Hotel Sherazade

Hotel Sherazade is a long-established, good-value hotel set in a pair of historic riads in a quiet derb off Rue Riad Zitoun el Kdim, a few minutes' walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa. It offers a traditional riad experience at a more modest price than many medina guesthouses, which makes it a popular choice for independent travellers.

The two houses are arranged around shaded courtyards with plants and tiled floors, and the rooms vary in size and style, so check the options when booking. A small pool in the second courtyard is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00 and is welcome on hot afternoons. The sun terrace on the roof is a good place to relax and watch the medina rooftops. Breakfast is included with every booking.

There is also a hammam and spa, and the hotel can arrange activities including day trips beyond the city and cooking classes. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and staff are used to helping first-time visitors find their way around. The hotel also offers bungalows in the countryside outside Marrakech for those who want a quieter base.

Hotel Sherazade suits budget-conscious couples, solo travellers and families who want to be close to the main sights without paying luxury prices. Facilities are simpler than at the boutique riads, and the rooms on the lower floors can be darker, as is usual in traditional houses, so ask about the options when you book. Reserve early in high season, as the best-value rooms go quickly.

The hotel is on Derb Jamaa, off Rue Riad Zitoun el Kdim, which runs south from Jemaa el-Fnaa towards the Kasbah. The square is about five minutes away on foot, the Bahia Palace and the Mellah are within fifteen minutes, and Naranj and the other restaurants of Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid are close by. Petits taxis can drop you near Jemaa el-Fnaa, and the hotel can explain the short walk from there. A wheeled suitcase is manageable on the main street but harder in the narrow derb. Light sleepers should bring earplugs, as is wise in any medina hotel close to the mosques and the square.