Riad azra Marrakech

Four courtyards deep in Marrakech's medina, Riad Azra sits along Derb Ben Aissa off Derb Dabachi, close enough to the souks that the call to prayer from a nearby mosque marks the hours. Its facade gives nothing away — typical riad design, all ornament turned inward toward a tiled patio and plunge pool.

Rooms wrap the courtyard on two floors, cooled by the water below rather than heavy air conditioning. Staff will walk guests out to Jemaa el-Fnaa, an eight-minute route through alleys too narrow for taxis, then leave them to find their own way back.