Illustrative photo of the region — the property's own gallery is on the booking page.
Riad Kaiss by Anika
A 16th-century palace that once housed the harem of Sultan Moulay Yacoub, restored over 25 years by French architect Christian Ferre.
Riad Kaiss occupies one of the old city's genuine palace buildings — a 16th-century structure once used as the harem of Sultan Moulay Yacoub. French architect Christian Ferre bought the property in the 1980s and spent 25 years restoring it, drawing on his own research into Moorish and Islamic decorative arts; reviewers and travel writers describe the result as "the real thing" rather than a themed reconstruction. Today it holds just 9 rooms and suites around a courtyard garden, with a hammam, sauna, solarium, and outdoor pool on site, plus cooking classes and private guiding arranged through the house.
Booking.com guests rate it 9.4/10 across 409 reviews, and TripAdvisor ranks it #10 of 926 Marrakech hotels — among the strongest scores of any riad on the site. The honest caveats, from repeated guest feedback: it's an old building, so windows aren't soundproofed (expect to hear neighbourhood dogs at night), some twin rooms are tight for two adults with luggage, and beds run firm. None of that has dented the overall rating, but "restored 16th-century palace" means original bones, not new-build comfort.
Why we chose it
- Occupies a 16th-century building once used as the harem of Sultan Moulay Yacoub
- Bought in the 1980s by French architect Christian Ferre, who spent 25 years restoring it
- Rated 9.4/10 from 409 verified reviews on Booking.com; TripAdvisor ranks it #10 of 926 Marrakech hotels
Amenities
- Outdoor pool
- Hammam
- Sauna
- Solarium
- Spa (facials, massage, manicure/pedicure)
- Restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Rooftop terrace
Getting there
Riad Kaiss by Anika 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 Kaiss by Anika have a pool?
Yes — outdoor pool.
Is there a hammam or spa at Riad Kaiss by Anika?
Yes — hammam.
Is there an on-site restaurant at Riad Kaiss by Anika?
Yes — restaurant.
What is Riad Kaiss by Anika best for?
Riad Kaiss by Anika is best for history-minded travellers wanting an authentically restored palace interior with full spa facilities, steps from Jemaa El Fna.
See live availability, prices and the property's own photos on our booking partner.