Villa Margaux

Inside the medina walls on Rue Ahmed Haroun, Villa Margaux occupies a riad-style house built around a tiled inner courtyard, a quiet counterpoint to the souks a few minutes' walk away. It suits couples and families wanting a calm base within Essaouira's ramparts rather than a beachfront resort.

Rooms open onto the courtyard or a shared terrace, with air conditioning, safes, and bathtubs standard. The in-house spa runs Turkish steam baths alongside foot and back massage, useful after a day walking the coastal windsurfing spots nearby.

Airport shuttle and 24-hour front desk cover arrivals at any hour, and the on-site coffee house doubles as a low-key common room for guests.