The places below are grouped by area. For accommodation in the medina, see also our selection of riads in Essaouira, and for a swimming pool, our hotels with swimming pools. The ratings are based on traveller reviews, out of 10.
In the medina
Within the walls of the medina, these riads and guesthouses are just a few hundred metres from the beach.
Riad Dar Maya
On Rue d'Oujda, Riad Dar Maya welcomes its guests with Moroccan pastries and serves breakfast on the roof terrace, in the patio or in the dining room. It scores 9.0 from nearly 650 reviews, with 9.6 for the staff; value for money, at 8.9, is its lowest rating.
Riad Dar Maya
A riad with air-conditioned rooms featuring a fireplace, some with a balcony. It has a roof terrace with a hot tub, a library, a hammam and massages; breakfast is continental or Moroccan.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the location in the medina. Cleanliness and comfort are also well rated. Value for money is the lowest-rated point.
This riad also features in our selection of riads in Essaouira.
Riad Maison Du Sud
This 18th-century riad is right in the heart of the medina, 300 metres from the beach, and its sunny terrace overlooks the sea. The location scores 9.6, for 8.4 overall from over 500 reviews; the facilities, at 8.2, are its lowest score.
Riad Maison Du Sud
A riad with rooms and suites featuring a mezzanine and sitting area, all opening onto a light-filled patio. It has a hammam, a spa offering massages, a restaurant and a terrace, and runs cookery and yoga classes. Pets are welcome.
Guests particularly appreciate its location in the heart of the medina and the staff's welcome. Value for money and comfort score reasonably well. Facilities and cleanliness are the lowest-rated points.
This riad also features in our selection of riads in Essaouira.
Riad Chbanate
Situated along the ramparts, 100 metres from Bab Marrakech Square, Riad Chbanate has a roof terrace overlooking the medina. It scores 9.6 based on over 750 reviews, with 9.9 for staff and 9.8 for cleanliness; even the Wi-Fi, its lowest score, comes in at 9.1.
Riad Chbanate
A riad with spacious, air-conditioned rooms, each with a fireplace, a television and a bathroom with a bath, all opening onto the patio. It has a roof terrace, a hot tub and a restaurant, and a continental breakfast can be served in your room.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome, followed by the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms. Facilities and the location near the ramparts are also very well rated. The Wi-Fi is the lowest-rated point.
This riad also features in our selection of riads in Essaouira.
Dar Adul
Just 600 metres from the beach, this guesthouse offers views of the sea and its inner courtyard, and breakfast is served on the terrace, in the lounge or in your room. It scores 9.5 from over 900 reviews, with 9.9 for both location and staff; Wi-Fi, at 8.8, is its weakest point.
Dar Adul
A guesthouse with views of the sea and the inner courtyard, family rooms and a sun terrace; some rooms have a kitchenette with a fridge. A continental breakfast is included, and pets are welcome.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the location. Cleanliness, comfort and value for money are also very well rated. The Wi-Fi is the lowest-rated point.
This guesthouse also features in our selection of riads in Essaouira.
Maison 250
On Rue Chbanat, 600 metres from the beach, Maison 250 is for adults only. With a score of 9.7 from 192 reviews, it has the highest rating in this selection; value for money, its lowest score, stands at 9.4.
Maison 250
An adults-only guesthouse with a sun terrace and rooms with a private bathroom and bathrobes, some with city views. A shuttle service can be arranged, and bicycles are available for hire.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the near-spotless cleanliness. Comfort, location and facilities are rated just as highly. Value for money, also excellent, comes last.
This property also features in our selection of luxury hotels.
On the seafront and in the new town
To the south of the medina, either along the bay or set back slightly, these three hotels all have a swimming pool.
Atlas Essaouira & Spa
Situated on the seafront on Boulevard Mohamed V, this 5-star hotel is a 15-minute walk from the coach station. It is the most reviewed property in this selection, with over 1,500 reviews, for 7.9 overall; Wi-Fi (9.2) and location (9.1) are its highest-rated features, and value for money (7.6) its lowest.
Atlas Essaouira & Spa
A 5-star hotel with air-conditioned rooms featuring satellite TV and a minibar, some with a balcony and sea views. It has 2 swimming pools, a spa with a hammam and sauna, a fitness centre, 2 restaurants and a private beach. Parking is free.
Guests particularly appreciate its oceanfront location and the welcome from the staff. Cleanliness and comfort score reasonably well. Facilities and value for money are the lowest-rated points.
This hotel also features in our selection of hotels with a swimming pool.
Le Médina Essaouira Thalassa Sea & Spa MGallery
Situated on the seafront, a 5-minute walk from the harbour, this 5-star hotel is directly connected to a thalassotherapy centre. It scores 8.2 from over 1,000 reviews, with 9.5 for its location; value for money, at 7.8, is its weakest point.
Hotel Le Médina Essaouira Thalassa sea & spa - Mgallery
A 5-star hotel built around a large outdoor swimming pool, with air-conditioned rooms featuring a balcony, a television and a minibar. It has a spa with a hammam, a gym, 3 restaurants, 2 bars and a private beach. Pets are welcome, and parking is free.
Guests particularly appreciate its location, along with the staff's welcome and the comfort of the rooms. Cleanliness is also well rated. Value for money is the lowest-rated point.
This hotel also features in our selections of hotels with a swimming pool and luxury hotels.
Villa Quieta
Located about 2 km south of the medina, Villa Quieta has free private parking and offers bike hire. It scores 9.1 from nearly 800 reviews, with 9.6 for staff and 9.5 for comfort; Wi-Fi, at 8.2, is its lowest score.
Villa Quieta
A hotel with air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms featuring a minibar and a bathroom with a bath or shower and bathrobes. It has an outdoor swimming pool, a garden and a terrace, and the reception is open 24 hours a day. Parking is free.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the comfort of the rooms. Cleanliness and facilities are also very well rated. The Wi-Fi is the lowest-rated point.
This hotel also features in our selection of hotels with a swimming pool.
South of the town
These two properties are located outside Essaouira: Le Golf is on the Domaine de Mogador golf course, and Villa Beldi is 3 km from the town.
Hotel Le Golf d'Essaouira & Spa
The former Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa is situated on the Gary Player golf course, and all its rooms have a terrace with views of the golf course or the sea. It has the lowest rating in this selection: 7.0 based on over 1,350 reviews, with 6.4 for facilities and 6.9 for value for money. The staff (8.3) and Wi-Fi (8.8) score higher. For golf courses in the region, see our guide to golf in Essaouira.
Hotel Le Golf d'Essaouira & Spa
A 5-star hotel of villas and suites, all with a terrace overlooking the golf course, a minibar and satellite TV, with butler service. It has 2 swimming pools, a spa with a hammam, a gym and 3 restaurants. Parking is free.
Guests particularly appreciate the Wi-Fi, the location and the staff's welcome. Comfort and cleanliness receive average scores. Facilities and value for money are the lowest-rated points.
This hotel also features in our selections of hotels with a swimming pool and luxury hotels.
Villa Beldi
At kilometre 1 on the Agadir road, 3 km from Essaouira, this guesthouse features a heated swimming pool, free private parking and a childcare service. It has a rating of 9.3 from 147 reviews, and none of its individual ratings fall below 9.0.
Villa Beldi
A guesthouse with a heated outdoor swimming pool, a terrace, a restaurant and a bar, and rooms with a flat-screen TV, some with a seating area. It offers a spa with massages and yoga classes. Parking is free.
Guests above all praise the staff's welcome and the comfort of the rooms. Cleanliness and facilities are also very well rated. The location, a few kilometres from Essaouira, and the Wi-Fi are the lowest-rated points.
This guesthouse also features in our selections of hotels with swimming pools and luxury hotels.
How to choose
- Top ratings: Maison 250 (9.7), Riad Chbanate (9.6), Dar Adul (9.5).
- In the medina: Riad Dar Maya, Riad Maison Du Sud, Riad Chbanate, Dar Adul, Maison 250.
- A swimming pool: Atlas Essaouira & Spa, Le Médina MGallery, Villa Quieta, Le Golf d'Essaouira, Villa Beldi.
- A spa with a hammam: Atlas Essaouira & Spa, Le Médina MGallery, Le Golf d'Essaouira.
- Adults only: Maison 250.
Frequently asked questions
Where to stay in Essaouira? In a traditional hotel or a riad?
If you want a more authentic experience, immersed in the culture of the city, opt for a riad in Essaouira. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses in the heart of the medina, offering a picturesque setting and an atmosphere typical of the region.
What's the best hotel in Essaouira near the beach for a family?
For a family break in Essaouira near the beach, opt for a hotel with a swimming pool! We suggest Villa Beldi and Hotel Le Golf d'Essaouira & Spa! These hotels are not far from the beach and close to Essaouira's medina, offering a pleasant stay for the family.
Which is the best top-of-the-range hotel in Essaouira?
For an upmarket experience in Essaouira, choose Hotel Le Golf d'Essaouira & Spa, formerly the Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa, a sumptuous 5-star hotel located on the edge of the Gary Player golf course. With two swimming pools and a fitness centre, you can relax in luxurious surroundings. What's more, its ideal location makes it easy to discover all that Essaouira has to offer.
The Medina Essaouira Thalassa Sea & Spa MGallery is another upmarket hotel in Essaouira. This hotel is part of the MGallery collection, which offers characterful and refined accommodation.
Thalassa Sea & Spa refers to the hotel's thalassotherapy centre, where you can enjoy wellness and relaxation treatments typical of Moroccan tradition.
