Riad Mellah

An 18th-century merchant house in Essaouira's mellah quarter, Riad Mellah keeps its original cedar-beamed ceilings and central patio fountain behind a plain Rue Tafilalt facade. Rooms open onto the courtyard rather than the street, keeping traffic noise out.

A rooftop terrace catches Atlantic wind off the ramparts, useful for the afternoon tea service laid there daily. The fish souk and port sit five minutes on foot, past the Skala gate.

The medina's car-free lanes make the riad better suited to travellers arriving on foot or by petit taxi than by rental car.