Essaouira’s original, 18th-century riad hotel with 21 shabby-chic rooms, a Carita-endorsed spa and a front-row, ocean-view location in the Unesco-protected medina. There is also now a countryside retreat 12km outside of town, complete with pool, barbecue and a farmhouse with three rooms.
Located at the southern end of the medina in between Place Moulay Hassan and Place Orson Welles. This is a great place to be situated, right between the beach, harbour and the heart of the medina with a roof terrace encompassing all three. Taxis can be picked up at Place Orson Welles.
Going strong now for 26 years, Villa Maroc practically invented Essaouira’s shabby-chic style with its white-washed walls and white linens contrasted against bright blue balustrades and shutters. The fascinating jigsaw of internal courtyards, cosy sitting rooms and sunny, flower-filled terraces is actually four historic homes cleverly reworked as a whole.
The restoration has been highly sensitive, respecting the past character of the architecture while creating a comfortable and intimate small hotel. The décor is similarly thoughtful: a pared back selection of Moroccan and African antiques, art and crafts that showcase the impeccable taste of Swiss-Moroccan owners Cornelia and Abderahim.
Service is highly professional. In the warren of rooms you’ll find quiet reading patios, numerous lounges (most with cosy fires when it’s cold) and dining rooms, a shop, bar, bijou spa, and spectacular roof terrace scattered with cacti and candy-coloured geraniums. The front desk can arrange a wide array of activities from cookery courses to hiking, horse riding and market-hopping in the vicinity.
New to the mix is a countryside villa – Les Jardins de Villa Maroc – complete with pool, barbecue deck and three double rooms. There’s a shuttle between the two for guests who want to spend time there.
Given the historic nature of the house, bedrooms come in all shapes and sizes, from 12 snug doubles to seven larger suites with sitting areas, and two family-friendly apartments. All of them sport the same beachy vibe with gauzy curtains, white bed linens, cane furniture and cool terracotta or zellij tiled floors. Bathrooms are similarly bespoke, but tend toward the small side. Suite 30 is a winner with great views over the harbour.
The kitchen serves up excellent dinners, refined without being pretentious, based on Abderahim’s traditional family recipes. Dinners must be ordered in the morning and consist of three courses, including unusual dishes such as trid (spiced chicken perched on a layered pancake and lentil base). Light lunches and breakfast are usually taken on the glorious terrace. Or, guests can opt for a barbecue lunch and day by the pool at Les Jardins for 250 Moroccan Dirham (£18) per person.
Double rooms from 1,400 Moroccan Dirham ($130) in low season; rising to 1,900 Moroccan Dirham ($175) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.
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Yes. There are two family-friendly apartments and cots (£10 per night) and extra beds (£21 per night) can be provided. However, beware; the villa is riddled with stairs.
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