The most beautiful places to sleep in (near) Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is an 18th century fortified town in the west of Morocco with a bustling medina, wide sandy beaches and a harbour full of fresh fish. These are the most beautiful places to sleep in (near) Essaouira.
Essaouira is a city full of Arabic, Berber and European influences. You will notice this when you settle down at one of these places for a cup of coffee in Essaouira
You are doing yourself a favor by booking one of the two houses at Castles in the Sand. Dar Beida is the most famous: a traditional two-hundred-year-old 'dar' with four bedrooms around a courtyard. Seventeenth-century stone arches stand next to mid-century furniture and smooth, white-sculpted walls. Thanks to the thick walls, it stays cool without air conditioning. You can find the house at the back of the medina near Bab Doukkala, in a neighborhood where people mostly just live.
Dar Emma is the little sister: more colorful, more relaxed, modern bohemian. Two bedrooms spread over four bright floors, a fireplace for winter evenings, and a multi-level roof terrace where you watch the sun set into the sea. Two minutes from Place Moulay Hassan, the city walls, and the beach.
You rent both houses as a whole, with a minimum stay of three nights. And do so, because the value for money is exceptionally good for what you get.
Big dreams come true in a small-scale Riad. After years of loving Morocco, Titia and Dick opened their own in 2024 Riad Petite Reverie. Right in the middle of the old medina and less than five minutes from the beach and the souks. A cozy place with a beautiful interior (that Titia works as an interior stylist is certainly noticeable) full of rugs, cushions and olive green accents. The riad has four rooms that can accommodate eight adults and three children. All together on the mezzanine, or someone on the couch, there is room in any case. Hostess Meriym makes sure that everyone feels completely at home here. That is not entirely true, because at home you have to make your own breakfast and here you don't have to. Around noon Meriym's tasks are finished, but if you are lucky and ask nicely she will come back in the evening to prepare a delicious tagine.
Villa Baboucha is located in the Berber countryside, about two kilometers from Sidi Bouzama and a short half-hour drive from Essaouiara. An oasis of peace among the argan and olive trees. Just like at Riad Petite Rêverie, you will be well looked after and the local hosts will cook delicious meals. On request, fitness trainers and masseurs can even come by. Great, but not absolutely necessary. The swimming pool, which can be heated from October to April for an additional fee, is also good for your muscles and big enough to swim laps. The villa has six double rooms, all with their own bathroom. The more souls, the merrier. Extra children (and extra beds and cribs) are no problem.
Between the hills. about five minutes drive from the medina of Essaouira, lies The Garden of the Douars, A lovely hotel that despite having two swimming pools, two restaurants and a hammam does not feel massive at all. There are 19 rooms and six suites, divided over the main building and a number of annexes. If you want even more luxury or privacy, there are also six spacious villas in the 'garden', each with its own heated swimming pool. Furthermore, you can surf, play golf and cycle in the area. If you prefer to sit on a camel or a horse rather than on a bike, that is also possible. Just like following a traditional cooking workshop in L'Atelier, located in a former almond factory. At Le Jardin des Douars you will not be bored in any case.
A villa in a Berber village on the Atlantic coast overlooking the beach of Sidi Kaouki sounds good. A boutique hotel in such a villa owned by none other than Filippa Knutsson (yes, the Filippa K) and her husband Thomas Fourtané (an architect) sounds even better. After an architect friend introduced the couple to the area, it didn't take long for construction of Villa Laba was set in motion. Without haste, because most of the work was done by hand and in a traditional way. Together with Moha Kahouni – the architect in question, and the local Community Patience is a virtue, because there is now a beautiful villa with matching furnishings.
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