My second stay in Marrakech was at Mwasi Healing & Restoration Center, and it ended up being one of the most meaningful parts of my time in Morocco because of the space itself but also because of how I felt while I was there.

Mwasi is located outside of the central medina, which means it’s quieter, calmer, and removed from the noise of Marrakech. After several days in the medina, this was the perfect place to reset toward the end of my trip. It was peaceful and restorative in a way that’s hard to describe unless you experience it yourself.

The center was founded by Jalaal and Tanisha, and from the time you arrive, you can feel that Mwasi is something they truly care about. They are incredibly warm and welcoming and genuinely want to make sure you have a good stay. By the end of my stay, it felt less like I was at a hotel and more like I was staying in a home. Riads tend to have that feeling anyway.

I was also told that they had just begun accepting nightly stays and that I was one of the first guests to stay that way, which truly felt like such an honor.

The Rooms

The rooms at Mwasi are spacious and comfortable, and they include private balconies, which I loved. I would step out to catch the breeze, watch the sunset, sit quietly and read or take photos. The comfortable furniture, warm colors, authentic Moroccan touches all make it feel like you’re at home away from home, and that’s the feeling I always want from a hotel experience.

The Space

There are also multiple lounge areas and work spaces throughout the property, which makes this a great place if you work remotely or you just want quiet spaces to relax outside of your room. Again, it’s like your own home where you’re not confined to one area and you can flow through the space intuitively. With little pockets throughout the property, the space is conducive to working, journaling, or reading, but in the interest of wellness and restoration, it’s also an overall ideal space to just be still.

One of the most beautiful areas is the rooftop, which is incredibly quiet and serene. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunrise or sunset over Marrakech and they will soon have a bar on the rooftop as well.

There’s also a boutique on-site where Tanisha sells her beautiful clothing designs along with jewelry, caftans, and pieces from other designers. It’s a nicely curated small collection of beautiful things you actually want to take home. I was overwhelmed by shopping in the medina by the end of my trip, so it was such a joy to discover this on-site boutique that had many of the clothing items I was looking for.

*The pool with Black Honey Restaurant in view*

The Spa & Hammam Experience

Mwasi also has a full spa on-site, where you can book massages and a traditional hammam.

If you’ve never experienced a hammam before, it’s a traditional Moroccan cleansing ritual that involves steam, exfoliation, and deep cleansing of the skin. It’s both relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time, and it’s a big part of Moroccan wellness culture.

Having the spa on-site is convenient because you don’t have to go into the city to find a place. You can have a full spa day without ever leaving the property. Because Mwasi is centered around healing, restoration, and rest, the spa feels like an extension of the overall experience, not just an add-on service.

Your massage experience is provided Mr. Avery, who also manages the spa, and he is the warmest, kindest person you could meet.

The Restaurant

Mwasi has an on-site restaurant that serves meals throughout the day, which is another reason it is an ideal retreat space. You can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner right there on the property, and it’s especially nice on days when you don’t feel like going into the medina or after a long day of excursions. Being able to come back, sit down, and have a meal in a calm, familiar environment is something I’ve come to really appreciate in my travels.

The dining area is relaxed and quite beautiful. Meals are unhurried and communal in that the staff will often join you for them. Across the board, the overall energy of Mwasi is calm and centered on togetherness and wellness.

A Different Kind of Stay

What made Mwasi special to me was simply the feeling I had being there amongst other Black Americans like me.

This was a very spiritual experience for me because I was in a space created by Black people who care about rest, restoration, and intentional living for other people across the diaspora. Being in Morocco was already special, but being in a space where I felt culturally understood and genuinely cared for added a truly special and unique layer to the experience.

It’s the kind of place where I don’t think one or two nights is enough. This is a place I would, without a doubt, come back to and stay longer, just to have more time to fully settle into the experience.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Marrakech that is:

Quiet and outside the busy medina
Focused on wellness, rest, and restoration
Enhanced by an on-site spa and hammam experience
Equipped with a restaurant that provides meals throughout the day
Run by people who genuinely care about your experience

then Mwasi Healing & Restoration Center is a place I would absolutely recommend. Some places you visit, some places you just stay, and some places you experience. Mwasi is an experience.

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