Villa Maroc

Concealed behind an innocuous white walled building is Essaouira"s oldest riad. What makes this place truly special and intriguing is the characterful style and labyrinthine interior sprawling out over four inter-connecting riads, full of surprising nooks and alcoves. The Swiss owner and her Moroccan husband have lovingly created an oasis of calm within the hubbub of the Medina. Rooms are simply and charmingly decorated, some with separate salons and prIvate terraces. Exotic potted plants and fresh flowers fill every space. Dinner is served by attentive staff in any of the hideaway dens while generous breakfasts take place on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Guests can be pampered in the downstairs hamman or escape the wind, bustle and heat to Les Jardins de Villa Maroc, the sister villa a short drive away. Here you're treated to a heavenly pool and delectable BBQ with sublime selection of salads.

Why do people love staying in your hotel?
For the location: authentic, stylish, romantic, ideally situated, good service, friendly staff.

What is there to do in the area?
Visiting the medina, shopping, beach life, watersports, horse and camel riding, excursions to berber souk, secret beaches ….

What kind of breakfast do you offer?
Moroccan-continantel breakfast served on the roof terrace. Home made jam and marmalade, home made yoghurt or muesli, orange juice, hot drinks, moroccan bread and pancakes, cream cheese, tomatoes, olives, all kinds of eggs, fruit salad. All freshly home made and served from 8 to 12 am. NO BUFFET.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally?
We also offer dinner. A daily changing 3 course set menu with a choice of meat/chicken or fish or vegetarian main course. All home made with fresh and local products. Our guests are very welcome to visit the kitchen. We offer also cookery classes with our chef. The front desk staff can help with suggestions or reservations for different restaurants. For lunch we propose a barbecue buffet at the swimming pool at « les jardins de Villa Maroc ».

Which are your most popular room types, and why?
The sea view suites, because we are one of the rare Riads with beautiful views from our sea view suites.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ?
No special facilities for children and yes in some rooms we can add extra beds. At « les jardins de Villa Maroc » we have a heated swimming pool.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers?
Villa Maroc is a Riad, you feel like living in a moroccan house but you have a full hotel service. Our guests come back because they appreciate the friendly welcome, the perfect situation, the great breakfast on the roof terrace and the romantic dinner in one of our salons by the fire.