Exuding a sense of history and lavish authenticity, La Sultana in Marrakech offers a privileged world of luxurious elegance and enduring beauty that dazzles at every turn.
With a privileged setting, La Sultana Marrakech is located in the medina – the historic Old Town of Marrakech – at the entrance to the Imperial City’s walls next to the Royal Palace and the Bahia Palace, and near the intoxicatingly exuberant Djemma-el-Fna Square.
A wonderfully peaceful retreat in the heart of Marrakech, the hotel’s languorous atmosphere predominates with hanging gardens, colourful tiled fountains, peaceful courtyards, beautiful flower-filled patios, shady corners and gorgeous palm and orange trees.
The luxury boutique hotel in Marrakech is formed from five original riads, joined together and lovingly restored, which means plenty of hidden nooks and crannies just waiting to be explored.
La Sultana seamlessly merges history and luxury: each riad is intricately and richly decorated to signify various historic periods and match a certain theme, resulting in a sprawling 28-room boutique hotel that is full of flair and eclectic charm.
Offering an incomparable atmosphere of classy sophistication that respects the hotel’s heritage, La Sultana is stunningly decorated, ornately detailed, with a definite flair for the dramatic, from crimson-coloured bedroom walls to the massive and decadent Romanesque spa. It is adorned with a mix of bespoke furnishings, beautiful Moroccan and other African artefacts, as well as carefully chosen objets d’art that underscore an exceptional attention to detail.
The boutique hotel enjoys an array of facilities: two restaurants – one around the leafy courtyard and one upstairs on the terrace – a cookery school, gym, solarium with sun beds, and a pink-hued spa with bathing pools set amidst a colonnaded hammam. With over 100 staff members, the level of service is impeccable.
From the panoramic rooftop terrace, enjoy views of the massive city walls, dating from the 12th century, and an impressive view down into the 16th-century Saadian Tombs, with the snow-topped Atlas Mountains forming a stunning backdrop.
Opulence incarnate, La Sultana is one of the best luxury hideaways in the Kasbah from which to soak in the ambience and the cultural richness of Marrakech.
A rich architectural heritage
La Sultana Marrakech combines a luxurious atmosphere and sophisticated elegance spread across the five historic, inter-connected riads, with their various architectural styles and influences, located in a magnificently thought-out space where everything harmonises.
Boasting a wealth of embellishments and historic details, each riad has been painstakingly restored, incorporating 10 centuries of history from the Almohad, Saadian and Alaouite dynasties.
La Sultana fully acknowledges the property’s significance, culturally and historically, as well as the identity of the surrounding neighbourhood. It has done its outmost to respect, integrate and celebrate the splendour of its historic past.
The luxury boutique hotel has been created to demonstrate respect for, and integrate and honour its history. It fully recognises its duty to the past – to acknowledge the culture it represents and the neighbourhood in which it is located.
The immaculate restoration of the group of riads, which make up the former residence of the caid (a chief/judge), was finished to exacting standards that used traditional methods as well as sophisticated new techniques.
It was carried out in collaboration with the Department of Historic Monuments in order to preserve the authenticity of this heritage residence. The most respected master craftsmen in Morocco restored the woodwork, the Zellige tiles and the plasterwork in order to create a luxury hotel whilst honouring the building’s traditional architecture.
The decorative elements that unfold from one riad to the next show off its taste for flamboyance, as well as the desire to achieve the most harmonious design.
Lavishly decorated with opulence and extravagant beauty
Sumptuously designed and eloquently appointed, La Sultana is noteworthy for its visual lavishness. Decorated in a style that represents the lush atmosphere of past dynasties and their heritage, and with many original features dating back hundreds of years, La Sultana retains the charm and elegance of a bygone era.
Lantern-lit corridors and staircases lead guests from one riad to the next, each with its own unique signature style and atmosphere. In one, guests will find a fountain scattered with rose petals, the next a jungle of palms, and in another a grand swimming pool flanked by wooden loungers. Each corner reveals inviting seating areas, velvet sofas and little unexpected rooms and places to stay a moment, to eat or to relax. Every piece of architecture is unique, yet the five riads all flow together with perfection.
Designed with precision and passion, the colours of the shimmering silks blend magically with the elaborate metalwork, the carved wood, the patina of the antiques, the gentle sparkle of the chandeliers, in a manner that reflects the nobility of the materials.
The pale pink Riad Scheherazade oozes a rich and decadent African feel. Its arches are bejewelled with intricate stucco work, its walls adorned with fine plasterwork and columns are ornamented with traditional Zellige tiles typical of the Saadian era. The classic furniture exudes timeless exquisiteness and meticulous craftsmanship. The museum-like decor displays stunning columns and arches, carved woodwork, fine paintings, hand-picked antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces that proudly presents African design. The beauty of this riad is further enhanced by a verdant courtyard, which is reminiscent of the lush African savannah.
The ochre-hued brick-lined Riad Almohad echoes the royal granary that once stood here when the Almohad Dynasty ruled. The elaborate Mudejar brickwork in earthy tones and ornamental lighting adorning its ceilings provide a wonderful sense of texture and warmth. Other architectural highlights include sculpted alcoves, imposing horseshoe arches and symmetrical white columns. This riad opens up on to a tranquil swimming pool set under a skylight, in a patio, hemmed in by colonnades, palm, banana and sica trees. High brick walls covered with Virginia creeper frame this central space which hosts breakfast by day and fine dining by night, during the winter.
The Old World charm of imperial Fez Riad is reflected in Riad Saadia, which takes its name from the historic Saadian tombs. The warm colour palette, the omnipresence of cedar wood balustrades and Zellige tiles, detailed ceilings and bright-hued mosaic-tiled floor all evoke a feeling of beauty, distinction and timelessness.
Riad Bahia paints a picture of serenity and restraint with its brilliant white sculpted stucco walls and columns contrasted by dark-coloured accents. The minimalistic decor is offset by meticulously crafted woodwork and gorgeous multi-coloured lanterns. Its centre patio is full of white polished plaster surfaces, from its floor to its columns, and walls filigreed with stucco, with elements of hand-carved wood windows, ceilings and balustrades.
Finally, Riad Sabah, is comprised of the fiery red hues of brickwork, juxtaposed with intense Majorelle blue accents.
With the elegance of its design reflecting its rich historical past, La Sultana is a world unto itself among the luxury hotels in Marrakech.
Rooms and suites evoke the Morocco of ancient dynasties and exotic splendour
The rooms and suites are a wonder to behold, exquisitely styled with flair and panache at great expense.
The luxury boutique hotel in Marrakech features a sumptuous collection of 28 rooms and suites, each a standout, thanks to its individual decor, unique features and consummate craftsmanship.
With an incredible blend of African and Moroccan splendour, the rooms evoke the elegance and beauty of yesteryear. Richly adorned with fine finishes, artisanal pieces, distinctive features and deeply textured fabrics, they have an abundance of character and individuality. Precious materials such as marble, wood, tadelakt, copper and brass give the rooms a feeling of refinement and class.
Indulgent detailing and embellishments may include sculpted ceilings, atmospheric fireplaces, jewel-coloured stained glass, bespoke furniture, unusual antiques, decorative paintings, extravagantly beaded glass lanterns, intricately crafted cedar wood shutters, dramatically carved archways and enormous bolted wooden doors.
Bathrooms may include gold hammered-metal basins, decadent baths and vaulted ceilings.
A select number of suites have private balconies or terraces, which provide a peaceful respite.
The turn-down service includes fresh towels in the bathroom, a cotton embroidered floor mat placed by the bed with Moroccan leather slippers, a treat of juicy stuffed dates left on the bed, and details of the breakfast options for in-suite dining. Modern comforts include soundproofing, air conditioning and central heating, as well as plenty of soaps, shampoos and bath salts.
There are six room categories, from large Prestige Deluxe double rooms to the generously proportioned Exclusive Suite.
The 100m² Exclusive Suite boasts a separate living room with fireplace and desk. It also features his-and-hers bathrooms and a Jacuzzi bath. It is fitted with its own private terrace arranged as an outdoor living room with a view of the Riad Bahia.
Enriching, sensual culinary experiences of flavours, ingredients and ambiance
The dining options leave guests spoiled for choice: does one dine in the lantern-lit courtyard, or up on the rooftop terrace overlooking the city? Alternatively, food may be brought to guests wherever they are in the mood to eat. Whether lazing on the enormous rooftop terrace or tucked away with a book in one of the little alcoves off the courtyards, enjoy everything from Moroccan mint tea to a delicious full meal.
Breakfast is a work of art. On the roof terrace each morning during summer, guests may savour the hotel´s sumptuous breakfast buffet which offers an extensive array of smoothies, fresh juices, home-made granola, seasonal fruits, chutneys, cheeses, nuts, spiced dried fruits, fresh breads and pastries. Do not miss the home-made date and orange blossom jam, the sensational home-made yoghurt, the traditional Berber pancakes, the polenta breads with rich Atlas honey and the almond pastries – all irresistible and super-delicious. There are European and international breakfast options too.
The menus of the two restaurants – La Table du Souk and La Table de la Sultana – embrace the roots of Moroccan cuisine with ingredients that include Taliouine saffron, Zerradoune salt, Alnif cumin, Souss-Massa-Draa and Haouz Tensift argan. The menus are influenced by the restaurants’ network of small local producers. The menus change according to seasonal availability, incorporating wholesome and fresh vegetables purchased locally or hand-picked from La Sultana Oualidia’s own organic garden. The restaurants provide highly sustainable and ethically sourced fish and meat, as well as vegetarian options. Breads and pastries are home-made.
La Table du Souk, the roof terrace restaurant with its comfortable soft green banquettes, green floor tiles and Zellige-patterned tables, is a great location for lunch during summer. Located on the rooftop of Riad Bahia, La Table du Souk offers a great view of the historical monuments, the medina, Moulay El Yazid Mosque and the Atlas Mountains. If the sun becomes too much, the staff will even provide straw hats.
For lunch, La Table du Souk offers two cuisine choices, both focusing on seasonality, freshness and simplicity – From the Market and Moroccan Street Food.
The From the Market menu lets diners savour terroir cuisine, rich in flavours and based on ingredients found at the market. The Street Food menu offers diners the authenticity, flavours and sensations of Morocco’s traditional street cooking, with a modern twist. The menu offers many options for a light al fresco lunch, including seasonal Moroccan salads to share, vegetarian couscous and delicious plates of fish and shellfish, just caught on the grill.
In the afternoon, unwind with mint tea and Moroccan pastries by the pool, and when early evening comes, enjoy an Yves Saint Laurent in Majorelle cocktail on the lantern-lit terrace before dinner.
For fine dining, La Table de La Sultana is one of the city’s most renowned spots. It is set in an elegant atmosphere around the Almohad patio and its elegant brick vaults during winter, and on the rooftop overlooking the vibrant city and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the summer.
La Table de La Sultana invites diners to partake in delicious gourmet moments, offering innovative cuisine to celebrate culinary journeys around two seasonal tasting menus. One is inspired by classic French cuisine and the other exalted by fine Moroccan cuisine. There is also an à la carte choice of local and international dishes. Traditional lamb couscous with seven vegetables, braised beef with toasted almonds, tagine of Oualidia mussels, Berber tagine with lamb from the Ourika Valley and vegetables, and camel kebab may be part of the gastronomic extravaganza on La Sultana’s menu.
The wine list blends beautiful references of French wines with New World varietals, including Moroccan wines, creating a list that is in unison with the restaurants’ culinary delights.
The hotel also offers plenty of lovely hangouts and places for a romantic candlelit dinner for two.
When the time comes for a cocktail, a range of al fresco coves offer respite and privacy, or alternatively the wood-panelled lounge bar makes for a welcoming retreat. Overlooking the rooftops of the medina, the roof terrace also boasts a bar and is a wonderful setting for sunset cocktails or night-time drinks. Night-time is magical in Marrakech. In winter months the evenings are cooler, but with the Sultana staff bringing blankets, guests can still enjoy the stars and velvet navy skies.
For guests who have an interest in gastronomy, La Sultana shares its knowledge through a variety of dishes that are essential in understanding the cuisine of Morocco. Cooking classes are offered on the outdoor terraces and are great places to learn the art of mixing spices in the Moroccan fashion. Start off with the mint tea ritual, then be guided every step of the way to make the best tagine and then continue on to La Table du Souk to taste what has been created.
Spa perfection
Morocco does spas well, but the spa at La Sultana Marrakech really takes wellness to the next level.
A tranquil gem in a serene and sumptuous environment, the wellness area features indulgent spa treatments, magnificent facilities and the most gracious expert service. A sense of well-being is immediate as soon as one walks through the doors.
The space is jaw-droppingly stunning, combining extreme aesthetic pleasure with lavish decor. It boasts an elegant and calming colour palette of jade green, oxidised copper and terracotta, whilst the spa area is punctuated with pillars that arise from an ancient basin and flourish in vaults and domes.
The jewel in the crown is the turquoise pool, letting visitors be immersed in an immensely beautiful aquatic atmosphere. It is an oasis in green jade under a stone vaulted ceiling, surrounded by crimson marble and flanked by ornate marble columns. The light from the wrought-iron lanterns plays off the water, giving a magical, almost spiritual feel.
The Spa of 400m² offers two traditional hammams, a Jacuzzi, sauna, beauty salon and hairdressing, as well as soundproofed treatment rooms for guests to enjoy head-to-toe pampering and age-old rituals. There is also an outdoor massage area as well as an outdoor heated swimming pool.
Step into a peaceful, sensuous world – the spa at La Sultana also offers a plethora of treatments to choose from and uses products by Marokissime and Nectarome, along with the best Moroccan organic plants and essential oils for beauty treatments and body scrubs. From almonds to dates, from prickly pears to Damask roses, the alchemist-like therapists make the most of Morocco’s natural treasures.
Try the variety of treatments available at Spa La Sultana – balneotherapy, Oriental Dream royal hammam, chromotherapy, Moroccan massages, candle massage or the signature La Sultana relaxing massage using ylang ylang, orange blossom or pure argan oil.
For those who know the Moroccan rituals, the hammam and its scrub is a must. Do not miss La Sultana’s complete experience of the traditional Moroccan hammam, with its black soap scrub with eucalyptus – pure bliss.
La Sultana Spa is the epitome of relaxation, rejuvenation and beauty.
The roof terrace is pure magic with postcard-perfect views
An oasis of calm in the heart of Marrakech, the roof terrace at La Sultana is a real highlight. Spanning the entire hotel, the vast terrace covers 1,500m² and is said to be one of the largest in the medina.
It is cleverly divided into different areas – a bar, an al fresco restaurant, a solarium with sun beds, a plunge pool and a massage gazebo.
The views from the terrace are spectacular. The vantage point offers a 360-degree view of the city. Small roof domes of neighbouring riads, majestic palms and exotic minaret towers stand against the Atlas Mountains. It is an extraordinary perspective on Marrakech, with snow-capped mountain peaks, the white stork colony, Saadian Tombs and even the Koutoubia Mosque. Look out over the roofs, hear the call to prayer, watch the storks and enjoy a drink in a magical atmosphere.
Pink-hued stone and palm trees give a classic Moroccan feel, whilst carved wooden canopies provide delightful shaded areas to sit.
In cooler months staff appear from nowhere to wrap guests in blankets, and in warmer weather sun loungers are artfully laid out with towels and fabulous Sultana straw hats.
Here is a secret place for medina’s lovers to enjoy delicious lunch served in elegant and relaxed ambience.
Indulge in exquisite amenities
Without a doubt, La Sultana is special, as it manages to combine the intimacy and authenticity of a medina riad mansion house with all the plush facilities and services of an upscale boutique hotel in Marrakech.
The lantern-lined red carpet toward the majestic gilded doors sets the scene for a traditional welcome, with mint tea and Moroccan pastries offered in the atmospheric reception area or by the pool. The ambient sounds of the traditional oud permeate the palatial building.
Guests looking to pass quiet afternoon hours at the hotel may lounge in one of the drawing rooms, the library, the elegant billiard room or in the gazebo.
The tranquil swimming pool, located in the patio with shady colonnades and semi-tropical vegetation, offers the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.
The games room and gym are on the terrace, housed in classic Moroccan-style tented rooms.
La Sultana is famed for its service excellence – its staff ranks among the city’s finest. With a constant yet discreet presence, the genuinely friendly and warm staff are keen to go the extra mile for guests. Nothing is too much trouble.
Whether the hotel’s Clefs d’Or Hotel Concierge and his team are making a restaurant recommendation, booking a spa treatment or planning an excursion, they will help guests experience their perfect stay in Marrakech.
The hotel is sought after for exclusive events, since its scenic, historical and magnificent setting gives an atmospheric, elegant and very luxurious character to all the special events that elect it as their backdrop.
Extravagant yet authentic, beautiful yet intimate, La Sultana Marrakech is ideal for special weddings, celebrations and corporate retreats. Here, events are out of this world and full of memorable experiences.
Unforgettable experiences
Marrakech – an incredibly beautiful and extraordinary environment – is surrounded by ample opportunities for exploration and discovery. La Sultana offers unique, life-enriching experiences that are tailor-made for enjoying the city to its fullest.
