VILLA GARANCE

Our stay was wonderful, the hotel is very comfortable in the heart of the city. Walking distance to the port and beach located in the heart of the medina. The staff and owner were welcoming and very accommodating. We had breakfast in the rooftop with views of the city. Great place to stay.

We booked a room last-minute, but still the experience was a very positive one. Prime location in the medina. The rooms and the whole villa itself are delightful. The roof terrace is great and the staff are very helpful.

We spent three perfect days at Villa Garance. The room was very spacious and nicely decorated as was the whole house. We absolutely loved our breakfasts on the rooftop terrace as well as the Moroccan homemade meals in the evenings. As we have choosy kids the cook was very willing to prepare dinners according to our requests. The staff was super friendly and kind. We would love to come back again soon.

First visit in Essaouira for 2 nights, and luckily French friends from Paris deeply advised us to book Villa Garance for our too short stay. First, have a 3 nights break: 2 is too short. Second, enjoy all "ingredients" you are always expecting when travelling: - 1) Location: wonderful because it is inside the Medina, very close to bars, restaurants, and of course, close to the beach! Just walk... - 2) Riad: really nice place, comfortable, friendly, cosy and with a lot of space. Our bedroom was big, shower large enough, nicely decorated. And of course, we slept very well. For breakfast and tea time, enjoy the terrace, especially what we named the "VIP Lounge" (table with sofa for a family of 5 to 6) in a corner); again, great!!! - 3) the food: yes, Villa Garance provides good breakfast (bread and crepes are baked on location), and delicious dinner you can order. Let Khadija taking care of you: she is a great cooker. We experienced 2 dinners (one Tajine and one couscous). Should you be interested in having some cooking lessons, Khadija will provide them very friendly. My 3 kids cooked and went to the spice shop with Khadija. 4) Relaxing: Are you on holiday for relaxing' Let Alima taking care of you through massage, sauna, and all sorts of SPA services you will appreciate. I experienced a one hour massage while my wife tried a 2h30 body scrub/sauna/massage. Alima is really fine, discreet and so efficient! - 5) Warm welcome by the team It is very important to be warmly welcomed and having high level of service. The owners Marie-Jo and Pierre-Henry, together with Khadija, Alima and the others members are a professional team. They serve their clients warmly, and they paid attention to our needs, including our transfer from Marrakech Airport to their Riad in Essaouira, in a comfortable aircond van for 7 people. We required the same driver to return to Marrakech. So ask Mohammed if you want to enjoy your 2h30 minutes trip. It was a stay we really enjoyed. That is the reason why I really wish to share such expérience. For your next stay, I deeply recommend Villa Garance. It is like a home you share for a time. Enjoy your next trip to Essaouira there!!!

Essaouira is often experienced as a day trip from Marrakech, but that short-changes this small, refreshing fishing port/resort town, which is well worth an overnight. There's no better place to park oneself while exploring Essaouira's pleasures than Villa Garance. The small hotel is centrally located, on a side street off the main shopping street. It's a short walk to the large, sandy beach, or the area where the fishing boats land their catch and buyers snatch up the freshest. The place abounds in small stalls selling freshly-cooked fish dinners, as well as more formal restaurants. There are many tourists, mostly from western Europe, but it's a working port, and not the least hokey. Villa Garance is owned by a charming French couple, who speak good English and work to ensure their guests' every comfort. Lavish meals are served on the rooftop terrace, with a view of the sea and much of the town. The rooms are clean and well-appointed. Can't imagine Essaouira offers anything more enjoyable.