Illustrative photo of the region — the property's own gallery is on the booking page.

Art-filled boutique riad by the Koutoubia — rooftop pool, bold interiors, and one of the medina's best sunset terraces.

Steps from Bab el Ksour and the Koutoubia, El Fenn is what happened when a contemporary art collector fell for a crumbling riad — and then kept buying the houses next door. Co-founded by Vanessa Branson, it has grown into a maze of courtyards, salons and gardens where saturated colour, tadelakt and serious artworks sit together with total confidence.

Days here revolve around the rooftop: breakfast under the bougainvillea, long lunches, and the medina's most coveted sunset drink beside the pool. Rooms range from cosy to palatial, no two alike. It is not the cheapest riad in Marrakech, and it is usually the hardest to book — both for the same reason.

Why we picked it

• Rooftop bar and pool with front-row views of the Koutoubia minaret
• A serious contemporary art collection hung throughout the house
• Interconnecting courtyards, gardens and salons that reward wandering