Palace · Sea-facing
Heure Bleue Palais
A Relais & Châteaux palace inside the walls, rooftop pool, ocean views.
Atlantic windsong
Essaouira
The city, in a breath
A Portuguese-walled medina on the Atlantic.
Essaouira is two hours from Marrakech by car, thirty-five minutes by helicopter. A walled fishing port turned bohemian capital, ramparts pounded by the Atlantic, riads inside the walls, gnawa music in every café.
We hold riads inside the medina and beach villas in Diabat and Sidi Kaouki for those wanting solitude.
Where to sleep
Inside the walls, or on the beach.
Riad · Medina
Riad Watier
A medina riad with hammam, twelve guests, full Maison buyout.
Private · Beach
Diabat villa
A six-bedroom beach villa twenty minutes south. Pool, staff, full ocean access.
01 · The medina
A working port, alive.
Fish market at dawn, ramparts at sunset, gnawa in the evening. The Maison guide knows every doorway.
- Fish market
- Skala
- Sunset ramparts
02 · Surf & wind
Atlantic energy.
Kitesurfing at Sidi Kaouki, classic surfing at Imsouane. Lessons with private instructors.
- Kitesurf
- Imsouane
- Private lessons
03 · Argan & goats
The countryside.
Argan cooperatives in the hinterland, a Berber lunch, the famous tree-climbing goats — quietly arranged.
- Argan oil
- Berber lunch
04 · Music
Gnawa, properly.
A private evening with a Gnawa master in your riad courtyard. Off-festival, unhurried.
- Private Gnawa
- Riad courtyard
Maison advice
Counterpoint to Marrakech.
Two nights is the right rhythm — Marrakech, then Essaouira. The contrast does both cities justice.
Apr — Oct
The wind months
Warm but always windy — a relief from Marrakech heat. June Gnawa Festival is iconic but crowded.
Nov — Mar
Quiet, fresh
Cooler, fewer travellers, prime time for the privacy-seeking.
By helicopter
35 min from Marrakech
The Maison hold a helicopter operator for the Essaouira run. Ten-minute helipad transfer to the medina.
Compose your stay in Essaouira.
By car or helicopter. Riads and beach villas held privately.