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.
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.