L’Heure Bleue Palais

The hotel cultivates a distinctly historic old-world formality that draws an upscale clientele and can feel a tad uptight for some guests' taste. Decor includes dark, paneled carved-wood walls throughout, along with decorative tile floors. There are plush fuchsia velour chairs and arched glass doors in the Salon Oriental dining room, the gastronomic center of the property. Tufted leather chairs, taxidermy, and tin and glass chandeliers complete the elegant, slightly sexy, and decidedly opulent feel in the English Lounge. The property, originally built in the late 19th century, is structured around a three-story interior courtyard whose columned walkways look down upon the al fresco area in the center, which is set with cushioned rattan chairs and glass-topped tables. Another highly appealing common space is up on the rooftop terrace, where the dreamy Mediterranean blue and white color scheme extends from sun-loungers to circular rattan beds to slatted-roof cabanas draped in white curtains and decorated with potted cacti. 

This Riad is just within the old city walls in the eastern section of Essaouira, a five-minute walk from Souk Lagzhal, surrounded by restaurants, and a 10-minute walk to Tagharte beach. A private as well as a public parking area are within a few minutes’ on foot. The streets surrounding the hotel are filled with shops and the occasional museum -- Musée Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah is a 10-minute stroll. The Supratours terminal, which provides the main link via bus to Marrakech, is a five-minute walk from the hotel.

These dark, slightly formal rooms have white walls, teak-colored door frames and carved built-in storage and panels, patterned floor tiling, and slatted shutters covering the doors and windows. Decor is distinctly neocolonial, with animal-stripe throw pillows, wicker headboards, and leather footstools. Marble bathrooms may have walk-in showers with rainfall showerhead fixtures (Classic rooms), and Deluxe level on upwards include bathtubs with handheld nozzles. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, safes, bathrobes and slippers, and air-conditioning. Suites have coffeemakers and mini-fridges stocked with water bottles. 

Breakfast is served al fresco in the handsome, three-story courtyard. The rich spread includes cooked eggs, fresh fruits, and traditional Moroccan breads and pancakes with Amlou spread, made with argan oil and almonds. 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. There is a cafe, Terrace Grill, by the heated rooftop pool, which may be windy and slightly cold in the winter (normal for Essaouira). A black marble hammam is adjacent to a spa offering an array of massage services. There are a billiard room, a small home theater equipped for screenings, and cooking classes offered by the staff, who can also arrange for daytrips to vineyards or a nearby golf course.