Illustrative photo of the region — the property's own gallery is on the booking page.
Riad El Borj
A former Glaoui-era watchtower in Derb Dabachi doubles as a guest room, with its own terrace for sunrise views over the medina.
Ryad El Borj sits in Derb Dabachi, a tree-lined lane a five-minute walk from Jemaa El Fna. The building is a restored former property of the Glaoui El Madani family, and its standout feature is a converted watchtower bedroom with its own private terrace — guests who book it mention watching sunrise and sunset from their own rooftop. The riad has 7 bedrooms of varying styles around a central patio shaded by orange trees; there's no dedicated restaurant, but the riad runs a table d'hôtes for lunch and dinner, with breakfast included.
The property is strongly and consistently rated: 9.6 out of 10 on Booking.com from 683 verified reviews, with guests repeatedly citing cleanliness, value for money and the owners' personal attentiveness. It's priced at the budget-to-mid-range end — inexpensive relative to its Glaoui-era history and watchtower room. One caveat worth flagging: the pool isn't on the riad's own footprint but at its Riad Jenanne annex roughly 30 metres away, per the property's own site.
Why we chose it
- Restored former property of the Glaoui El Madani family, including a converted watchtower bedroom with its own private terrace
- Booking.com: 9.6/10 from 683 verified reviews — a larger review base than most riads at this price point
- 7 bedrooms around a central patio shaded by orange trees; the pool is at the riad's Riad Jenanne annex ~30m away rather than on-site
Amenities
- Outdoor pool (at Riad Jenanne annex, ~30m away)
- Hammam/spa on request
- Rooftop watchtower terrace
- Table d'hôtes dining
- Free WiFi
- Breakfast included
Getting there
Riad El Borj is in Marrakech, about 25 minutes from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK). From here, Marrakech's highlights are within reach, including Jemaa el-Fna square, Bahia Palace and Ben Youssef Madrasa — see the full Marrakech guide for more on what to see nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Does Riad El Borj have a pool?
Yes — outdoor pool (at Riad Jenanne annex, ~30m away).
Is there a hammam or spa at Riad El Borj?
Yes — hammam/spa on request.
Is there an on-site restaurant at Riad El Borj?
Yes — table d'hôtes dining.
What is Riad El Borj best for?
Riad El Borj is best for value-conscious travelers who still want a historic building and a private rooftop lookout.
See live availability, prices and the property's own photos on our booking partner.