I stayed at a luxurious Moroccan hotel with my 2 kids for only $280 a night, and we felt totally pampered

AnaYela is a converted Moroccan riad that's now a boutique hotel. Jamie Davis Smith

• Raids, historical mansions or palaces, have become popular resort spots in Morocco.
• I booked a three-night stay for me and my two kids at the AnaYela riad for $280 a night.

When I travel, I often seek out accommodations that help immerse me in the local culture.

While planning a trip to Morocco, I quickly discovered the country is filled with riads — lavish homes or palaces that once belonged to the elites of society and have now reopened as boutique hotels.

Each riad bears the mark of its owner, but they all feature multiple stories centered around a courtyard, often with a pool in the middle.

I splurged and booked my family a room at AnaYela for about $280 a night. Here's what it was like.