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Riad Zahra

Essaouira , 90, Rue Amira Lalla Meryem, Quartier Des Dunes (Show on Map)

8.7

Very Good

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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests

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Summary of reviewsRiad Zahra shines through its multifaceted appeal, making it a top choice for travelers seeking a blend of beachside relaxation and cultural immersion in Essaouira. Situated only steps away from the stunning beach, the riad offers guests the best of both worlds: a tranquil, seaside escape and easy access to Essaouira’s vibrant medina. The scenic 15-20 minute walk along the picturesque waterfront is a highlight for many, though readily available and inexpensive taxis provide a quicker route into town.

The accommodation scores high for its excellent facilities, including a well-maintained pool and a reputable restaurant. The breakfast experience is particularly notable, consistently praised for its quality, taste and Moroccan traditional elements, served efficiently either in the dining room or by the pool. Dinner at the in-house restaurant garners high praise, especially for its delectable seafood dishes and traditional fare like tajines and couscous. Guests often recommend experiencing at least one dinner at the riad, praising the fresh and delicious food.

The guest rooms are large, clean and well-decorated, offering a comfortable blend of traditional Moroccan decor and modern amenities. Features like balconies and sea views further enhance the experience. While a few reviews mention occasional noise and a lack of air conditioning, the overwhelming sentiment is positive, highlighting the pleasant and restful atmosphere.

Cleanliness is a recurring theme with spotless rooms, tidy interiors and a well-maintained pool area elevating the overall guest experience. The housekeeping staff are recognized for their professionalism and care, ensuring high standards are met throughout the property.

The staff stands out for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism with particular praise for the owners’ warm hospitality and the staff's language skills, which add a personal touch to the service.

Families find Riad Zahra especially appealing with its welcoming atmosphere and child-friendly environment. The family-run nature of the business ensures personalized attention and a homely feel, making it an excellent choice for family vacations.

Parking is another convenience that Riad Zahra offers with private, secure and free parking available directly in front of the establishment, enhancing the guest experience further by simplifying arrivals and departures.

Despite some mixed feedback on the Wi-Fi and the temperature of the unheated pool, the overall impression of Riad Zahra leans heavily towards being a delightful, comfortable and well-situated haven for travelers. The charming boutique style of the riad, complemented by its Victorian classic ambiance, rounds out a memorable stay, making Riad Zahra a well-loved destination in Essaouira.
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Hotel near The Beach

Located in Quartier des Dunes, this riad provides easy access to the beach and is known for its comfortable accommodations. The location in the dunes offers a tranquil beachside retreat.

Family Friendly Hotel

Riad Zahra is a family hotel with a calm atmosphere and a beautiful riad and rooms. It is located 20 minutes from Medina and features a great swimming pool.

Romantic Hotel

Known for its comfortable rooms and tranquil atmosphere, this riad is ideal for couples. The peaceful environment and personalized service enhance the romantic experience.

Hotel with Swimming Pool

The riad's pool is frequently praised for being an excellent amenity, offering a refreshing retreat amid the serene garden. Many guests highlight the spacious and clear waters of the pool, describing it as very large, beautiful and well-maintained.

Outdoor Pool

Location of the pool: Outdoor pool

Is it a pool of special type?

Sea / Salt water pool

Zero-edge pool

In the pool there is also:

an area designated for children

Hotel with Parking

This hotel features free parking, offering a convenient amenity for guests. Being located outside the immediate medina area enhances parking accessibility.

Hotel with Outdoor Pool

Boutique-style Hotel

Hotel for Honeymoon

Business Hotel

Room Types

Standard Double Room Decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, this room offers a satellite TV and bathroom with toilet and shower. This room cannot accommodate an extra bed.

Mini Suite Decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, this suite offers a satellite TV and bathroom with shower. It features a living room with sofa.

Room with Sea View Featuring a sea view, this room offers a satellite TV and bathroom with toilet and shower. This room cannot accommodate an extra bed.

Superior Room Decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, this spacious room offers a satellite TV and bathroom with toilet and shower.

About Riad Zahra

License: 44000MH0522

Guest Reviews

8.7

Very Good

Location

Riad Zahra boasts an excellent location for those seeking proximity to Essaouira's stunning beach while enjoying a peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. Situated just steps from the beach, guests can relish in the tranquility of the seaside while still having convenient access to the vibrant medina, which is a pleasant 15-20 minute walk along the picturesque waterfront. This makes it ideal for beach enthusiasts and those interested in water sports, such as kitesurfing, due to its closeness to the sea and surf spots.

The area is quiet and offers easy access to local amenities, beach bars and promenade activities such as camel and horseback riding. Although the medina is a bit of a distance from the property, the walk through a scenic seafront is often described as enjoyable and taxis are readily available and inexpensive for quicker trips into town. Additionally, the riad features excellent facilities including a pool and a restaurant, providing a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing stay. Overall, Riad Zahra is perfectly positioned for guests to enjoy both the serene beach setting and the cultural exploration of Essaouira’s old city.

Breakfast

Riad Zahra offers an outstanding breakfast experience, consistently praised by guests for its quality and taste. Multiple reviews highlight the delectable nature of the meals, describing them as delicious, fantastic and amazing. Traditional Moroccan elements are a staple with fresh baguettes, pancakes and a variety of egg dishes featured prominently. The breakfast is not only delicious but also ample and filling, served promptly and efficiently by attentive waitstaff.

While the breakfast is enjoyed either in the dining room or by the pool, some guests noted a preference for more variety and the inclusion of fresh fruits. Despite these minor suggestions, the breakfast is generally described as more than satisfactory with several reviewers mentioning it exceeds expectations. The serene pool area and pleasant location, close to the beach and a short walk from the Medina, enhance the dining experience, making breakfast at Riad Zahra a memorable start to the day.

Dinner

Riad Zahra offers a delightful dining experience with its in-house restaurant that has received high praise from guests for its quality and variety. The cozy restaurant has been noted for its exceptional and delicious cuisine, particularly its seafood dishes, which many reviewers have highlighted as a standout. Guests can enjoy well-cooked meals, ranging from traditional Moroccan fare like tajines and couscous to impressive rice dishes and the famous fish barbecue by the pool.

The restaurant is considered a great asset to Riad Zahra with many reviewers recommending at least one dinner there during a stay. Dinners have been mentioned as fresh, tasty and served with friendly service, often by the poolside. The paella, in particular, has been described as magnificent and the seafood platter has been called sensational.

While the menu is praised for its delicious and varied options, some guests have noted that it might not be suitable for children or those who prefer a lot of variety. However, the overall consensus is that the quality of the meals is high with the food being a real delight and considered some of the best in Morocco.

For those staying at Riad Zahra, dining on-site provides the dual benefit of convenience and an opportunity to savor excellent cuisine without needing to venture out.

Rooms

Riad Zahra receives praise for its spacious and clean rooms that offer both comfort and a pleasant stay. Guests highlight the rooms as being large, comfortable and well-decorated, often mentioning tasteful furnishings and traditional Moroccan decor. The beds and pillows also receive positive mentions for their comfort, contributing to a restful sleep. Cleanliness is consistently emphasized with frequent compliments on immaculate and well-maintained premises.

Some rooms have notable features such as balconies and sea views, further enhancing the experience. Additionally, the structure itself is described as charming and immersive, adding to the overall ambiance. Despite a few comments about mustiness, occasional noise and the lack of air conditioning, the majority of reviews focus on the positive aspects of room cleanliness, spaciousness and comfort.

In summary, Riad Zahra impresses with its spacious, clean and well-decorated rooms, making it a comfortable choice for travelers seeking a blend of traditional decor and modern comfort.

Beds

Riad Zahra offers a varied experience when it comes to its beds. Many guests have highlighted the comfort of the bedding, describing the beds as very comfortable with supportive mattresses. The rooms are often praised for their overall comfort, enhancing the experience.

However, there are some mixed opinions regarding the size and firmness of the beds. A few visitors found the beds small and the mattresses either too firm or too soft, which affected their comfort. The bedding itself has been noted to include heavy blankets or wool blankets instead of modern duvets, which might not appeal to everyone.

Despite these differences, the general consensus leans towards a positive experience with a considerable number of guests enjoying comfy and supportive beds, ensuring a restful stay at the Riad Zahra.

Cleanliness

Riad Zahra impresses with its impeccable cleanliness, which guests frequently highlight as a standout feature. The hotel maintains spotlessly clean rooms, well-tidy interiors and a clean and well-maintained pool area. Housekeeping staff are noted for their professionalism and care, ensuring that rooms and bedding are refreshed daily and the overall sanitation of the hotel couldn't be better.

The aesthetic appeal of Riad Zahra is also frequently mentioned with tasteful decorations and a beautiful, spacious ambiance that enhances the guest experience. Management and staff are repeatedly praised for their friendliness and attentiveness, ensuring that cleanliness standards are consistently met. Despite a couple of minor complaints about isolated smells and run-down furniture, the general consensus leans heavily toward positivity, reflecting a well-managed and welcoming environment.

Additionally, Riad Zahra is well-located and provides excellent value for money, rounding out a pleasant stay with an emphasis on comfort, proximity to the ocean and a warm welcome from the team.

Staff

Riad Zahra has garnered significant praise for its staff, who are frequently described as friendly, welcoming and professional. Guests consistently mention the warm, helpful nature of the staff with many highlighting their attentiveness and readiness to assist. The owners, including Xavier and his family, are noted for their kindness and availability, often contributing to a lovely atmosphere. The positive interactions with the personnel extend to all levels, from reception to waitstaff, ensuring a consistently pleasant and accommodating experience. The staff's language skills, including speaking perfect Italian, add to the overall high-quality service, making visitors feel well-taken care of during their stay. This combination of friendliness, professionalism and personalized attention creates a hospitable environment that leaves a lasting impression.

Wi-Fi

The wifi experience at Riad Zahra garnered mixed feedback from guests. Positive remarks highlight good and reliable connections, particularly noting that the Wi-Fi worked great and there were no issues encountered by some guests. However, several reviews point out areas for improvement. Some guests found the internet service slow, unreliable or weak, particularly in certain rooms where the signal didn't reach properly or was intermittent. Specific mentions of slow WiFi, bad internet and weak but stable connections also surfaced. Despite these inconsistencies, occasional commendations indicate that the Wi-Fi service can be sufficient and functional under the right conditions.

Pool

The pool at Riad Zahra is frequently praised for being an excellent amenity, offering a refreshing retreat amid the serene garden. Many guests highlight the spacious and clear waters of the pool, describing it as very large, beautiful and well-maintained. The surrounding areas are noted to be lovely and peaceful, providing a great place to relax, especially after a day at the beach.

A notable feature is the cleanliness with mentions of the pool being cleaned daily. Towels are available, adding to the convenience. Families appreciate the cozy pool atmosphere, although it can be a bit challenging with very young children.

However, while the pool's appearance and maintenance receive high marks, several guests point out that it is not heated and can be quite cold. This has made the pool unusable for some, particularly during cooler weather. Despite this, the overall positive sentiment indicates that the pool is a significant asset to the hotel experience, offering a pleasant spot to unwind.

Beach

Riad Zahra boasts an enviable location for beach enthusiasts, being just steps away from the sandy shores of the sea. The hotel is situated next to or a very short walk from the beach with some guests noting as little as a 2-minute walk. The beachfront location is ideal and offers easy access to various beach activities, including camel and horseback riding, as well as popular water sports like kitesurfing and windsurfing. Nearby beach bars enhance the coastal experience, allowing visitors to enjoy the fresh ocean air and the cries of seagulls. The clean, spacious rooms of the Riad complement the pristine beach environment, making it perfect for those seeking a seaside getaway. Despite being a bit on the outskirts of the main city, the hotel’s proximity to the beach and a short 10-minute walk to the medina make it a convenient and appealing choice for travelers.

Parking

Riad Zahra offers a highly convenient parking experience that impresses many guests. The hotel provides private, secure parking directly in front of the establishment, making it exceptionally easy for visitors to park their cars or motorcycles. Guests consistently found available parking spots right at the front door, appreciating the ease and security this adds to their stay. Notably, parking is free of charge, adding excellent value. The parking convenience extends even further, as the location allows for straightforward access to the beach. Overall, the availability of parking at Riad Zahra significantly enhances the guest experience, simplifying arrivals and departures.

Family

Riad Zahra stands out as a perfect destination for a family vacation, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere that caters well to families. The family-run business, led by Xavier and his kind, attentive family, ensures that all guests feel at home. The hospitality extends to every corner of the Riad with the owners always willing to provide helpful advice and fulfill specific requests, such as providing a heater when needed.

Children will find the hotel particularly charming with parents noting that even fussy eaters had their needs met, thanks to the menu’s variety that includes fresh fish options. The clean, child-friendly environment contributes to a pleasant stay, making it evident why many families, including those with kids, had a wonderful time. The familiar and very welcoming vibe of Riad Zahra makes it an exceptional choice for a family-friendly stay in every sense.

Outdoor Pool

The outdoor pool at Riad Zahra has received considerable praise from guests for its appealing features and pleasant ambiance. Nestled in the garden, the pool is described as wonderful and its well-maintained, private nature adds to its charm. The pool area is noted for being nice and offers amenities such as towels for convenience. Guests have consistently highlighted the pool as lovely, beautiful, amazing and good. Additionally, its clean and clear condition is frequently mentioned, ensuring a hygienic swimming experience. The pool is large and spacious, providing ample space for relaxation and enjoyment. The surroundings enhance the experience further, offering a pleasant setting next to the beach, which allows for outdoor activities and a wind-sheltered environment. Overall, the outdoor pool at Riad Zahra stands out as a key feature, contributing to the pleasant atmosphere of the hotel.

Boutique-Style

Riad Zahra is a charming boutique hotel that captures the essence of traditional village life while offering a Victorian classic style. This beautiful old riad exudes the charm of days gone by and is known for its lovely and cozy atmosphere. Located in a quiet neighborhood, the hotel features a fine pool area and authentically friendly service. The interior is carefully selected, boasting exquisite paintings and decor, ensuring a beautiful and clean environment. Overall, Riad Zahra provides an authentic boutique ambiance that is both welcoming and timeless.

Yes, Riad Zahra has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool. For more information, read the answers to the Pool questionnaire

No, a spa isn't available at Riad Zahra.

No, Riad Zahra doesn't allow dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at Riad Zahra.

No, Riad Zahra doesn't have a gym.

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