Ryad Watier in Essaouira

Such a lovely riad in the heart of the medina set on a quiet street. Big beautiful rooms, spotlessly clean too. The most friendly and helpful staff and a great breakfast each morning. All round a great place to stay!

A beautiful Riad in the medina of Essaouira. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. The delicious breakfast gets served on the rooftop. I can recommend this also to solo women travelers, as it’s very safe and centrally located.

Fabulous location in the heart of Essaouira with easy access to a multitude of restaurants, cafes and shops and within an easy walk to the beach, port and ramparts. Ryan Watier is stylish with lots of interesting art and artefacts, lovely communal spaces and is spotlessly clean. Our room was large, very comfortable and had a charming terrace. The all female staff were so helpful especially Fatiha and Hyatt who were an invaluable source of help and advice. Breakfast was beautifully fresh and included fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice, eggs anyway, pancakes and fresh bread served in a rooftop room. Adjacent to that was a lovely terrace available for sun bathing weather permitting. Used the spa for a hammam which was a brilliant experience

Down a tiny alleyway on rue Ceuta (according to the map) or rue Sebta, (according to the signs) you will find Riad Watier. Named after the French engineer credited with stopping the dunes encroaching on Essaouira (something he achieved in part by planting eucalyptus trees, which you can still see on the approach to the city), Riad Watier has an airy, bohemian atmosphere, entirely in keeping with the vibe of Essaouira’s historic medina. Blue and white dominate the colour scheme, like in the rest of Essaouira. The walls are adorned with art that adds to the atmosphere. Our room on the first floor was spacious and nicely furnished with a sofa and coffee table as well as a bed, and lots of books (in French and English - and there are many more downstairs in the riad’s cosy library). The well-pressed cotton sheets were incredibly comfortable. The location is ideal if you want to explore the medina, the fishing port and the beach. Note that you can’t drive right up to the hotel — something to consider if you have mobility issues, though there are porters who will help you with your baggage. It’s also worth considering that it’s an old building with steep stairs and no lift (though here as well the staff will help you with your luggage). The all-female staff were welcoming and gave some excellent lunch and dinner recommendations (among them Love by Caravane, with excellent food and cabaret - worth a try), and were very helpful in booking tables. Breakfast is served in a lovely room next to the roof terrace. All the typical Moroccan breakfast foods - yoghurt, fruit, honey, various flatbreads and pancakes - were included. All in all, a lovely, characterful base for exploring Essaouira.

What stands out among all the excellence is the warmth of the staff! The rooms are very spacious and the whole riad has great character and art. The rooftop terrace was a great place for breakfast and the enjoy the views!

Warm welcome from the staff and owner and excellent suggestions for activities, food, and shopping. Very accommodating and great location.

We just loved the Ryad Watier. From the moment we arrived and were greeted by Hayat and Fatiha with their warm welcoming smiles and attitude to hospitality, we knew we were in the perfect place. The decor of the interior is so thoughtfully and stylishly designed; from the carpets, the lights, the tiles, the furnishings, the crisp white bedlinen and the fluffy white towels. There is a wonderful roof terrace, where a superb breakfast is served by Nezha and loungers where you can relax before or after a day out. The staff are all so kind and go out of their way to make your stay as comfortable as possible. We had a hammam and massage in the Ryad, which was simply divine. The Ryad Watier is perfect and that is largely down to the wonderful women who work here.

Our stay was incredible. The staff were warm and helpful. The riad was clean and comfortable with wonderful amenities - like a fantastic breakfast on a beautiful rooftop patio and a spa on site - and beautiful art and decor. It was a true joy. Please note cars can’t get to the Riad so you need to arrange a cart to take your bags (paid) or walk with your luggage ~ 8 minutes from the drop off at city walls.

What a fabulous find Ryad Watier is! Nothing was too much trouble for the team that runs it - they were so hospitable and helpful. It was like being in someone's home. Breakfast was delicious and tailored to your needs. We ended our visit with a hammam and massage which was perfect after over two weeks in Morocco. Would highly recommend such a fantastic place to stay - absolutely first class

A mere review cannot fully describe how lovely our experience at this riad was. Hayat, Fatiha and Nezha truly put so much soul into caring for their guests and go above and beyond for any simple request.
Stay here if you find yourself in Essaouira.