Review: Le Jardin Des Douars, Essaouira, Morocco

Le Jardin des Douars is the perfect place to unwind when visiting Essaouira. Located in the hills about a 5 minute drive from the city centre, Le Jardin des Douars looks like a palace. Surrounded by wonderful gardens this is truly a luxurious gem with secluded accommodation and terraces overlooking the Ksob river. You can see straight away that it was created by a French couple as a mix of Moroccan and French culture is entwined throughout the hotel even to the food. 

Location: Coined the ‘Wind City of Africa’ the beach is not the place to relax but there are plenty of water sports to try your hand at. The main Medina of Essaouira contains vast amounts of alleyways and small streets filled with art galleries, shops, restaurants and boutique cafes. 

Nearest Airport: Essaouria, is only 15 minutes away from Le Jardin des Douars, with shuttle service available. Flights from London Luton with Easyjet run twice a week on Saturdays and Tuesdays; and its only three hours to fly or a two hour drive from Marrakesh, so perfect for a long weekend.

Rooms: Each of the rooms are located within traditional Moroccan houses dotted around the beautiful grounds of the hotel. You get an instant feeling of calm and tranquility when entering your room for the first time. Do not expect modern luxuries here but instead embrace the tradition Moroccan feel of your room.  

There are a wide range of rooms and suites available to cater to your requirements. I stayed in the Luxe Room which is perfect for couples. There are six of these rooms in total which includes a king sized bed, an amazing bath big set into the floor of the bathroom, shower and even a working traditional fireplace if you are visiting during the chillier months. You get your own private terrace, air-conditioning and a hair dryer - which is always a requirement for the boyfriend. 

The rate for the deluxe room including the ‘Royal breakfast’ is around £160 per night in high season.

Facilities/Activities on site:

Take a dip: There are two stunning swimming pools within the grounds of this boutique hotel on opposite sides. This is very handy as one of the pools if for adults only which means guests without children can relax whilst families do not feel like they are disturbing others. The pools are heated which is great, when I went to Greece last year it was so hot outside but the pool was absolutely freezing and I couldn’t even use it!

Relax: We stayed in Morocco for three nights and it was one of the most relaxing long weekends I have ever had. My time was spent relaxing by the pool reading my favourite book, going for a dip in the pool followed by amazing food and occasionally popping into Essaouira to wonder around the bustling Medina. 

Spa: I booked myself into the Hammam spa, I had the traditional skin exfoliation Hamman with perfumed black soap which lasted around 30 minutes and cost £30. I did not know what to expect from a Hammam Spa but you basically lie on marble in a romantically lit room it is a must do if you visit Morocco.

Explore Essaouira: The hotel offers shuttles to Essaouira’s historic Medina and the local harbour. It is very similar to the markets you will see on the TV in Marrakesh but on a smaller scale. Get ready to barter and try to relax when being approached by the the local tradesmen to take a look at their goods. We did not experience any problems with the locals and in fact they were amazingly polite and friendly at all times. The artwork, crafts and fabrics were amazing to look at so do not be afraid to get lost in the alleyways. We ended up at the rooftop bar Toros to watch the sunset over the medieval town and coastline.

Food & Drink: The food is served at the main building in the complex and most of the time we made use of the beautiful outdoor terrace.

Breakfast is included within the cost of the room and is presented in a buffet style. All food is completely fresh. You can have a wide variety of fruits and cereals along with freshly squeezed orange juice and teas. They also offer an a la carte option, where you can order Moroccan pancakes, eggs of any variety or French toast.

For Lunch the hotel offers a wide selection of fresh salads, burgers, fish and Moroccan cuisine. We had the fresh Tuna Nicoise salad which was amazing and a healthy beetroot and goats cheese plate, made from local produce. 

In the evening, there is a new specials menu everyday which offers traditional Moroccan dishes. This is accompanied by the normal a la carte menu offering a wide range of options. We have to say the food was excellent and a major highlight for us was the succulent Lamb Tagine special. There is also an extensive drinks menu on offer. 

Tips:As this resort is a litter far out from life you may decide to hire a car for a little exploration. 

To book Le Jardin Des Douars, click here.

View Full Post

10 Things to do in Essaouira, Morocco

Essaouira is a charming seaside town on the North coast of Morocco. Although more laid back than the capital Marrakesh, it still has a lot to offer for a long weekend away. So here is a list of the top 10 things to do whilst visiting Essaouira:

1. Visit the Medina - The Medina is home to hundreds of winding alleyways bursting with vibrant shops and people. There is a constant bustle here with street performers at every turn, locals asking you to sample their fabrics or homemade craft works and on the streets outside there are cafes filled with visitors drinking tea or sampling the local cuisine. Spend a few hours wondering the streets taking everything in and then finish by watching the sunset on the beach front. The lovely thing about Essaouira is you do not get hassled to buy products compared to other locations.
2. Water Sports - The Essaouira coast is a Mecca for people wanting to get into the sea for a spot of wind based activities and surfing. The winds are notoriously high in this area and therefore the surf is usually pretty good. The sea can be quite rough so make sure you are an experienced swimmer. Equipment can be rented from a number of surf shops along the sea front.
3. Horse/Camel Riding - The high winds have created sweeping dunes just off the coast and therefore why don’t you get on the back of one of these hoofed animals and ride into the sunset.
4. Eat - Moroccan food is fantastic and being a seaside town, the seafood is even better. Make sure to try a variety of tajines as well as all the seafood you can get your hands on. Some local recommendations would be:M Beach where you can have a bottle of wine on the beach on a luxurious lounger. Another location for some tapas and cocktails would be Taros within the media walls, this lively location is on the roof top which is the perfect setting to listen to a live band!
5. Hiking - There are a variety of hikes available to book with a tour guide. The local countryside is home to a variety of wildlife and fantastic scenery. Hikes can be organised for beginners right through to the seasoned professionals.
6. Cycling - The local area is pretty flat and therefore there are a lot of cyclists on the road. The wind keeps the temperature down and the scenery is beautiful. 
7. Golf - There are a number of high quality golf courses in the area and you can play 18 holes with your own caddie, clubs and buggy for around £100 pounds. 
8. Cooking - Why not try your hand at the many cooking classes in the local area to hone your traditional Moroccan cooking skills. 
9. Spa - Make sure to try a spa treatment whilst in Morocco at a traditional Hamman. 
10. Relax - Most importantly… RELAX! The boutique hotels in the area surrounding the main town and a short ride outside are all designed for relaxation. My personal recommendation would be Jardin Des Douars, an article will be live soon with all the details! Sun, Food, Spa & Sleep are the orders of the day. Go on, you deserve a rest!

View Full Post