Heure Bleue Palais is a traditional riad inside the old medina of Essaouira, the Atlantic port once known as Mogador. It feels like a private house from another century. Rooms open off a planted central courtyard where breakfast is served, and the public rooms run to a billiards room, a cinema and a colonial-style bar lit by glass lamps. Up on the roof, a terrace and swimming pool look out over the medina. The 33 rooms and suites follow four design schemes, African, Portuguese, English and Oriental, and all have king-size beds and deep bathtubs. A small spa sits within the house. The kitchen, led by chef Ahmed Handour, cooks Moroccan-inspired dishes, and the restaurants and bars stay open until 11:00 p.m., so dinner in can easily stretch into a late drink. Essaouira itself is quieter than Marrakech, a town of surf beaches, a working harbour and lanes made for slow walks, and the riad is a calm base from which to see it. The hotel belongs to Relais & Châteaux.
- Rooms
- 33 rooms and suites
Insider tip Ask for a table on the rooftop terrace at sunset, then walk out into the medina once the evening cools.
Why I choose it We choose Heure Bleue Palais for travellers who want Essaouira at its most atmospheric, with a riad that feels like a private house and a rooftop pool above the medina.