Best Boutique Hotels in Essaouira, Morocco

Open since the early 2000s, this bohemian complex surrounded by eucalyptus gardens is still run by the original owner -- Dominique -- who built much of the infrastructure from the ground up. There's a casual division between indoor and outdoor here; both sides of the building's brightly painted mud walls feature cozy seating nooks, often carved into rock and furnished with pillows, and there is an ochre roof deck. Baoussala's six suites feature a combination of jewel tones and warm hues, courtesy of natural materials such as packed earth and untreated wood; all feature fireplaces (not commonly found) and charming traditional details, like hand-woven carpets and glowing lanterns. Breakfast included in room price, and dinner can be arranged with advanced notice. Both meals integrate plenty of fresh local produce and get good feedback from guests. There are a heated outdoor pool and a free traditional hammam, and spa services are available for a fee. A special feature here is the outdoor cinema with a small open-air amphitheater. Baoussala is arguably Essaouira's most upscale riad, and is, as we've pointed out before, definitely one of the most picturesque riads in the area (Riad Chbanate, below, also made the cut). 

Like Baoussala, Le Jardin des Douars is a 15-minute drive from Essaouira. Unlike Baoussala, this hotel doesn't offer the traditional riad experience; instead, Le Jardin is a Moroccan castle surrounded by magnificent terraced gardens with palms, ponds, hammocks, chairs and parasols, and two elegant pools. The 26 large, dim apartment-style rooms have terra-cotta tile floors, slatted-wood lathe ceilings, traditional textile wall hangings, and handsome, carved-wood furniture. Bathrooms have locally made argan oil toiletries and tiled walk-in rainfall showers; rooms at the Luxe level and above have bathtubs in addition to showers. Le Jardin's main restaurant serves a daily-changing menu of fresh French-Moroccan dishes, as well as a large Sunday barbecue lunch. The restaurant has indoor/outdoor patio seating and lounge areas, as well as tables around the interior courtyard’s fountain. Le Jardin's palace setting, stunning gardens, beautiful earth-toned rooms, and ample features ensure its high place on our list of top boutique hotels, though Baoussala takes the top spot for its riad authenticity and homey, bohemian vibe.

The elegant Dar Maya is tucked into a peaceful street in Essaouira's scenic medina. A traditional riad, with a quaint inner patio with cream-colored furniture and potted plants, Dar Maya features a streamlined, ultra-elegant take on traditional Moroccan decor. The design-consciousness on display here definitely pulls Dar Maya into top-three territory. Its five tranquil rooms are more upscale, chic, and sophisticated than typical riad rooms -- these are outfitted in soothing earth tones with features like fireplaces and luxurious bathrooms with heated floors. Some feature small balconies. Traditional and modern handicrafts decorate much of the property, which also has a traditional hammam and rooftop hot tub and patio. In-room beauty treatments and massage can be arranged, and breakfast with crepes and eggs is included with room rates (though advanced notice must be given for lunch and dinner). Guests receive welcome drink and pastries.

Housed in an 18th-century riad -- or traditional Moroccan mansion -- in the medina, Riad Chbanate is a small hotel with eight individually decorated rooms around a charming courtyard. All feature gorgeous, traditional decor and modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and minibars (TVs are rare in Essaouira hotel rooms -- L'Heure Bleue Palais below is the only other hotel on this list that offers them -- and minibars are virtually unheard of). 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. Unlike our top three picks, Riad Chbanate lacks a traditional hammam, but it has a more central location than Riad Baoussala and Le Jardin des Douars (Dar Maya has both a hammam and a within-the-medina address).

Filled with objets d’art and traditional handicrafts, Riad Malaika is an intimate medina hotel in the traditional riad style of a Moroccan home. Its nine airy, elegant rooms are grouped on three floors around a courtyard (this layouts means rooms can be narrow). All are individually decorated with contemporary drawings, gilded geometric lanterns, carved-wood armoires, and inlaid mosaic tiling. Rooms may be narrow, but bathrooms are generously sized throughout; they have walk-in stone tiled showers and herbal toiletries. Below the rooms, indoor sitting areas around the interior courtyard are filled with cushions, carpets, and more art. More lounge space can be found on the roof, where a terrace features lattice-shade structures, cushioned chaise loungers, and views of the city (but no hot tub, like at Dar Maya). The hotel serves a free homemade breakfast that changes daily, and evening meals can be prepared with advance notice. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

Adjacent to Essaouira's medina and two blocks from the city's beach, Madada Mogador is an upscale, eight-room boutique hotel in a traditional Moroccan riad. Each room is serene and spacious, with an elegant mix of earth tones and handsome wood furniture. Their look skews a bit more contemporary than the largely traditional, local-crafts-laden spaces found at the other hotels on this list. Each room has a luxurious en-suite bathroom with a hammered brass sink; some have locally made "tadelakt" soaking tub, while others have only showers. Several rooms overlook the ocean and the landscaped gardens in Orson Welles Square. All guests have access to the rooftop patio and there is an ocean-facing treatment room for massages. La Table, a well-reputed restaurant on the main floor, serves inventive French and Moroccan-inspired fare with an emphasis on seafood. A full American breakfast is included in room rates -- this is pretty standard for Essaouira hotels, but Madada goes further, offering free all-day snacks and a free wine and cocktail happy hour. Another special touch? Madada hosts traditional Moroccan cooking classes in a former almond warehouse. Free daily newspapers are provided and Wi-Fi is free in the hotel's lobby. 

This is one of the top riads in the medina. Thoughtful style is found throughout, including the 10 airy rooms that open directly onto the interior courtyard. Natural pine floors, thatched ceilings, and linen bedspreads and tapestries join white, earthen walls with built-in shelving. All bathrooms have tucked-away cave-like showers, with the exception of the Chambre Amoureux, which has a bathtub. 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 (in contrast to Dar Maya's, which is free).

The renovated 19th-century luxury riad cultivates an Old World formality that might feel a tad uptight for some guests' taste. This colonial aesthetic (over an authentic Moroccan one), plus the fact that furnishings can be a tad worse for wear, are two minor dings that pull L'Heure Bleue Palais down the list. Otherwise, it is a beautiful (and expensive) place, with stately rooms with traditional carved-wood furniture and marble bathrooms; a rooftop patio with wicker shade awnings, an outdoor pool; and a poolside cafe; and black marble hammam with massage services available. Like most riads, a traditional breakfast buffet included in room price, served alfresco in the handsome courtyard. L'Heure is one of the few riads with a full-service restaurant and bar -- in fact, it has several. The English Lounge serves cocktails and teas; Kemia offers Oriental seafood tapas along with wines and cocktails; and Salon Oriental, the main restaurant, focuses on fine Moroccan cuisine and hosts wine-themed dinners.