Dar Maya

The Moroccan riad is a hotel genre inherently packed with character — sometimes, if you’re sensitive to over-decorated spaces, a little too much character. Most of them could learn a lot from the tranquil Riad Dar Maya, whose airy, pared-down rooms are a breath of fresh air, both proverbial and literal. From the moment you arrive, greeted with fresh Moroccan pastries and a cool drink, Dar Maya’s soothing, laid-back hospitality begins to take effect, producing an easy calm that seems to wash over the entire coastal city of Essaouira.

Like its hometown, the riad’s exteriors are awash in white, though warm lighting in the rooms and a series of shaded public spaces keep it from getting too blinding. Rather than drowning in pillows and silks, you’ll find yourself soaking in a massive marble bathtub; each of the five rooms has one. Some also come with private balconies or terraces, the better for taking in the breezes off the Atlantic, though the best views of all are found on the shared roof terrace, which overlooks the the rooftops and minarets of the surrounding medina, and the ocean beyond.

That terrace is one of several dining areas, meals at the riad being a treat wherever you take them. Service is in that famously warm Moroccan vein, while their approach to the food translates well in any language: keep it fresh, local and in season, with an emphasis on whatever the local fishermen are catching that day. Should you wish to get out on the water yourself, the town’s famous beaches are an easy trip, and the hotel can arrange anything from kite surfing to horseback riding to a seaside round of golf.


How to get there:
Dar Maya is located 17.6 km from Essaouira Airport.