Morocco has long been a hotel destination — think riad courtyards in Marrakech or clifftop retreats on the Atlantic coast — but a recent roundup from Condé Nast Traveler makes the case for a different base: the private villa. Their editors picked 10 spacious properties across the country that suit families and groups of friends who want space and privacy without giving up the service of a proper hotel.
The logic is simple. With a villa you get room to spread out, your own pool and gardens, and often an in-house chef, housekeeping, and even security staff. For a group trip, that can work out both calmer and more flexible than booking several hotel rooms, and you escape the lobby crowds entirely. Many of the properties sit just outside Marrakech, so you can plunge into the medina's souks by day and retreat to a quiet base with views of the Atlas Mountains in the evening.
The coastal angle is well covered too. Two of the standout picks are in Essaouira, the laid-back Atlantic port town a few hours west of Marrakech: a rustic farmhouse with sea views for those chasing scenery, and a breezy, minimalist villa that the editors flag as the best-value option of the list. Back in Marrakech, a large riad with a garden gets the nod for bigger groups. Each listing was vetted on Airbnb Superhost or Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, and previous guest reviews, so the picks lean on real stays rather than press photos.
The villa approach also suits Morocco's range of trips. The country works year-round — city breaks in Marrakech, hiking in the Atlas, coastal escapes in Essaouira — and having a single private base with staff makes it easy to mix those in one itinerary. Hire a car or a driver, do day trips, and come back to a pool instead of fighting for sun loungers.
Who is this for? Groups of friends splitting costs, multigenerational families who need communal space, and anyone planning a longer stay who'd rather have a kitchen and a garden than a minibar. If you're travelling solo or as a couple, a riad hotel probably still makes more sense — the villa economics only really work when you fill the rooms. But for six or more people, the numbers start looking genuinely appealing compared to booking three or four hotel rooms in high season. Full details of all 10 properties are in the original feature.
