Summertime in Marrakech can easily reach 107 degrees and on hot days like this, it is important to know where to find a relaxing sanctuary to cool down. Our Top 10 insiders guide to where to swim and lunch in Marrakech will take you into the tranquil gardens of Moroccan riads, boutique hotels, and country clubs, secluded from the busy city center and into the heart of the palmeraie, gateway of the Ourika Valley and across the Atlas Mountains.
1. Beldi Country Club
The Beldi Country Club covers 15 sprawling acres and is home to botanical plants, rose bushes, and olive trees. Located only 6 km from the center of Marrakech, it is the perfect escape from the summer heat. Beldi Country Club was designed to resemble a small village and act as a one-stop destination for active visitors interested in fine, local cuisine and recreational activities. Beldi has a traditional Moroccan hammam and spa, a tennis court, greenhouse with a reading area, and two stylish 35-meter swimming pools with views of the Atlas Mountains. For 390 MAD ($40 USD) you can have access to their pool and international three-course lunch menu. A Moroccan and Mediterranean menu rotates daily and is inspired by the four seasons. For those who want to stay the night, the Beldi Country Club offers traditionally furnished suites set among narrow green covered alleys and courtyards, all within a and riad like setting.
Address: 6, Dam Road, Cherifia, Marrakech Phone: + 212 5 24 38 39 50 / + 212 6 79 89 26 07
2. Le Palais Paysan
A pool day spent at the elegantly designed Le Palais Paysan is the true definition of lounging in luxury. Located twenty minutes from Marrakech on Route d’Amizmi, the property is set within an extraordinary landscape and is one that many refer to as an “oasis of peace. “Le Palais Paysan was designed by architect Philippe Taburiaux and blends contemporary lines with rustic, Moroccan traditional design.
The estate is set on 7 hectares of countryside and offers panoramic views of the stunning Atlas Mountains. On a clear day, it is possible to see the peak of Mount Toubkal which stands high at 4,167-meters. Visitors can enjoy the grand 30-meter long swimming pool adorned with grey glass mosaics. Select your shaded sunbed or deck chair with an umbrella, cocktail in hand, then ease into a relaxing afternoon. A day pass is offered at 350 MAD ($40 USD) with three-course lunch. The menu is a fusion of Moroccan and international cuisine with a variety of salads, grilled seafood, sandwiches, and homemade dessert offered.
Address: Douar Akrich Route d’Amizmiz, km 20; Phone: +212 529 801 638
3. Palais Lamrani
Palais Lamrani is an early twentieth-century charming, boutique riad steps away from the Marrakech. Located in the Moussine district of the medina, Lamrani offers 400 meters of a tranquil garden paradise. The property is reflective of an Andalusian garden. The interior courtyard has lush vegetation, patio tables covered arched canopies which make this space one that softly whispers “magic garden hideaway.” There is also a beautiful swimming pool on-site where visitors can spend an afternoon enjoying the idyllic setting. A pool pass is available for 100 MAD ($12 USD) or with lunch 50 MAD ($5 USD). The lunch menu offered is a variety of salads, pastillas, and tagines, available on a la carte basis. A special menu is a three-course meal for is available 250 MAD ($30 USD). For those interested in staying on for dinner, the upstairs terrace has a restaurant with 360 panoramic views of the Marrakech medina, the Koutoubia Mosque, with exceptional views of the Atlas Mountains.
Address: 63, Sidi el Yamani street Medina; Phone: + 212 5 24 38 50 51
4. Bab Ourika
A pool day at Kasbah Bab Ouirka starts with a drive outside of Marrakech, towards the snow-capped Atlas Mountains for a gateway from the red city. The Kasbah’s swimming pool offers 360-degree off the charts panoramic views of the Ourika Valley and it’s massive olive trees. The property’s grounds are surrounded by citrus and orange trees which stand out among the valley’s landscape. The sunset views are some of the best in the Marrakech-Safi region. Visitors can access the swimming pool with a reservation for a three-course lunch at 300 MAD ($30 USD). For those interested in full indulgence,, Bab Ouirka offers full hammam and spa services and treatments. Massages are performed outside with views of the valley.
Address: Ourika valley, Tnine Ourika Phone: Tel.+212 668 749 547 / +212 661 634 23
5. La Mamounia
La Mamounia, Morocco’s most prestigious hotel where Alfred Hitchcock wrote “The Birds” and visitors have the option to stay in the Winston Churchill Suite, offers a luxurious pool and full buffet lunch for those with a taste for luxury and history. Set on the edge of the Marrakech Medina La Mamounia is home to one of the most elegant, yet stately and lush gardens in the city. Its majestic gardens are the keeper of 700 orange trees, 5,000 rose bushes, 21 cactus species, 6 palm trees species, and 200 olive trees. The Art Deco architecture and painterly setting served as inspiration for icons such as Winston Churchill who spent many winters there along with Hollywood actors such as Salma Hayek, Orlando Bloom, Jennifer Aniston, Gwynneth Paltrow and Juliette Binoche to French and American filmmakers.
La Mamounia offers visitors a seasonal entrance pass by day that includes pool access, a Mediterranean lunch at The Pavillon de la Piscine restaurant, and an option between a traditional hammam experience or a classic La Mamounia Massage. The pass is available for 1600 MAD ($200 USD) from Monday to Saturday and 2000 MAD ($250 USD) on Sundays. Elegant dress code is required and advanced reservations are encouraged.
Address: Avenue Bab Jdid; Telephone: +212 5243-88600
6. The Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental, a luxurious five-star hotel, is 15 minutes from the city center of Marrakech and well situated 20 hectares of gardens. The gardens behold a variety of botanical plants, olive groves, bitter orange trees, cacti, and roses bushes. Guests have the option to purchase a day pass which includes lunch and pool access for 750 MAD ($80 USD). Visitors can lounge all day their your own private cabana with a refreshing fruit cocktail from the poolside bar and relish in the palm tree sanctuary.
Address: Route Golf Royal; Phone: 05242-98888
7. Jnane Tamsa
Jnane Tamsa is located just twenty minutes from Marrakech’s city center. The hotel’s property boasts five outdoor swimming pools, two of which are heated, and one which contains salt water. Visitors can access a pool and lunch package for 485 MAD ($55 USD) which includes a towel and a sunbed. All ingredients used in Jnane Tamsa’s cuisine are hand selected from their organic fruit and vegetable farm. The lunch menu is dependent on seasonable produce offers options such as quinoa taboulè with cucumber and mint, roasted chicken with herbs, fish papillote, chickpea sausages, zucchini tagliatelle with almonds, carrots and peas with garlic, and caramel cream and roasted pineapple.
Jnane Tamsa is also home to a botanical garden that has been cultivated by the owners, Meryanne Loum-Martin and her husband for the preceding twenty years. The garden has a variety of species and is surrounded by Atlas Mountain landscapes. Guided bike tours of the region are offered.
Address: Douar Abiad, Palmeraie; Phone: +212 524 32 84 84/ Phone: 05243-28484
8. Les Deux Tours
Les Deux Tours is a stylish boutique hotel, the romantic hideaway nestled within the Marrakech palmeraie. The property spans 3 hectares and features Andalusian gardens and fountains. Day time visitors can take advantage of a pool pass for 380 MAD ($42 USD), which includes a pool cabana chair and towel, and three-course lunch. Menu options range from a melon gazpacho with green lemon and ginger, to Thai vegetarian spring rolls with basil chili sauce, and grilled sea bass with beetroot risotto. For dessert try the strawberry ice-cold consommé and violet sorbet.
Les Deux Tours also offers poolside cocktails such as seasonal fruit juices or smoothies available from their la carte menu. Peach with lemon and verveine, pineapple and cinnamon, and orange juice with red berries and apricots are among visitor favorites. Day-time guests can also book a treatment in advance at the on-site wellness center, Les Bains.
Address: Douard Abiad Circuit Palmeraie BP 153; Phone: +212 524 32 95 25
9. Les Jardin de la Medina
Les Jardins de La Medina is a boutique property in the Kasbah region of the historic Marrakech medina that has the spirit of a riad and soul of a hotel. In 2018, Les Jardin became a proud member of the Green Key “Clef Verte” and is ranked as an eco-hotel. All staff is well trained to answer queries regarding ecotourism. Guests are welcomed to this 3000-meter property complete with gardens, a pool, a restaurant and travelers library. Daytime visitors can purchase a pool pass for 400 MAD ($40USD). The fee includes access to a lounge chair, towel, and two choices off the a la carte menu serving Moroccan and international cuisine. Visitors may also indulge in the hotel’s hammam and spa services. The spa is equipped with 2 hammams, 3 massage rooms and offers facial treatments, manicure, and pedicure services. In the evenings, the place to be is their rooftop terrace with cocktail in hand to see the sunset across the Marrakech sky with snowy Atlas peaks, a glimpse of the Agdal Gardens and the Koutoubia Mosque.
Address: 21 Derb Chtouka ; Phone: + ( 212) 5 24 381 851
10. La Maison Arabe Country Club
The legendary La Maison Arabe is well known for its medina location hotel decorated with traditional Moroccan craftsmanship using the finest materials. Few are familiar with its country club location. The summer is the best time to experience it. Just 15 minutes from the city center, La Maison has a Kasbah Secret Garden country club get away with a large swimming pool and a garden that has a mix of dry tolerant plants. Visitors can take a complimentary shuttle from the La Maison Arabe main property in town to the country club. A day pass to lounge and swim for the day cost 400 MAD ($40 USD) and includes pool entry, transportation to and from the La Maison country club, a sun bed, towel, and one drink. Lunch is offered on an a la carte basis.
Address: 1, Derb Assehbé Bab Doukkala; Tel: +212 5 24 38 70 10