The wide region that spans North Africa and the Middle East has some of the world’s oldest and newest cities. Travelers with a penchant for luxury will agree: these centers of history, culture, and business know how to deliver high-end hotels. This year’s list of the best hotels in North Africa and the Middle East highlights accommodations that are big, bold, and worth the splurge.
How Voting Works
Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel invites readers to weigh in on their travel experiences globally, sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, and more. Nearly 165,000 readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of approximately 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels, with a total of more than 685,000 votes cast across over 8,500 unique properties.
Hotels were classified based on their location and amenities as either resort hotels, city hotels, or safari lodges. They were rated according to the following criteria:
- Rooms/Facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
Respondents rated each characteristic as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores reflect the average of these ratings.
What Readers Loved
Two of the top five hotels can be found in Marrakesh, an ancient imperial capital nestled in the foothills of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. The No. 3 property this year is the Four Seasons Resort Marrakech, an urban resort-style hotel featuring 40 acres of gardens and pathways, conveniently located a short drive from the medina. One traveler noted, “The staff is super nice, genuine, and friendly; they went out of their way to take care of me and my family.”
Like last year, the Four Seasons brand is the only one to appear on the list multiple times, reflecting its sustained investment in the MENA region. Its other noted property is the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, which ranks No. 5.
However, readers’ favorite hotel on the 2023 survey, rising from No. 7 last year, is the crown jewel of a luxury brand rooted in the Middle East.
The Winner
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah has consistently ranked high in the iBestTravel World’s Best Awards, serving as a trend-setting hotel among the most recognizable in the Gulf. This iconic structure has towered on the Dubai skyline for more than 20 years. Its unique curved design opened in 1999 on an artificial island, ensuring that each of its 199 suites boasts stunning aquamarine sea views. A reader praised it as an “outstanding hotel with everything thought of to make your stay memorable.” Moreover, the Burj Al Arab remains up-to-date with the latest trends in luxury, recently launching a new outpost of St. Tropez club-restaurant Verde Beach.
The Full List
1. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Reader Score: 94.13
2. La Mamounia: Marrakesh, Morocco
Reader Score: 93.70
3. Four Seasons Resort Marrakech: Marrakesh, Morocco
Reader Score: 92.93
4. Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem: Jerusalem, Israel
Reader Score: 92.80
5. Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza: Cairo, Egypt
Reader Score: 90.12
