El Fenn Hotel, Restaurant and Rooftop Bar
Hotel · Marrakech ·
Art-filled riad hotel with luxurious rooms, pools, spa, and rooftop
Information
Derb Moulay Abdullah Ben Hezzian, 2, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco Get directions
Art-filled riad hotel with luxurious rooms, pools, spa, and rooftop
Derb Moulay Abdullah Ben Hezzian, 2, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco Get directions
"It’s easy to forget what a game-changer this place was when it opened two decades ago on the edge of the medina with just six jewel-toned bedrooms, plumes of bougainvillea, and a rooftop that felt like a fabulous house party, stitching itself into the fabric of the Red City with color-clashing walls, lounges of thickly woven Berber and velvet fabrics, Moorish keyhole archways, and orange trees. Moving with the times, co-owner Vanessa Branson gradually bought up neighboring riads to create a wondrous labyrinth of 13 interconnected buildings, three pools, and 41 bedrooms in blush pinks, mustards, and acid yellows; some have zellige tiles, others hand-stitched camel leather floors and carved wooden ceilings, all offset with pop art and bright contemporary installations, with sun-dappled courtyards leading to a new wood-carved annex that references traditional Arabic motifs in its latticework and stained-glass windows. I recently stayed in one of the “cozy” rooms behind an ornate cedar door, where a contemporary dot painting by Moroccan artist Abdelmalek Berhiss hangs on a hand-plastered tadelakt wall and a timeworn iridescent mother-of-pearl chandelier dangles above the bed; it’s nearly impossible to tell old from new thanks to local artisanship, natural fabrics, and upcycled furniture. The open-air, guest-only Colonnade Café, dotted with olive trees, and a modern spiral staircase connecting the ground-floor boutique with the sprawling spruced-up rooftop keep the mood contemporary, yet amid the rooftop’s pool, sunbeds, and pops of color, the old magic of Marrakech endures." - Lauren Burvill
"A boutique riad-style hotel close to a major square, with guest suites sitting below a large roof terrace that includes sundecks, hanging gardens, shaded dining areas and a swimming pool—offering an intimate, design-forward stay in a medina setting." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Since opening 20 years ago, El Fenn has been one of Marrakech’s most art-focused hotels, thanks to the exquisite taste and art collections of its owners, who include Vanessa Branson, Richard Branson’s sister. Over the years, the hotel has expanded to incorporate 13 interconnected riads, the most recent added in 2022 with ten new rooms featuring the signature El Fenn style—colorful tadelakt plaster walls, hand-crafted artisanal details, stained glass, and mid-century touches. The five interior courtyards each have their own personality with wandering tortoises, babbling fountains, cheery yellow parasols, and plenty of lounging areas. The rooftop, with its small, tiled swimming pool, is one of the loveliest spots in town for views of the Atlas Mountains and the neighboring Koutoubia Mosque’s towering minaret. It’s also a great spot for dinner, with friendly service, a convivial atmosphere, and a menu focusing on seasonal, local produce with dishes like fennel carpaccio and beetroot risotto with prawns and mussels." - Nicola Chilton
"It’s easy to forget what a game-changer El Fenn was when it opened two decades ago on the edge of the medina with just six jewel-toned bedrooms, plumes of bougainvillea, and a rooftop that felt like a fabulous house party. It stitched itself into the fabric of the Red City and redefined its aesthetic with color-clashing walls and lounges of thickly woven Berber and velvet fabrics, Moorish keyhole archways, and orange trees. Like the best hotels, it has moved—and expanded —with the times. Co-owner Vanessa Branson, founder of the Marrakech Biennale and a certified Marocophile, has gradually bought up the crumbling neighboring riads to create a wondrous labyrinth of 13 interconnected buildings, three pools, and 41 bedrooms in blush pinks, mustards, and acid yellows. Some have zellige tiles, others hand-stitched camel leather floors and carved wooden ceilings, all offset with pop art and bright contemporary installations. Various sun-dappled courtyards lead to a new wood-carved annex, which references traditional Arabic motifs in the latticework and stained-glass windows. I recently stayed in one of the “cozy” rooms, behind an ornate cedar door. On a hand-plastered traditional tadelakt wall hangs a contemporary dot painting by Moroccan artist Abdelmalek Berhiss, while a timeworn mother-of-pearl iridescent chandelier dangles above the bed. It’s nearly impossible to tell old from new, a result of using local artisans, natural fabrics, and upcycled furniture. The open-air, guest-only Colonnade Café is dotted with olive trees; its modern spiral staircase, which connects the ground-floor boutique with the sprawling spruced-up rooftop, is a monument to Marrakech’s contemporary mood. Yet amid the rooftop’s pool, sunbeds, and pops of color, the old magic of Marrakech endures. —Chloe Sachdev"
"For the fashion set, this playfully designed riad stands out." - Liam Hess
