Riad Dar Maya

Set is one of Morocco’s most popular coastal domestic tourism destinations, Essaouira, is the laid back and gorgeous Riad Dar Maya. As a luxury boutique hotel housing a limited number of rooms, Riad Dar Maya offers an impeccable level of service and sense of exclusivity that only small luxury hotels can provide. Tucked away down a quiet side laneway, but less than a minute from Essaouira’s main street, Riad Dar Maya gives its guests a sense of tranquility amongst the hustle and bustle of the beachside town.

Top Tips

• Being the epitome of exclusive luxury, Riad Dar Maya only has 5 rooms, each of which is named after one of the 5 elements in nature. All the rooms are gorgeous and equally well appointed, so your choice of room really just comes down to how many stairs you can tolerate. If you can’t see yourself climbing lots of stairs everyday, then we recommend booking the room on the first floor. That being said, previous guests have mentioned and raved about the top floor room. Pro tip: if you have your heart set on one particular room, it would be best to book it well in advance of your stay to avoid disappointment.  

• If you or anyone you’re travelling with has mobility issues, you may want to reconsider staying at Riad Dar Maya. Although the staff will do everything in their power to ensure a comfortable stay, the property is unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. There are no ground floor rooms and the house is tall and steep, so navigating some stairs is unavoidable.

• Because Riad Dar Maya prides itself on the peace and tranquility it offers to its guests, it may not be the best fit for families travelling with young children. Given the sleek décor, elegant rooms, steep staircases and generally quiet atmosphere, Riad Dar Maya is very much an escape meant for grown-ups. That being said, well behaved children over the age of 12 are welcome (please note: they may need to stay in their own rooms, as maximum occupancy for each room is 2 people).

• A riad is never really complete without a hammam. Lucky for you, Riad Dar Maya operate with this philosophy. The in-house hammam and beauty treatments are for the exclusive use of the hotel’s guests by arrangement. After a long day walking through the streets of Essaouira, why not go for a scrub in the traditional marble hammam, and then pamper yourself with in-room massage or beauty treatments with our own fully trained specialist. There is also a heated dip-pool on the terrace for your enjoyment.

• Essaouira is basically the laid-back, coastal cousin of Marrakech. While you may not find the same level of electric energy here as you would in the Jemaa El Fnaa, what you will find is all of Morocco’s popular merchandise within Essaouira’s compact, easily navigable medina, along with local specialities such as thuya wood, vibrant local art, raffia shoes and organic argan oil. Although the winds that sweep through Essaouira throughout the year make it nearly impossible to relax at the beach, the endless number of side streets filled with crafts, cafes and cheap eats should keep you happily occupied.