The dunes of Merzouga, in the Moroccan Sahara
The dunes of Merzouga, in the Moroccan Sahara · Photo Frida Aguilar Estrada / Unsplash
Guide · Morocco

Heated pools in Morocco: swim without the shivers

In Morocco, sunshine isn't always enough. From November to March, nights are cool in Marrakech, Fez and Ouarzazate, and the water in an unheated pool soon turns cold. On the Atlantic coast, from Essaouira to Dakhla, it's the wind that takes the warmth out of a swim. City by city, here are the riads, hotels and rentals with a genuinely heated pool, every one rated at least 8/10 by travellers.

114places with a heated pool
9destinations, out of 10 researched
30 °Cwarmest advertised water

Choose your destination

Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.

How I check

The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.

Confirmed by guests

Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.

Confirmed by a reviewer

A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.

Advertised only

The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.

Indoor pool

Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.

Places I left out

I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.

PlaceWhat the sources sayRatingReason
Fairmont Tazi Palace · TangierMain pool and spa pool, heating not stated9,0/10Heating not confirmed
Riad Ksar Ighnda (Aït Ben Haddou) · OuarzazateOutdoor pool, heating not stated8,7/10Heating not confirmed
Fairmont Taghazout Bay · TaghazoutOnly one heated pool, small and very busy out of season—Mixed reviews
Dakhla Club Hotel & Spa · DakhlaOutdoor pool, heating not stated8,2/10Heating not confirmed
Le Berbère Palace · OuarzazateLarge outdoor pool, heating not confirmed8,6/10Heating not confirmed
Flower Town Hotel & Spa · RabatIndoor pool, but one guest says the heating needs checking3,5/5Rating below 8/10
Essaouira Lodge · EssaouiraOutdoor pool, heating not confirmed8,2/10Heating not confirmed
Dakhla South Bay · DakhlaOutdoor pool, heating not stated9,2/10Heating not confirmed
Mandarin Oriental Marrakech · MarrakechSome guests find the pool water too cold; the pool scores only 5/10.9,1/10Mixed reviews: water found too cold
TUI BLUE Medina Gardens · MarrakechPools advertised as heated depending on the season, but some guests found them chilly in October.9,2/10Mixed reviews: water found cool
Hotel Riu Tikida Palmeraie · MarrakechHeated pool and indoor pool advertised.7,8/10Rating below 8/10
Palmeraie Palace (Rotana) · MarrakechIndoor pool; mixed reviews on the condition and temperature of the pools.7,2/10Rating below 8/10
Radisson Blu Marrakech, Carré Eden · MarrakechOutdoor pool high up; no heating advertised, pool rated 2/10.8,3/10Heating not confirmed
Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort · AgadirA guest who stayed in mid-April states that the pools are not heated and were chilly.8,2/10Pools not heated, according to a guest
Paradis Plage Surf Yoga & Spa · TaghazoutA guest who stayed in February found the “heated” pool barely lukewarm, to the point of being unable to swim in it.8,7/10Water colder than advertised
Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa · EssaouiraHeated indoor pool at the spa (paid access) according to Oyster, but the guest rating remains low.6,9/10Rating below 8/10
Palais Medina Riad Resort · FezIndoor pool, outdoor pool and jacuzzi7,9/10Rating below 8/10
Palais Shéhérazade & Spa · FezIndoor pool and outdoor pool7,7/10Rating below 8/10
Zalagh Parc Palace · FezThree pools, including one indoor pool6,9/10Rating below 8/10
Hotel & Spa Dar Bensouda · FezSmall pool in the patio, advertised as not heated9/10Pool not heated
Hotel Sahrai · FezOutdoor infinity pool and jacuzzi at the spa, heating not stated9,2/10Heating not confirmed
Hotel Rabat · RabatIndoor pool and hot tub3/5Rating below 8/10
Villa Mandarine · RabatOutdoor pool, heating not stated9,1/10Heating not confirmed
Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche · CasablancaIndoor pool and jacuzzi at the spa7,4/10Rating below 8/10
Casablanca Le Lido Thalasso & Spa · CasablancaIndoor pool and jacuzzi5,8/10Rating below 8/10
New Hotel Piscine Wellness & Spa · CasablancaIndoor pool advertised as heated, jacuzzi6,2/10Rating below 8/10
Hôtel Club Val d'Anfa · CasablancaOutdoor pool; a few guests regret the lack of heating8,2/10Heating not confirmed
Grand Mogador Sea View · TangierIndoor pool and outdoor pool7,2/10Rating below 8/10
Mandarin Palace · TangierIndoor pool and jacuzzi5,8/10Rating below 8/10
Farah Tanger · TangierIndoor pool open all year round7,2/10Rating below 8/10
Kenzi Solazur · TangierOutdoor pool heated in cold weather, but closed from November to February7,7/10Rating below 8/10

Sources: TripAdvisor, MySunbed, Kayak, Logitravel, Momondo, Kayak, Kayak, Expedia, Kayak, Kayak, Oyster, Kayak, Kayak, Kayak, Fairmoove, Guide Michelin, Logitravel, Logitravel, Kayak, Kayak, Kayak, Logitravel, Kayak, Fairmont, Kayak, Expedia, Logitravel, HalalBooking, Avis Fairmont, Priceline, Kayak, Kayak, Kayak, Hoteles.com.