9 Rue Sidi Magdoul, Essaouira, Morocco | (727) 241-5756
Inside the medina, a 10-minute walk from Tagharte Beach
Intimate, simple rooms with white walls, some with fireplace and patio access
Private outdoor hot tub surrounded by a wood pergola
Rooftop with sweeping views of city and water furnished with shaded seating areas
Free continental breakfast includes eggs cooked to order
Airport transfers available (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Fee to use hot tub
Some rooms lack bathroom doors
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.
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Scene
Relaxed Swiss-owned riad popular with tourists
Whitewashed, packed earth and carved stone constitute the principal materials of this casual, comfortable riad, and there are three patios within its terraced floors. The rooftop balcony where breakfast is served has views out to the sea. The overall look is at once Moroccan, Scandinavian, and beach-inspired; expect unstained pine door frames, leather ottomans, and linen-covered pillows hidden away in outdoor porticoed nooks. These features are contrasted by a mix of traditional handicraft and international artifacts, including an oversized Buddha. The multilingual Swiss owner plays a visible role in the day-to-day operations of the hotel, offering recommendations to guests on local activities and restaurants.
Location
Just within the walls of the medina, a 10-minute walk from Tagharte Beach
Quiet streets surround the Riad Baladin, located a three-minute walk from the ramparts and 10 minutes from Tagharte Beach. While airport transportation can be arranged by the riad’s managers, guests can also arrive via Supratours buses from Marrakech; the station sits on the other side of a pedestrian mall situated 10 minutes on foot from the riad.
Rooms
Bright, rustic rooms with four-post wood beds, packed earth whitewashed walls, and a coastal vibe
Natural pine floors, thatched ceilings, and linen-hued bedspreads and tapestries join white walls in airy rooms, which open directly onto the interior courtyard of the property. Shelving is carved directly into the earthen walls; the same technique is employed in creating the tucked-away walk-in showers. All bathrooms have a walk-in shower, with the exception of the Chambre Amoureux, which has a bathtub. The larger rooms -- including the Double and Family Rooms -- are set on higher floors, closer to the roof, and are noticeably brighter. (As is typical for a riad, rooms face the central open courtyard rather than the street.) Some beds in the Family Room are lofted, and not all bathrooms have proper doors.
Features
Outdoor private hot tub for rent, airport transfers (for a fee), in-house massages, and free Wi-Fi
The riad has a hot tub on an outdoor patio surrounded by a wood pergola, and is available for up to two guests at a time, for an hourly fee. A continental breakfast is served from sunrise until late on the roof of the hotel, where guests can lounge freely on a handsome series of low-lying seating, some of it shaded by a latticed loggia. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and the hotel can arrange for extra services, including airport transfers and massages in the designated massage room.
