179 Rue Chbanate, Essaouira, Morocco | (618) 248-8274
Located in the Medina of Essaouria, a short walk from the beach
Housed in a beautiful 18th-century riad
Gorgeous, individually decorated suites with marble soaking tubs
Breakfast of fresh fruit, crepes, and baked goods included in room rates
Lunch and dinner available to order
Massages available on the property
Free water and tea available all day
Terrace with sunbeds and whirlpool hot tub
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Lunch and dinner have to be pre-ordered
Rooms lack telephones
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.
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Scene
Small, romantic riad property with courtyard, large dining room, and lovely terrace area
The upscale Riad Chbanate is housed an 18th-century, French-owned riad with beautiful, updated interiors. Riads are traditional mansions built around a central courtyard, and Riad Chmanate is no exception; it features beautiful archways and lots of potted plants and patio furniture. The ground floor also features a kitchen, a dining room with stone archways, wooden floors, and a semi-open sitting room. Most guests who stay here are vacationing couples, though the riad also does get some families (usually with older kids).
Location
In the Medina of Essaouira, a short walk from the beach
Riad Chbanate is located in the Medina of Essaouira, a five-minute walk from the beach. The immediate area is primarily home to traditional houses and other riad hotels, and while it's completely pedestrianized, parking is available a five-minute walk away. Borj Bab Marrakech is a 10-minute walk away. It takes about two and a half hours to reach the airport in Marrakesh, and the riad can arrange transfers for a fee.
Rooms
Eight individually decorated suites with deep marble bath tubs; some rooms have Medina views
The Riad Chbanate offers a total of eight suites, each with its own unique decor scheme that mixes traditional Moroccan elements with modern amenities. Rooms generally have neutral base decor, with mottled off-white walls and wooden or tile floors accented by vivid hues of reds and orange in the form of rugs, throws, and -- in some cases -- furniture. Some also feature thatched ceilings that add to the overall rustic-chic ambience found across rooms. Bathrooms vary as well, but are generally chic and romantic, with big marble bathtubs and rainfall showerheads. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs with DVD players, air-conditioning, bathrobes, hairdryers, and toiletries. However, rooms lack phones, so guests on the top floor should be prepared to descend lots of steps if they need to get ahold of the front desk. Some rooms have balconies and views out on the Medina.
Features
Free breakfast, a rooftop terrace with hot tub, and free Wi-Fi
As a smaller property, Riad Chbanate doesn't offer a ton of features, but it does have a rooftop terrace with a whirlpool hot tub and a few sunbeds for guest use. Breakfast is included in room rates and features fresh fruit, crepes, eggs, and baked goods. Lunch and dinner are available on request (although they must be pre-ordered), with a variety of options including traditional tagines and couscous dishes or lighter meals such as salads and grilled fish. Free water and tea are available throughout the day. Wi-Fi is free throughout the riad, and airport transfers, babysitting, and laundry service can be arranged for a fee. Massages are also available on-site in the hotel's small massage room. The hotel is also happy to help guests book off-site activities, including hammam (Turkish bath) visits, golfing, and camel rides.
