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Ancient Stone Archway Leading to Seaside View. Essaouira, Morocco. Photo Credit: Elodie Astier/ Pexels
Morocco has once again confirmed its position among the world’s top luxury tourism destinations. In the latest annual ranking of the Forbes Travel Guide 2026, the Kingdom stands out with an impressive number of distinguished hotels, with Marrakech leading the way.
Two Five-Star hotels, nine Four-Star properties, and four Recommended establishments highlight Morocco’s growing influence in the global high-end hospitality market.
A Highly Selective Global Ranking
Worldwide, the Forbes Travel Guide 2026 evaluated 2,421 hotels. Only:
- 343 earned the prestigious Five-Star rating
- 708 received Four-Star recognition
- 678 were listed as Recommended properties
In this highly competitive landscape, Morocco secured a total of 15 distinguished hotels, confirming the steady rise in quality and standards across its hospitality sector.
Marrakech: The Capital of Moroccan Luxury
Marrakech dominates the national ranking, reinforcing its reputation as Morocco’s luxury hospitality capital.
Five-Star Hotels in Marrakech
- Royal Mansour Marrakech
- Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech
The Five-Star distinction represents the highest level of excellence, recognizing exceptional service, personalized experiences, and meticulous attention to detail from booking to departure.
Four-Star Hotels in Marrakech
- Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech
- Four Seasons Resort Marrakech
- La Mamounia
- Park Hyatt Marrakech
Recommended Hotels in Marrakech
- Amanjena
- La Sultana Marrakech
- Selman Marrakech
Altogether, Marrakech accounts for nine of Morocco’s fifteen distinctions, confirming its strategic leadership in the premium tourism segment.
Rabat, Casablanca and Coastal Destinations Also Recognized
While Marrakech leads, other Moroccan cities are gaining recognition:
Four-Star Hotels
- Conrad Rabat Arzana
- Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr
- The Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar Es Salam
- Royal Mansour Hotel Casablanca
- La Sultana Oualidia
Recommended
- The St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda Bay
These distinctions demonstrate that luxury hospitality excellence is expanding beyond Marrakech to Rabat, Casablanca, Oualidia, and Tamuda Bay.
A Rigorous and Independent Methodology
Founded in 1958 as Mobil Travel Guide, the Forbes Travel Guide is the originator of the Five-Star rating system. Its inspectors conduct anonymous stays of at least two nights and evaluate properties based on up to 900 objective criteria.
While facilities and infrastructure are assessed, service quality remains the primary focus. Emotional experience, staff expertise, personalization, consistency, and even sustainability commitments are carefully examined. Importantly, no hotel can purchase its distinction — ratings are based solely on independent inspections.
A Strategic Asset for Morocco’s Tourism Image
Being featured in the Forbes Travel Guide ranking represents a powerful international credibility boost. For Morocco, these recognitions strengthen its positioning in the global luxury tourism market and reinforce its appeal to high-spending international travelers.
While Marrakech remains the driving force, the presence of Rabat, Casablanca, Oualidia, and Tamuda Bay illustrates the broader evolution of Morocco’s hospitality ecosystem, one that continues to rise in quality, ambition, and global influence.
