable”  — Thomas G.
L
“Rooms are large and bed was the most comfortable one of our trip”  — Lisa K.

Traveler Reviews

37 total ratings, 25 with reviews
4.7
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.8
Location
4.5
Staff
4.9
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.7
Jacqui
Jacqui S.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2024
Beautiful Riad. Only problem is that they had a beautiful pool and it was hot but there was nowhere to lounge by the pool as all the tables around were for the restaurant. The lounges were up on a small deck which only fit 4 lounges and it was hot with no air flow because of the walls around it. Part of the restaurant should have been made into the pool lounges. Read more

Beautiful Riad. Only problem is that they had a beautiful pool and it was hot but there was nowhere to lounge by the pool as all the tables around were for the restaurant. The lounges were up on a small deck which only fit 4 lounges and it was hot with no air flow because of the walls around it. Part of the restaurant should have been made into the pool lounges.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2024
Jeffrey
Jeffrey Y.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Oct 03, 2024
This Riad is the most beautiful of all! Our driver told us it is on the MUST SEE list. Read more

This Riad is the most beautiful of all! Our driver told us it is on the MUST SEE list.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2024
Jared
Jared R.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 19, 2024
This hotel was lovely. The staff were very kind and helpful both at the restaurant for breakfast and at the front desk. 3/5 stars for a couple reasons:
- the place felt a bit rundown to me. Furniture and finishes were a little beat-up and the quality felt like it took a hit because of that.
- the rooftop bar/restaurant was terrible! We ate there one night when we had had a long day and wanted the convenience. The prices were exceptionally high relative to the rest of our time at much...
Read more

This hotel was lovely. The staff were very kind and helpful both at the restaurant for breakfast and at the front desk. 3/5 stars for a couple reasons:
- the place felt a bit rundown to me. Furniture and finishes were a little beat-up and the quality felt like it took a hit because of that.
- the rooftop bar/restaurant was terrible! We ate there one night when we had had a long day and wanted the convenience. The prices were exceptionally high relative to the rest of our time at much better places, and the food was sub-par. It was the worst tagine I ate the entire trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location was close to the edge of the Medina, which allowed our driver to easily drop us off and pick us up. But it was a rather far walk from the central parts of the Medina where we wanted to spend our time and at times not the most pleasant
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2024
Mikell
Mikell R.
Rockville, MD | Reviewed on May 19, 2024
We loved staying here! Staff was fabulous - so helpful and friendly. The location was amazing as well! A/C was cool and much appreciated after a long day walking! Read more

We loved staying here! Staff was fabulous - so helpful and friendly. The location was amazing as well! A/C was cool and much appreciated after a long day walking!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2024
Marci
Marci R.
Mesa, AZ | Reviewed on May 18, 2024
FANTASTIC! We loved the historical nature of it, the warm pool, and the spa as well. Beautiful, serene courtyard. Read more

FANTASTIC! We loved the historical nature of it, the warm pool, and the spa as well. Beautiful, serene courtyard.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Located right near the main square in the medina.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2024
C
Clarissa T.
West Sacramento, CA | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024
La Maison Arabe was an historic old hotel with chic Jazz bar and cool rooftop bar in Marrakech Read more

La Maison Arabe was an historic old hotel with chic Jazz bar and cool rooftop bar in Marrakech

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2024
E
Eri K.
Japan | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2024
I loved this hotel, a very close second after my favorte Ksar El Kabbaba Kaspa & Spa. La Maison Arabe has beautifully appointed rooms and good food and music. Wonderful ambiance. Not our best meals in Morroco but very, very good. The heated pool was a super plus for our children. The stairs were a bit hard for our elderly parents but the staff were lovely and helpful with bags etc. We did not take advantage of the sister country club but in warmer weather, it may be a very... Read more

I loved this hotel, a very close second after my favorte Ksar El Kabbaba Kaspa & Spa. La Maison Arabe has beautifully appointed rooms and good food and music. Wonderful ambiance. Not our best meals in Morroco but very, very good. The heated pool was a super plus for our children. The stairs were a bit hard for our elderly parents but the staff were lovely and helpful with bags etc.

We did not take advantage of the sister country club but in warmer weather, it may be a very enticing benefit.

I would come back in a heartbeat.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2024
Eric
Eric W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2024
We were treated like royalty. Got upgraded to the penthouse / roof top unit 287 (yeah, only 2-3 floors in a traditional ryad). The place looked like an ambassador's residence with a walk in closet that can fit wardrobe for a dozen people. I credit that to our guide Said - even though he did not take credit for that. Read more

We were treated like royalty. Got upgraded to the penthouse / roof top unit 287 (yeah, only 2-3 floors in a traditional ryad). The place looked like an ambassador's residence with a walk in closet that can fit wardrobe for a dozen people. I credit that to our guide Said - even though he did not take credit for that.

Authenticity & Character
listening to traditional music and dinning next to the indoor pool was awesome
Location
about 10m walk to the main plaza
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Top quality bathroom and facilities.
Stayed in December 2023
A
Amit C.
India | Reviewed on Dec 17, 2023

Beautiful property, well located close to the bustling city centre.
Very hospitable team, they go out of the way to make your stay comfortable.
Great breakfast.
very good spa,

Stayed in December 2023
Caren
Caren P.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Nov 30, 2023
One of the best places we stayed while we were in Morocco. It was a great way to spend our last two days in Marrakesh. Beautiful decor throughout the building, breakfast and all the options were amazing, and the staff was helpful. The location is fantastic and we walked everywhere but had the option to hail a cab when our feet were too tired. I was sad to learn on our last day that there was a roof deck which we somehow missed and would have loved to check-out. Read more

One of the best places we stayed while we were in Morocco. It was a great way to spend our last two days in Marrakesh. Beautiful decor throughout the building, breakfast and all the options were amazing, and the staff was helpful. The location is fantastic and we walked everywhere but had the option to hail a cab when our feet were too tired. I was sad to learn on our last day that there was a roof deck which we somehow missed and would have loved to check-out.

Authenticity & Character
Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy to walk to main sites and restaurants or to get a taxi from
Location
Easy to walk to main sites and restaurants or to get a taxi from
Staff
Very courteous and helpful (they will help you get a taxi or help you with directions)
Staff
Very courteous and helpful (they will help you get a taxi or help you with directions)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was very clean. You could hear sounds from outside during normal business hours (we slept fine at night!) and the room was a little dark despite having windows.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was very clean. You could hear sounds from outside during normal business hours (we slept fine at night!) and the room was a little dark despite having windows.
Stayed in November 2023

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +212 524387010
Hotel address icon 1 Derb Essehb Bab doukkala
Free wifi