RIAD CAMILIA

Passing through the low, thickset door into this fabulous riad knocks most people off their feet. It is everything a riad should be: tranquil, cosseting, beautiful and relaxing, and full of artistry and fine craftwork. A deep plunge pool invites dangling legs in summer, while in winter you can retreat to the luxurious living room, which is filled with suedecovered sofas, bright Berber rugs, twinkling brass lanterns and turn-ofthe-century paintings.

Rooms from £147; telegraph.co.uk/ttriadcamilia

LE RIAD BERBÈRE

Sobriety and authenticity are the watchwords of this riad. A wooden door opens from the noisy alley into a soaring, white courtyard filled with large banana palms and clipped citrus trees bearing golden oranges. The double-storey space lifts spirits and eyes up to a lofty roof terrace where once Marrakechi housewives would have gossiped over parapet walls and where now magical candlelit dinners and sunny breakfasts are served. In the courtyard is an octagonal pool where you’ll often find the sphinx-like house cat curled up on a cushion. Just five rooms, three of them with balconies that overlook the garden, run the length of the house.

Rooms from £82; telegraph.co.uk/ttleriadberbere

DAR HOUSNIA

With its sun-baked pink patio tiles, carved white plasterwork and elegant Lancet arches, this riad has an unmistakable ArabAndalucian feel. Owner, Eveline, has an impeccable design eye and you’ll find much to admire, from the beautifully knotted silk curtain ties to impressive artworks, such as the sun-drenched oil paintings by Jacques Majorelle in the Mogador suite. There’s a secluded mezzanine pool and two roof terraces, one with a most welcome misting system.

Rooms from £135; telegraph.co.uk/ttdarhousnia

RIAD JARDIN SECRET

The art of doing nothing is sometimes the hardest thing of all, but fashion duo Cyrielle and Julien have perfected it in their soulful sevenbedroom riad where they have preserved some extraordinary craftsmanship. Deep bhous (seating nooks), a shaded roof terrace and tranquil salons lit through stainedglass windows are where you’ll find guests resting, reading books and drinking tea. As part of their sustainable ethos, the house doesn’t have a pool or a hammam, making part of the adventure of staying here living as the locals do.

Doubles from £128; telegraph.co.uk/ttriadjardinsecret

DAR SIMONS

This restaurant-withrooms is a new concept for Marrakech. Owner and chef Carlo Simons earned his stripes in various Michelin-starred kitchens and so he approaches both his cooking and hosting with a deep sense of care. Everything in the dar reflects this, from the gleaming, high-spec open kitchen to the bespoke and vintage furniture, and the thoughtful service. The enclosed courtyard downstairs is devoted to an intimate dining room that seats just 14, where you’ll taste some of the finest food to be had in the Medina. An inventive five-course dinner menu costs €75 (£63) and explores the best seasonal Moroccan produce: think sea bass ceviche on a base of local liouba beans or pigeon with lively Szechuan pepper.

Doubles from £50; telegraph.co.uk/ttdarsimons

DAR LES CIGOGNES

The late, great Tunisianborn architect Charles Boccara renovated this house. The decorative finish is particularly fine: intricate zellij tiling rings the patios and staircases, while lacy stuccowork frames the scalloped edges of tall Lancet arches. The crowning glory is the roof terrace with its views of nesting storks atop the palace walls. The original hammam is small but perfectly formed, with a star-studded dome over the plunge pool, while massages are taken in a spectacular double-height room filled with multicoloured light refracted through stainedglass windows. There’s also a smart shop stocked with billowing kaftans.

Doubles from £143; telegraph.co.uk/ttdarlescigognes

RIAD L’ATELIER

This light, bright riad is set in a restored foundouk (a travellers’ inn) which once sold babouches (leather slippers), but now houses five soothingly decorated suites set around a turquoise pool framed by sculptural palms and pretty graphic tiles. Patterned stairs draw you upwards to bedrooms and then out onto the roof terrace where guests lie snoozing on curvaceous rattan loungers.

Rooms from £102; telegraph.co.uk/ttriadlatelier