Menara Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Menara airport is just 5 km from Jemaa el-Fna, 15-20 minutes by taxi, enough to reach practically every part of the city: the closeness makes an airport hotel almost unnecessary, even for layovers of a few hours. The real choice is between the Medina, with the souks and the square a step away, the modern districts of Hivernage and Gueliz, built for hotels and nightlife, and the resort belt of the Palmeraie, among the palm trees north-east of the city but further from everything else.

Medina

Neighbourhood · About 5 km and 15-20 minutes by petit taxi from the airport to the area around Jemaa el-Fna; regular buses take 30-40 minutes.

Best for: Those who want the souks, Jemaa el-Fna and the historic monuments within walking distance, accepting narrow alleys and taxis that stop outside the walls.

Pros

Jemaa el-Fna, the souks and the Koutoubia Mosque within walking distance
Authentic riad atmosphere with inner courtyards and rooftop terraces

Cons

Cars don't enter the alleys: the last stretch is on foot with your luggage or with a porter
More noise and nightlife than in the modern districts outside the walls

Recommended hotels in this area

Riad Dar Melia: On Rue Al Amlak Makhaziana, 900 metres from Jemaa el-Fna and close to the Bahia Palace: a riad with a pool and rooftop terrace in the heart of the Medina.
"LE 21" - Duplex di lusso vicino a Jemaa el-Fna: About 400 metres from the square, close to the Jardin Secret and the Koutoubia: a duplex with a private hammam, a jacuzzi and a view of the Koutoubia from the terrace.

See more hotels in this area →

Hivernage and Gueliz

Neighbourhood · About 7-15 minutes by car from the airport; Jemaa el-Fna is about 4 minutes by car from Hivernage, a little more from Gueliz.

Best for: Those seeking international hotels with pools, restaurants and modern nightlife, a few minutes from both the airport and the Medina.

Pros

International hotels with pool and spa, more comfort than in the Medina's riads
M Avenue and Carré Eden, with shops, restaurants and evening venues, a few steps away

Cons

Less historic charm than the Medina: wide avenues and modern architecture
For the souks and historic monuments you still need a taxi or a 15-20 minute walk

Recommended hotels in this area

Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech Carré Eden: Inside the Carré Eden complex on Avenue Mohamed V in Gueliz, among fashionable shops and venues: pool and hammam a few steps from the evening shopping.
Pestana CR7 Marrakech: On M Avenue in Hivernage, the lifestyle hotel linked to Cristiano Ronaldo's brand: a panoramic pool and gym among the area's strengths.
Sofitel Marrakech Palais Impérial & Spa: On Rue Harroun Errachid in Hivernage, about 3 km from the centre and 15 minutes from the airport: architecture inspired by royal palaces and a spa spread across several pavilions.

See more hotels in this area →

Palmeraie

Neighbourhood · About 12-16 km and 20-25 minutes by car from the airport along the Route de Fès/Route de Casablanca; reaching Jemaa el-Fna adds another 15-20 minutes.

Best for: Those looking for a resort with a pool and gardens among the palms, accepting to be further from the souks and city life.

Pros

Resorts with large gardens, pools and green spaces, rare elsewhere in the city
Quieter and more isolated from the traffic and noise of the centre

Cons

Far from the souks and historic monuments: every outing requires a taxi
A residential area with no life on foot outside the resorts themselves

Recommended hotels in this area

Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech: A 4-star resort across 10 hectares of gardens with three pools and a small lake, at the foot of the Atlas: among the most polished in the Palmeraie belt.
Hotel Riu Tikida Palmeraie - All Inclusive: On the Route de Fès at km 6, all-inclusive with extensive gardens: among the most established Riu options in the Palmeraie.
Ibis Marrakech Palmeraie: On the Route de Casablanca in the same Palmeraie belt: an affordable option for those who want the resort belt without the price of a 4-5 star.

See more hotels in this area →