The value Villa Maroc is a 21-room riad in the heart of the Medina of Essauouira, a few minutes' walk from the beach. Rooms are simply furnished, especially by local standards, though they do feature a few lovely touches such as traditional rugs and lanterns. Amenities include a spa with a small hammam and massage treatments and a free continental breakfast served on a rooftop terrace. Dinner is available on request. The riad's central location makes it a great place to stay for those who want to spend most of their time out and about exploring, but those looking to stay somewhere with more impressive rooms might prefer Riad Baladin, which offers a bit more in terms of ambience and a hot tub.
The value Villa Maroc is a 21-room riad in the heart of the Medina of Essauouira, a few minutes' walk from the beach. Rooms are simply furnished, especially by local standards, though they do feature a few lovely touches such as traditional rugs and lanterns. Amenities include a spa with a small hammam and massage treatments and a free continental breakfast served on a rooftop terrace. Dinner is available on request. The riad's central location makes it a great place to stay for those who want to spend most of their time out and about exploring, but those looking to stay somewhere with more impressive rooms might prefer Riad Baladin, which offers a bit more in terms of ambience and a hot tub.
The 117-room Le Medina Essaouira Hotel Thalassa Sea & Spa is an upper-mid-range property with a large pool and a private beach about 10 minutes' walk from the old city. The hotel is part of the MGallery Collection, which emphasizes services for women, who get 50 percent off at the spa every Monday. Guests can also lounge in the sun around the massive wood pool deck, or at the beach on private beds with canopies. Guest rooms include balconies, and decor is done with handcrafted Moroccan furniture. With three restaurants and two bars, the hotel offers plenty of choices for eating and drinking. Service in the breakfast room can be disappointing, and rooms facing the sea get noisy. Guests willing to stay farther outside the city could try Villa Gonatouki, which is about the same price.
The 117-room Le Medina Essaouira Hotel Thalassa Sea & Spa is an upper-mid-range property with a large pool and a private beach about 10 minutes' walk from the old city. The hotel is part of the MGallery Collection, which emphasizes services for women, who get 50 percent off at the spa every Monday. Guests can also lounge in the sun around the massive wood pool deck, or at the beach on private beds with canopies. Guest rooms include balconies, and decor is done with handcrafted Moroccan furniture. With three restaurants and two bars, the hotel offers plenty of choices for eating and drinking. Service in the breakfast room can be disappointing, and rooms facing the sea get noisy. Guests willing to stay farther outside the city could try Villa Gonatouki, which is about the same price.
The Riad Baoussala is arguably the most upscale riad in the Essaouira, but its location a 15-minute drive outside the medina down a dirt road means renting a car is recommended. Its six suites outfitted in a combination of jewel tones and the warm hues of natural materials such as packed earth and untreated wood. The bohemian complex features a number of cozy nooks tucked into carved-rock common areas along with an ochre rooftop deck, all surrounded by eucalyptus gardens. The property is family-friendly, with kids' menus, stowaway cots available, and babysitting services. Advance notice must be given for dinner, which integrates plenty of fresh local produce and gets good feedback from guests. There's also a heated pool and a traditional hammam that can be used free of charge, and spa services are available for a fee.
The Riad Baoussala is arguably the most upscale riad in the Essaouira, but its location a 15-minute drive outside the medina down a dirt road means renting a car is recommended. Its six suites outfitted in a combination of jewel tones and the warm hues of natural materials such as packed earth and untreated wood. The bohemian complex features a number of cozy nooks tucked into carved-rock common areas along with an ochre rooftop deck, all surrounded by eucalyptus gardens. The property is family-friendly, with kids' menus, stowaway cots available, and babysitting services. Advance notice must be given for dinner, which integrates plenty of fresh local produce and gets good feedback from guests. There's also a heated pool and a traditional hammam that can be used free of charge, and spa services are available for a fee.
L'Heure Bleue Palais is a renovated 19th-century luxury riad in Essaouira, and one of the more expensive places to stay in town. It offers 33 dark, stately rooms with marble bathrooms and colonial outfittings like animal-striped accents and leather ottomans. A renowned restaurant offers locally focused fare with an emphasis on seafood, and there are a rooftop patio with a pool, a black marble hammam, and a spa, in addition to a luxurious breakfast buffet included in the room price and offering traditional Moroccan pancakes and products. Decor throughout the hotel is decidedly dark and evokes a throwback to the earlier part of the 20th century. The property has a grandiose feel, though may be showing some signs of wear particularly in the bathrooms.
L'Heure Bleue Palais is a renovated 19th-century luxury riad in Essaouira, and one of the more expensive places to stay in town. It offers 33 dark, stately rooms with marble bathrooms and colonial outfittings like animal-striped accents and leather ottomans. A renowned restaurant offers locally focused fare with an emphasis on seafood, and there are a rooftop patio with a pool, a black marble hammam, and a spa, in addition to a luxurious breakfast buffet included in the room price and offering traditional Moroccan pancakes and products. Decor throughout the hotel is decidedly dark and evokes a throwback to the earlier part of the 20th century. The property has a grandiose feel, though may be showing some signs of wear particularly in the bathrooms.
The upscale and elegant Dar Maya is a design-conscious boutique hotel within the walls of Essaouira's scenic medina. The hotel -- a traditional riad, or house with a courtyard -- has five tranquil rooms outfitted in soothing earth tones with features like fireplaces and luxurious bathrooms, while some also feature small balconies. Traditional and modern handicrafts decorate much of the property, which also has a hammam and rooftop hot tub, and breakfast is included with room rates (though advanced notice must be given for lunch and dinner meals). Guests should know that there is no elevator here.
The upscale and elegant Dar Maya is a design-conscious boutique hotel within the walls of Essaouira's scenic medina. The hotel -- a traditional riad, or house with a courtyard -- has five tranquil rooms outfitted in soothing earth tones with features like fireplaces and luxurious bathrooms, while some also feature small balconies. Traditional and modern handicrafts decorate much of the property, which also has a hammam and rooftop hot tub, and breakfast is included with room rates (though advanced notice must be given for lunch and dinner meals). Guests should know that there is no elevator here.