Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Marrakech

There's a little bit of everything going on at the all-inclusive, five-pearl Pullman Marrakech Palmeraie Resort and Spa. The kids' club has an indoor playroom and outdoor playground with mini-golf and staffed activities to keep little ones busy all day. There's also an animal farm with an aviary and free-roaming peacocks, along with other docile animals. Kids can jump on pedal powered Go-Karts and large trampolines, and an outdoor sports area has tennis courts, volleyball, and a small soccer field.

Located just outside Marrakech's old city walls, a 15-minute drive south of the Medina's heart, the Sentido Kenzi Menara Palace is a serene, modern luxury hotel. It has all the facilities of a full-service resort, including lush grounds with several sports facilities, a palm-fringed pool, a spa with a traditional hammam, and there are four different gourmet bars/restaurants. The grounds are also home to a wide range of sports facilities, including clay tennis courts, a volleyball court, golf putting green, pétanque court, and more. The well-outfitted kids' club hosts organized activities for children throughout the day, so parents can have some alone time at the spa or by the pool.

The Four Seasons Marrakech is a sprawling 141-room luxury resort with two pools, a modern spa, and quick taxi access to the Medina and Souks. The hotel's low-key vibe is attractive to travelers, families, and brand loyalists who crave the pampered, secluded compound-like atmosphere that's still within reach (it not walking distance) of the city's attractions. There's a colorful Kids for All Seasons facility with supervised programs and Young Adult Center with gaming stations, foosball, and a media room.

The 236-room luxury Eden Andalou Hotel Aquapark & Spa is a family-friendly resort offering all-inclusive or room-only options, about a 15- to 20-minute drive to the medina. Grounds and common areas are exquisitely decorated in traditional Moroccan style with beautiful wood carvings, hand-painted embellishments, and ornate mosaics. There is an Olympic pool with a teak deck, and a serene indoor pool in the spa. Kids will enjoy the waterslides, playground, and arcade.

The Palmeraie Palace is a sprawling, self-contained village that comes with a plethora of kids' activities and plenty of pampering to indulge parents in between rounds of golf or games of tennis. Marble-decorated rooms are large and have a few Moroccan touches, but cracks in the infrastructure are hard to dismiss at a four-and-a-half pearl property. There's several themed restaurants, but they pretty much ignore the local cuisine. This resort is a golfers' paradise, and there's tons to entertain the kids, but travelers more interested in exploring the local culture will likely be lining up to get on the free shuttle into town.

The  Palais Imperial and its adjacent Marrakech Lounge and Spa were originally considered a single entity, but the two split in 2008, and each has its own entrance and a different look and feel to its rooms. That said, most common areas and amenities of this luxury property are shared and include a huge pool, multiple conference rooms, a variety of restaurants and bars, and plenty of family-friendly amenities. There's a kids' club, and indoor and outdoor playgrounds. Babysitting is available on request and the hotel lends strollers and car seats to families traveling with children.

Part of a regional chain, Kenzi Club Agdal Medina is an upscale Moroccan sanctuary flanked by 24 acres of olive trees, with the resort offering multiple restaurants and bars, four outdoor pools, a spa, sports center, and kids’ club. There are 314 large, contemporary guest rooms here with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and patios or terraces. The kids’ club is free to children ages 4 to 12 while a baby and teen club (for a fee) are also offered. The kids’ club farm is stocked with animals, a vegetable garden, playground, and kiddy pool, among other features.

The Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie caters to families desiring a taste of Moroccan culture and a lot of organized activity in an upscale, all-inclusive setting. Located in a quiet area about 15 minutes' drive from the center of Marrakech, the resort has 360 modern, air-conditioned guest rooms with private terraces and flat-screen TVs. There are two pools, including one with a sandy deck, and another that's smaller and somewhat secluded. A kids' club and organized sports keep everyone busy, though English-speaking guests have found it difficult to participate in the activities.

The 319-room upscale Eldorador Club Palmeraie is a family-oriented all-inclusive resort on 25 acres outside Marrakech. It's surrounded by palm and olive trees, lawns, and three swimming pools, including one for children. There are plenty of activities for young and old, including baby and kids' clubs, and trapeze classes, soccer, tennis, water polo, and more.

This all-inclusive, self-contained resort with a massive water park is designed for families with young children. Be aware, though, that the water park, a seemingly endless expanse of giant waterslides and pools, is not heated and cannot be used in the colder months. Food and beverages are included in the room rates, but the quality, aside from the pizza and French fries, is at best uneven. Guest rooms come with small balconies or patios -- a nice touch -- and there are larger family-style rooms available, though all lack Moroccan character