Riad Tamayourt Ocean View

We came away happy we tried staying outside the medina for a change, and the heated pool was so relaxing that I stopped minding the beach wasn't nearby. Riad Tamayourt was a hidden gem for our two nights, and they welcomed our well-behaved Maltese. We usually choose a riad in Essaouira's medina, but this was a lovely alternative. Meriem, the owner and host, was charming, and her quirky, artsy place felt comfortable and homelike. Our room was spacious, with a big bathroom and a great shower. My husband and I found the mattress and pillows a bit too soft, though the many good things outweighed that. The food was fantastic: I love couscous, and the Saturday serving with beef and lots of vegetables was heaven. The fish tagine the day before was delicious too, and the Moroccan wines went well with the meals. Mariem's staff were kind, helpful, and hardworking, and the chef was very skilled. It made for a great getaway and a chance to see a different side of Essaouira. We'll recommend it to friends and clients, and to anyone reading this.

The room was enormous, with a very comfortable super king bed, colourful eclectic decor, and a hot shower. The whole place has that look, and the hosts were lovely and helpful. There was plenty of cold beer and local wine with olives, plus tasty snacks in the afternoons. It's a peaceful oasis with a pool at just the right temperature, yet close to town. We drove a hire car, which made the location easier since we could go into town instead of trying to find a taxi, though there were plenty of taxis around. The Riad sits down a dirt track outside town, about 10 minutes away, and there was lots of parking and a good selection of restaurants. The trip is worth it. On our first night we had a delicious home-cooked meal there: avocado and prawn cocktail, then a whole grilled sea bream bought fresh from the port, followed by a tasty chocolate mouse. Essaouira itself is a really nice town, much nicer than Marrakech in my view. The souks are pleasant to browse without feeling rushed.

The place has a lovely design and atmosphere, with interesting little features throughout, and the hosts and staff were attentive and so nice to talk with. Jalil deserves a special mention for being such a kind, great guy, and Hyena 🐕 too! It's outside the city, as other reviews say, but taxis are plentiful and the ride takes only about 10 minutes. If you're visiting Essaouira, do yourself a favour and stay here. The hosts and service staff were fantastic. We'll be back.

Riad Tamayourt gave us a very comfortable Christmas stay, with beautiful ocean views. Breakfast was delicious, and the staff were really friendly. We hope to come back.