Editor's Choice: Riads

Riads are traditional Moroccan mudbrick courtyard houses, but the term has also come to mean guest houses. Authentic converted riads are usually found in medinas (old towns) of large cities, especially Marrakech. Most riads offer intimate, bed & breakfast accommodation, sometimes with additional services such as hammams (steam baths), cooking classes and excursions. Not all riad rooms offer air conditioning in summer and heat in winter, so check before you book.

Morocco has an ambitious plan to accommodate 10 million tourists annually by 2010, which means a lot of new hotels are in the works. There is already quite a wide choice of accommodation in all sizeable centres. The upper end of the market is represented by internationally known hotels in most main towns, notably Fes, Marrakech and Tangier.

Grading: Hotels are rated from 1 to 5 stars, with grade inflation of about one star over similar European properties.

Self-catering apartments are available in Agadir, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech and Tangier. Full details are available from the Moroccan National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses).

There are established campsites with good facilities in many parts of Morocco. Full details are available in a brochure from the National Tourist Office.

There are hostels in Asni, Azrou, Casablanca, Fes, Marakesh, Meknes and Rabat; most cater exclusively to student groups. There is an International Youth Hostel at 6 Place Abmed Al Bidaoui, Ville Ancienne, Casablanca (tel: (22) 220 551).

Fédération Nationale de l'Industrie Hôtelière
320 Boulevard Zerktouni, Casablanca 20000, Morocco
Tel: (22) 267 313/4.
Website: www.fnih.ma

Fédération Royale Marocaine des Auberges de Jeunesse
BP 15998, Casa Principale, Parc de la Ligue Arabe, Casablanca 21000, Morocco
Tel: (22) 470 952.