Located a short drive from Essaouira’s medina, the beautiful Sofitel is a quiet retreat catering to golfers, couples, and families alike. It has all the luxury amenities expected of a five-pearl resort, including two wonderful outdoor pools, an 18-hole golf course, an upscale spa, and four restaurants serving excellent food. Rooms are colorful, stylish and high-tech, with furnished terraces offering panoramic views, luxurious bathrooms with separate soaking tubs, and free Wi-Fi. Villas are set in their own private gardens complete with heated pools and spacious wooden decks with daybeds. All units are luxurious and comfortable, though some pieces of furniture are starting to show some wear and tear. Travelers seeking something smaller and with more local character may want to consider Le Jardin des Douars.
Located a short drive from Essaouira’s medina, the beautiful Sofitel is a quiet retreat catering to golfers, couples, and families alike. It has all the luxury amenities expected of a five-pearl resort, including two wonderful outdoor pools, an 18-hole golf course, an upscale spa, and four restaurants serving excellent food. Rooms are colorful, stylish and high-tech, with furnished terraces offering panoramic views, luxurious bathrooms with separate soaking tubs, and free Wi-Fi. Villas are set in their own private gardens complete with heated pools and spacious wooden decks with daybeds. All units are luxurious and comfortable, though some pieces of furniture are starting to show some wear and tear. Travelers seeking something smaller and with more local character may want to consider Le Jardin des Douars.
This hotel oasis is situated literally in the middle of scrub-brush fields, about a 15-minute drive from Essaouira. In the setting of a North African ksar, or castle, it provides luxurious gardens filled with tall palms and other arid-landscape plants, interspersed with swaths of decorative tile, bricks, and local stones and surrounded by views of the brush-dotted hills. The 26 rooms, sans TV or Wi-Fi, are dark, handsome spaces set with traditional textiles and wood furniture, each with air-conditioning and a large shower; rooms above the Luxe level also have tubs, and many rooms have outdoor space. The hotel is welcoming of families and offers a pool with shallow end for children, as well as children’s menu; there is also an adult-only pool, a spa, and a traditional hammam.
This hotel oasis is situated literally in the middle of scrub-brush fields, about a 15-minute drive from Essaouira. In the setting of a North African ksar, or castle, it provides luxurious gardens filled with tall palms and other arid-landscape plants, interspersed with swaths of decorative tile, bricks, and local stones and surrounded by views of the brush-dotted hills. The 26 rooms, sans TV or Wi-Fi, are dark, handsome spaces set with traditional textiles and wood furniture, each with air-conditioning and a large shower; rooms above the Luxe level also have tubs, and many rooms have outdoor space. The hotel is welcoming of families and offers a pool with shallow end for children, as well as children’s menu; there is also an adult-only pool, a spa, and a traditional hammam.
Riad Chbanate is a small four-pearl, French-owned hotel housed in an 18th-century riad -- or traditional Moroccan mansion -- right in the Medina of Essaouira and about a five-minute walk from the beach. The eight individually decorated rooms here feature gorgeous, traditional decor and modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and minibars. Bathrooms are particularly spectacular, with deep marble soaking tubs. Dining options include a free breakfast of crepes, pastries, fruit, and eggs, and lunch and dinner can be cooked to order with prior notice. There's also a massage room on the property, and the riad can help guests arrange for off-site activities such as golfing, camel rides, and hammam visits. Travelers may want to also consider Riad Baoussala, which has its own hammam but doesn't have as central a location.
Riad Chbanate is a small four-pearl, French-owned hotel housed in an 18th-century riad -- or traditional Moroccan mansion -- right in the Medina of Essaouira and about a five-minute walk from the beach. The eight individually decorated rooms here feature gorgeous, traditional decor and modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and minibars. Bathrooms are particularly spectacular, with deep marble soaking tubs. Dining options include a free breakfast of crepes, pastries, fruit, and eggs, and lunch and dinner can be cooked to order with prior notice. There's also a massage room on the property, and the riad can help guests arrange for off-site activities such as golfing, camel rides, and hammam visits. Travelers may want to also consider Riad Baoussala, which has its own hammam but doesn't have as central a location.
This small, intimate hotel is located in the medina and filled with objets d’art. It is in the traditional riad style of a Moroccan home, and the nine individually decorated rooms are grouped on three floors around a courtyard, meaning they can be narrow. But they're filled with a pleasing, eclectic mix of traditional handicrafts, and include free Wi-Fi. Lower-floor rooms are darker, and it's three flights of stairs to the rooftop, which might pose a challenge to those with limited mobility. The riad is a six-minute walk from the city ramparts, which offer great views of the Atlantic, and a 10-minute walk from the beach; the surrounding cobblestone streets are lined with other riads, residences, and museums. The Riad Baladin nearby is a comparable option and has a hot tub.
This small, intimate hotel is located in the medina and filled with objets d’art. It is in the traditional riad style of a Moroccan home, and the nine individually decorated rooms are grouped on three floors around a courtyard, meaning they can be narrow. But they're filled with a pleasing, eclectic mix of traditional handicrafts, and include free Wi-Fi. Lower-floor rooms are darker, and it's three flights of stairs to the rooftop, which might pose a challenge to those with limited mobility. The riad is a six-minute walk from the city ramparts, which offer great views of the Atlantic, and a 10-minute walk from the beach; the surrounding cobblestone streets are lined with other riads, residences, and museums. The Riad Baladin nearby is a comparable option and has a hot tub.
Situated next to Essaouira's atmospheric medina and just two blocks from the ocean, Madada Mogador is an upscale boutique hotel that offers eight rooms in a traditional Moroccan riad (a building with an internal courtyard). Each room is serene, and has an elegant mix of earth tones and handsome wood furniture plus hammered brass sinks and locally crafted tadelakt tubs. Some rooms have fantastic views of the ocean and the adjacent landscaped gardens in Orson Welles Square. An atrium courtyard sits at the heart of this small property, and there is an excellent French-Moroccan restaurant on the ground floor, along with a cooking workshop focused on Moroccan cuisine.
Situated next to Essaouira's atmospheric medina and just two blocks from the ocean, Madada Mogador is an upscale boutique hotel that offers eight rooms in a traditional Moroccan riad (a building with an internal courtyard). Each room is serene, and has an elegant mix of earth tones and handsome wood furniture plus hammered brass sinks and locally crafted tadelakt tubs. Some rooms have fantastic views of the ocean and the adjacent landscaped gardens in Orson Welles Square. An atrium courtyard sits at the heart of this small property, and there is an excellent French-Moroccan restaurant on the ground floor, along with a cooking workshop focused on Moroccan cuisine.
This eight-room budget hotel provides basic, tidy rooms and a relaxed atmosphere for travelers seeking a cheap stay. The units themselves are bright and cheery, with striped traditional bedspreads, tile floors, and plenty of light. Situated a seven-minute walk from Tagharte beach, the colorful, artistically decorated property is run by a family who fosters a homey environment, and even offers free cooking classes. Bed bugs have been reported at the property, though infrequently.
This eight-room budget hotel provides basic, tidy rooms and a relaxed atmosphere for travelers seeking a cheap stay. The units themselves are bright and cheery, with striped traditional bedspreads, tile floors, and plenty of light. Situated a seven-minute walk from Tagharte beach, the colorful, artistically decorated property is run by a family who fosters a homey environment, and even offers free cooking classes. Bed bugs have been reported at the property, though infrequently.
Situated outside the city of Essaouira, the three-pearl Villa Daba is a simple property with pretty garden grounds that include a heated outdoor pool. Breezy tents full of cushions and quiet corners in the shade make for a setting that's great for couples, and a pet farm adds something for kids, though there isn't much do around the hotel. The restaurant has a limited menu, but the chef's seafood dishes are top-notch and free breakfast is included. The hotel's seven guest rooms are simple and airy, lacking amenities like TVs or mini-fridges, but all open to shared furnished terraces. Check out Riad Zahra for more central lodging within walking distance of the beach.
Situated outside the city of Essaouira, the three-pearl Villa Daba is a simple property with pretty garden grounds that include a heated outdoor pool. Breezy tents full of cushions and quiet corners in the shade make for a setting that's great for couples, and a pet farm adds something for kids, though there isn't much do around the hotel. The restaurant has a limited menu, but the chef's seafood dishes are top-notch and free breakfast is included. The hotel's seven guest rooms are simple and airy, lacking amenities like TVs or mini-fridges, but all open to shared furnished terraces. Check out Riad Zahra for more central lodging within walking distance of the beach.
Located in Essaouira about five minutes from Morocco's coast, the upper-middle-range 23-room Riad Zahra Mogador appeals to surfers and sun worshippers who want to be near the beach. Rooms are simple but bright, with firm mattresses topped with traditional linens, and some units have terraces. The riad looks more like a hotel than many of the country's older guest houses, with tile floors and wrought-iron bannisters. Two restaurants serve Moroccan, international and Asian dishes, and breakfast is included. The outdoor pool has an accompanying bar. Travelers looking for a riad in Essaouira may want to also consider the comparably priced Riad Baladin, which is a little closer to town and a bit more rustic.
Located in Essaouira about five minutes from Morocco's coast, the upper-middle-range 23-room Riad Zahra Mogador appeals to surfers and sun worshippers who want to be near the beach. Rooms are simple but bright, with firm mattresses topped with traditional linens, and some units have terraces. The riad looks more like a hotel than many of the country's older guest houses, with tile floors and wrought-iron bannisters. Two restaurants serve Moroccan, international and Asian dishes, and breakfast is included. The outdoor pool has an accompanying bar. Travelers looking for a riad in Essaouira may want to also consider the comparably priced Riad Baladin, which is a little closer to town and a bit more rustic.
The Atlas Essaouira & Spa is an upscale property across the street from the beach and a 20-minute walk to the tourist-friendly old city. A modern, sophisticated choice for travelers seeking a mix of nature and culture, the property offers a large outdoor pool, three international restaurants, and a full-service spa with hammam. The 156 guest rooms are chic and serene, with minibars and safes, while suites with ocean-view balconies are also available. The well-kept grounds, and vast common areas decorated tastefully with Moroccan touches for a stylish scene. But front-desk service can be a bit frosty, the housekeeping and buffet breakfast inconsistent, and some rooms slightly worn. Wi-Fi is free and spotty throughout. Guests seeking a homier vibe, with close proximity to the beach, could try the Riad Zahra Mogador about a half-mile south.
The Atlas Essaouira & Spa is an upscale property across the street from the beach and a 20-minute walk to the tourist-friendly old city. A modern, sophisticated choice for travelers seeking a mix of nature and culture, the property offers a large outdoor pool, three international restaurants, and a full-service spa with hammam. The 156 guest rooms are chic and serene, with minibars and safes, while suites with ocean-view balconies are also available. The well-kept grounds, and vast common areas decorated tastefully with Moroccan touches for a stylish scene. But front-desk service can be a bit frosty, the housekeeping and buffet breakfast inconsistent, and some rooms slightly worn. Wi-Fi is free and spotty throughout. Guests seeking a homier vibe, with close proximity to the beach, could try the Riad Zahra Mogador about a half-mile south.
Riad Baladin is one of the top riads in the medina, with thoughtful style and just 10 rooms in a terraced building, many of which have folding-screen walls that lead to atrium patios. The traditional decor reflects the beach town location with light hues, blonde wood, overstuffed, linen-covered seating pillows, and packed-earth benches. However, some rooms lack bathroom doors. A free breakfast is served daily on the rooftop (which has ocean views!) and there's a hot tub for guests, though it costs extra to use. If this riad is booked, consider the comparable Riad Malaika nearby.
Riad Baladin is one of the top riads in the medina, with thoughtful style and just 10 rooms in a terraced building, many of which have folding-screen walls that lead to atrium patios. The traditional decor reflects the beach town location with light hues, blonde wood, overstuffed, linen-covered seating pillows, and packed-earth benches. However, some rooms lack bathroom doors. A free breakfast is served daily on the rooftop (which has ocean views!) and there's a hot tub for guests, though it costs extra to use. If this riad is booked, consider the comparable Riad Malaika nearby.