El Fenn, Marrakech

Chic, sleek, elegant and spacious: the Branson family-owned Riad El Fenn is an art-filled boutique luxury retreat, offering a superb combination of European creature comforts and opulent glamour—with hints of boho style.

Hidden behind a nondescript door in the western parts of the medina is an exquisitely decorated, Moroccan-style sanctuary, with interiors adorned with well selected, edgy canvases from trendy artists.

Behind the meter-thick walls

Created out of seven traditional houses, the hotel follows the traditional Morrocan riad model, with no windows on the street side and light flooding into the hotel via the central courtyard.

The rooms have a sparse Moroccan décor, with rich finishes: marble floors, carved window cornices, inlaid-silver surfaces. They are individually appointed and furnished, the best featuring private terraces and their own plunge pool.

Check availability for Riad El Fenn, Marrakesh:
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The El Fenn rooftop

The magnificent roof terrace is the best place to hang out. It offers a shaded area with daybeds, small heated pools, a sun deck, gardens and even a putting area with natural turf.

The views are some of the best in town, featuring the city roofs and the Koutoubia mosque, to the backdrop of the Atlas mountains. Even the steam rising from the food stalls in the Djemaa el-Fna square is visible. It’s a sight that is especially magical at dusk.

Eating in

Equipped with a piano and stage lighting the restaurant occasionally becomes a place to enjoy live music—but the prime reason is, of course, the food.

With the menu steered by seasonal organic local produce—sourced from Branson’s organic garden in the foothills of the Atlas mountains—the food is fresh, simple, inventive and eclectic, with a focus on the modern Mediterranean taste.

in our opinion

El Fenn is an authentic riad, restored beautifully with great attention to detail and with interiors full of historic charm but accented with modern art. Favored by creative types seeking understated luxury.

A good idea for a twin-centered holiday is to combine the stay here with the other Branson’s retreat, in the High Atlas Mountains: the stunning Kasbah Tamadot.

What we love

• Great interior design and architecture. El Fenn colonnaded balconies, quiet courtyard patios, and contemporary art are complemented by jewel-colored walls, subtle boho designs, and vintage furniture
• Top location, only five minutes walk from the main square (and yet the riad’s fortress-thick walls muffle the Medina sounds)
• The riad is packed with world-class art from established artists, such as Bridget Riley, Antony Gormley, and Fiona Rae
• Highly trained staff, unobtrusive yet attentive
• El Fenn is more spacious and modern than most other riad-type hotels
• The rooftop terrace has a nice pool and great views of the Atlas Mountains and the city
• Eco-sensitive policy: local bath products, solar energy, eco-friendly detergents
• There is a 10-seater private cinema with a great selection of movies
• Daily changing menu with products from the Branson family-owned organic farm

What you should know

• The walls are thick, and the windows small, so the bedrooms can feel a bit gloomy
• Some rooms have open-plan bathrooms, which may be a factor for guests who prefer privacy. The ground-floor rooms near the reception courtyard are less private and quiet
• There's a minimum stay of three nights at weekends, four nights during bank holidays and five nights at Christmas
• El Fenn is located only a 20-minute taxi ride from the Marrakech Menara airport
• The riad is accessible to travelers with disabilities
• Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals