We stayed in a superior seaview room and it was excellent. The Riad is about a twenty to thirty minutes stroll along the sea front to the centre of the Medina and the fish market at the harbour. We preferred having that distance from the noise and congestion. Although Essaouira is much calmer and relaxed compared to Marrakech Medina. When the fish are being sold down beside the boats it is an amazing sight. There are many bars and restaurants between the Riad and the centre. There are also bars and restaurants five minutes from the Riad where the camels and horses are on the beach.

After the apartment we were due to stay in became unavailable at the very last minute, booking.com helped us find an alternative and we chose Riad Zahra. It turned out to be a very good choice. Though the building is not very old, it is designed and decorated in a very attractive traditional style. The location is excellent, a quiet residential area near the main beach and not too far from the port and medina. The staff and owners are very approachable, friendly and helpful.

These are not complaints, just some suggestions for possible improvement. Some of the fittings would benefit from renewal or renovation, but this did not spoil our stay. The breakfast was very good and filling (coffee, juice, egg, pancake, bread, madeira cake, pancake, yoghurt) but some day to day variation might be nice, or perhaps some fruit. It would be nice to have 24 hr access to hot water for drinking e.g. a kettle in the room, or even one in the communal areas.

We stayed in Essaouira for 6 days. The Riad Zahra was an excellent choice to explore the surroundings by foot and by car. We had to change our booking last minute to add one more day and owners were very helpful with that. The only downfall of it was the change of the room. We were moved to the first floor room nest to the terrace and pool and soundproof and privacy was compromised. Also, not sure about all rooms but ours had no air-condition and due to the high humidity our clothes was quite dump. Not the host's fault though. Its a beautiful place to stay and enjoy European style vacation. We are very grateful to the owners and stuff for everything.

Luck of soundproof in our room

The evening meals in the hotel's own restaurant were marvellous. My room was on the ground floor which was perfect for me as I have had mobility difficulties during the last year, and cannot manage stairs with comfort. So everything I needed was easily accessible, my room, the restaurant for breakfast (plenty of), and evening meal, and to be able to sit outside by the pool if I wanted to.

Upon arrival I would really have liked to have been offered a mint tea, or just water. I had left my home at 8.30 am and arrived at the Riad Zahra at 7 pm. All the travel went smoothly, no hitches, however a tiring day, nonetheless. A point of surprise was that no drinking water was offered in the room. Those the only negatives, everything else exceeded my expectations.

Friendly, good English, helpful whenever asked. 24 hour reception. Nice big pool. Quiet neighbourhood and hotel. Near beach, less than 5 min walk, but off the main front, so little traffic. Our room had a balcony, but not all rooms. We have 3 in a triple room but plenty of space, and couches to sit on round a table to play cards. Nice ensuite shower room.

We're here mid October , so temperature is fine, but no air conditioning in our room, which could be a problem in the height of summer? However stone floors so it might be fine. NB looking for possible problems as we didn't have any!

It was a beautiful place - very clean and comfortable, the pool and surrounding area included. The cleanliness really couldn't be beaten. The facilities were standard but very thoughtfully designed. The restaurant/breakfast service was very assiduous, as were the 'front of house' reception etc. We were very fortunate to have what I would consider the best view - it was great to see the sea and sky from our window. I loved the natural surrounds of the pool (bougainvilla, hibiscus, birds of paradise; lots of bird life including the beautiful song of the bulbul ; the tortoises!).

Nothing! The only thing which could have improved the room was the consistency of water temperature in the shower, but I appreciate this is just one of those things. Perhaps some fruit options with breakfast?

Nice big room, good bathroom, good breakfast, friendly staff and nice pool area, quiet location

The room was on the ground floor, which the hotel let me know when I booked, it was also beside reception and not the quietest. Part of staying in a Riad but a curtain the other side of the door would have helped minimise the noise of customers talking to guests. Also minor but there seemed to be only 1 or 2 hairdryer for the whole Riad so when I asked to use one there wasn’t one available and they couldn’t tell me when it would be so had wet hair for the evening. Not the biggest issue though.

The Riad is stunning, with a blend of traditional Moroccan and Spanish decor that showcases exceptional attention to detail. The interior features beautifully tiled staircases, arched windows, and intricate ironwork, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The central courtyard is particularly impressive, with vibrant plants, Moroccan lamps, and a well-curated collection of art that adds a personal touch. The building is immaculately clean, and every space is maintained to a high standard. The Spanish owners and the local staff, especially the kitchen and waiting team, are incredibly welcoming and attentive. I had the Christmas menu during my stay, and the food was exquisite—every dish was thoughtfully prepared and flavorful. Essaouira is a charming location, and this Riad perfectly complements its vibe. I can’t wait to return for a longer stay to further enjoy the ambiance and hospitality.

While the property itself is stunning and well-maintained, I found the reception staff to be a bit on the cooler side. Their demeanor lacked the warmth and friendliness that the rest of the team, particularly the owners and kitchen/waiting staff, demonstrated so well. A more welcoming attitude at reception would have enhanced the overall experience.

We were extremely impressed with Riad Zahra! The stunning decoration, the comfort of the rooms, the excellent cleanliness, and the delicious breakfast all exceeded our expectations. The service from every staff member was outstanding, from the warm welcome by the owners to the reception staff and the hardworking cleaning team. We were truly happy and delighted with both the Riad and our stay in Essaouira. We couldn't have chosen a better place to stay. The Riad is in a great location, just a short distance from the Medina. You can walk there (15m) or take a taxi for around 1 euro (10 dirhams). We highly recommend this Riad to everyone! When we return to Essaouira, we will definitely stay here again. A special thank you to the entire team for making us feel so welcome, with a special mention to Khamissa, our first host, who was incredibly kind and attentive, just like the rest of the interire staff and friendly owners. Thank you so much, and see you soon! Pedro e Naiara

Tranquil, spacious Riad with nice looking pool sheltered from the wind. Spacious rooms, with seating area and tables, and balconies.

They cater more for European style feel, albeit in that case still much better than your average hotels in Europe. But for example, instead of the typical Msemen, you'll get crepes, and the atmosphere and hospitality feels more professionally cool.. Only one type of marmalade not a choice is served at breakfast, and there seems little flexibility with times (concerning everything; from breakfast, to accessing tea or coffee, and to checking out). It is also on the expensive side. I didn´t use the pool because it was rather cold when I was there but that was just bad luck.