31 Moroccan Hotels Shine in Michelin's 2026 Global Selection
On September 18, 2026, the renowned Michelin Guide, an international publication specializing in gastronomic and hotel selections, celebrated the inclusion of 31 Moroccan hotels in its prestigious global rankings. Among these esteemed establishments are La Mamounia in Marrakech and Kasbah Tamadot in Asni, both retaining their elite status with three Keys. Notably, the Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa in Fez has made its debut in this distinguished list, earning its first Key, a significant recognition for the hotel.
Morocco proudly holds the second position in Africa for the number of awarded establishments, trailing only South Africa, which boasts 32 hotels. This is a remarkable achievement considering that the continental list features a total of 113 hotels, including 28 new distinctions and promotions. When examining the broader region encompassing the Middle East, Africa, and India, Michelin recognizes 189 Key hotels across eleven destinations. India leads with 47, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 25, and Morocco with its commendable 31 establishments.
The Continued Excellence of Moroccan Hospitality
The accolades for La Mamounia and Kasbah Tamadot affirm their status at the pinnacle of Michelin's hierarchy, which encompasses only 155 hotels worldwide in 2026. La Mamounia continues to be associated with historic luxury, while Kasbah Tamadot, owned by Virgin Limited Edition and located in the High Atlas mountains, proudly maintains its status among the nine establishments globally that have received three Keys.
In a significant development for the city of Fez, the Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa, a charming seven-room hotel set in a 19th-century palace, has been recognized as a new African address in the 2026 edition of Michelin, earning its first Key. This accolade is based on anonymous inspections evaluating various factors such as architecture, interior design, service quality, establishment personality, and the overall value for money.
This recognition holds particular significance as Morocco gears up for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. With an anticipated increase in international tourism, hotel accommodations will play a crucial role alongside airports, rail transport, road connections, and the overall hospitality capacity of host cities.
The Moroccan government has set an ambitious goal of attracting 26 million tourists by 2030. The 2023-2026 tourism roadmap outlines an initial target of 17.5 million visitors, generating 120 billion dirhams in foreign currency revenues and creating 200,000 new jobs by 2026. Key strategies include expanding air travel capacity, enhancing existing accommodation offerings, and developing new facilities.
Early indicators for 2026 suggest a robust growth trajectory for Moroccan tourism. Travel revenue reached 79.01 billion dirhams from January to July, exceeding the previous year’s figure by 9.37 billion, marking a 13.4% increase, outpacing the growth in arrivals during the same period. This trend highlights the potential of the high-end hotel segment to capitalize on rising tourist volumes.
Air traffic follows a similar upward trend, with 22.28 million passengers recorded by the end of July, of which 19.89 million were international travelers. Casablanca-Mohammed V Airport welcomed 6.95 million passengers, while Marrakech-Ménara followed closely with 6.41 million. These figures underscore the growing demand for accommodation linked to key urban and tourist hubs that will host significant international events at the decade's end.
Despite the recognition, it is essential to understand that the Michelin rankings are an editorial assessment of the hotel experience rather than a measure of capacity, investment, or visitor numbers. The Keys were awarded following anonymous inspections, and Michelin notes that "hoteliers are reinventing the stay experience through more immersive, personalized, and experiential concepts." The global selection now comprises 2,832 awarded establishments (2,020 with one Key, 657 with two, and 155 with three), spread across 79 destinations, following the addition of nearly 470 new addresses in 2026.
As reported by barlamane.com.
