Km 8 Route d'Agadir, El Ghazoua, 44000, Ghazoua, Morocco | (888) 989-6591
Quiet, rural location a 20-minute drive from the airport
Beautiful villa property with exquisite African artwork throughout
Traditionally furnished rooms with marble interiors, some with terraces and views
Two swimming pools, one with an infinity edge, the other with kids' area
Spa with traditional hammam plus facials and beauty treatments
Breakfast included in room rates, plus lunch and dinner on request
Wedding and event services for up to 150 guests
Shuttle service to local area and to airport (for a fee)
Free and abundant on-site parking
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Option of renting out entire villa (sleeps 29)
Rural location without much of interest within walking distance
Some rooms lack TVs and coffee- and tea-making facilities
Villa Gonatouki is a beautiful, mid-range villa property located in a rural area a 20-minute drive from the Medina of Essaouria. The 10 rooms feature marble interiors and beautiful handicrafts, and some have terraces with lovely views of the countryside and out to the sea beyond. Features include two swimming pools -- one with a kids' area and a second with an infinity edge -- plus a spa offering a hammam, facials, and massages. Breakfast is included in room rates and lunch and dinner can be arranged on request. The hotel also offers a shuttle service into town, which is especially useful given its rural location and lack of attractions within walking distance. Travelers wanting to be right in the center of things may prefer the kid-friendly Riad Baladin.
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Scene
Beautiful sandstone country villa with numerous seating nooks, African art, and sprawling grounds
Villa Gonatouki is a two-floor, red-sandstone villa surrounded by large patches of grassy lawns and rustic, dusty pathways, with views of semi-arid countryside and the sea in the distance. The interiors feature marble floors, white-washed stucco walls, suspended glass lanterns, and traditional wooden ceilings and doors, plus lots of quintessentially Moroccan arched domes and windows. Seating areas are spread across a number of salons filled with colorful, low seating and nooks featuring lovely African art objects. There are also a few small courtyards within the property with open centerpieces featuring plants and trees. The hotel attracts vacationing couples and families alike, and the entire property can be rented out for parties, weddings, and other events for groups. At just 10 rooms, the vibe is intimate, enhanced by the helpful on-site owner who frequently interacts with guests.
Location
Rural location on the outskirts of Essoauira, but within an easy drive of the airport
The hotel is located just outside the city of Essoauira, down a long dirt road and a 10-minute drive from the airport. The surrounding area is rural, so there's not much within walking distance. The city center requires a 20-minute drive (25 minutes to the Essaouira Citadel), where there are numerous restaurants and sights.
Rooms
Traditionally furnished rooms and suites with lots of marble, some with terraces and great views
Villa Gonatouki offers 10 rooms in total, all with traditional decor featuring lots of marble, arched doors and windows, and local handicrafts. The smallest (Comfort Rooms) on the ground floor measure 15 to 20 square meters (162 to 215 square feet) and feature double beds and simple bathrooms with showers and tubs, but they may be a little dark for some guests. Second-floor Superior Rooms are slightly larger at around 25 square meters (270 square feet) and come with double beds and the option of extra beds for a small fee; these also have large arched windows and doorways, as well as terraces with lovely views out on the property. Big marble bathrooms with double vanities are a lovely extra touch. Ground-floor Small Suites have sofas that can be converted into two small beds for kids (for a fee) and a west-facing garden. A lovely, 30-square-meter (333-square-foot) Grand Suite has traditional wooden ceilings, a marble fireplace, and a huge terrace with views out to the sea. Bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, and toiletries are provided, but some rooms lack TVs and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Travelers also have the option of renting out the entire villa (sleeps 29), or the entire villa except for the Grand Suite (sleeps 20).
Features
Spa with hammam, two pools, free breakfast, and space for events
Features at Villa Gonatouki focus on recreation and relaxation. The two pools include a main pool with small children's section and a longer infinity pool that's ideal for swimming laps. Both have a handful of cushioned loungers and umbrellas. There's an on-site hammam (Turkish bath), along with treatments including massages, scrubs, facials, and manicures. A simple but yummy breakfast is included in room rates, while lunch and dinner can be arranged for a fee, with vegetarian options available. The property is available for weddings and other events. They can also arrange for horseback riding trips, water sports, fishing expeditions, golfing, and dune buggy rentals. Parking is free and abundant and shuttle service to Essaouira, Sidi Kaouki, and to the airport are available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
