Best Hotels for Families in Essaouira, Morocco

In a quiet spot a 10-minute drive south of Essaouira, the contemporary Sofitel has all the luxury amenities expected of a five-pearl resort, including two outdoor pools and four excellent restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. Sofitel Essaouira offers babysitting services (for a fee) and a dedicated kids' club with daily activities -- a feature so rare in this area, its presence boosts Sofitel to the number-one spot on this list. The 175 rooms include spacious standard units, stylish suites, and elegant stand-alone villas. All rooms feature spacious terraces furnished with chairs, tables, and daybeds, and villas have large gardens with private heated pools and outdoor living areas. Free water is replenished daily, but coffeemakers are only available on request except in suites and villas, which come equipped with Nespresso machines. All bathrooms feature large walk-in rain showers, upscale toiletries, and deep stone soaking tubs. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi throughout, as well as free outdoor parking and free shuttle service to Essaouira several times a day.

Located about a 15-minute drive outside of the medina, Riad Baossala is a homey, relaxing riad with packed-earth floors and low-lying couches. Because Riad Baoussala is located outside of the medina, it has more common space in which families can spread out and more features -- including a year-round heated outdoor pool -- than riads located inside. The location is part of the appeal for many guests, as it is quiet and peaceful. All six of Baossala's rooms are suites with built-in seating that can serve as additional sleeping nooks, free Wi-Fi, and shower/tub combos (the exception is the Hammam Room, which only has a shower). Breakfast is included in room rates, and a prix-fixe dinner is available (as long as the hotel is given notice by lunchtime), which can be modified for children. In addition to kids' menus, Riad Baossala offers stowaway cots and babysitting services.

At first, everything about this hotel seems tailor-made for romance: the gorgeous castle in the remote setting, the sprawling terraced gardens, the atmospheric French-North African restaurant. But Le Jardin is actually very welcoming of families. It offers a family pool with shallow end for children, as well as children’s menus and babysitting services. Families also can appreciate Le Jardin's large apartment-style rooms (the Family Room features an additional bedroom with two twin beds). Like Baoussala, Le Jardin offers free breakfast and free Wi-Fi, but here it is only in the common areas, not in the rooms, like at Baoussala. One additional perk of Le Jardin's, though, is the free shuttle service that it offers to Essaouira. 

Located about five minutes from Morocco's coast, the 23-room Riad Zahra Mogador appeals to travelers who want to be near the beach. Zahra Mogador has many more amenities than the typical Moroccan guest house; there are three on-site restaurants serving well-received Asian, international, and Moroccan food (breakfast is included in room rates and room service is available 24 hours -- a rarity here), as well as a large outdoor pool. Standard and Superior Rooms come with one double and one single bed, while spacious Mini Suites have two sofas, better quality furniture, and bigger TVs. Bathrooms range in size but tend to be small overall, with walk-in showers but no tubs. Free Wi-Fi is available in rooms and some common areas. On-site parking is also free, and babysitting is available for a fee. 

One of the top riads in the medina, Riad Baladin is located in a terraced building with traditional decor and packed-earth benches. Its 10 rooms are simple, intimate, and have the same thoughtful style seen throughout the common spaces. Note that some rooms lack bathroom doors. The hotel's lofted Family Room, plus its free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and location a 10-minute walk from Tagharte Beach earn it a position in our list of kid-friendly area hotels. The breakfast includes eggs cooked to order, and is served daily on the rooftop (which has ocean views!) There's also an outdoor hot tub, but it costs extra to use.