Illustrative photo of the region — the property's own gallery is on the booking page.

A countryside ksar-style retreat twenty minutes from Essaouira, with two heated pools and a kitchen garden feeding its own restaurants.

Le Jardin Des Douars sits in the hills above the Oued Ksob valley, twenty minutes outside Essaouira and sheltered from the coastal wind that defines the town itself. Built in fortified-village (ksar) style, it spreads thirty-one rooms, suites and private villas across botanical gardens, with two heated pools, a full hammam spa, and wellness classes from yoga to breathwork.

Its own organic garden supplies both restaurants, and the property doubles as a popular wedding venue — worth knowing if you want a quieter stay. For a couple of nights out of the medina, tied together with an ecotourism and hiking programme in the surrounding hills, it's the most complete countryside option near Essaouira.

Why we chose it

• Two heated pools set in extensive botanical gardens, sheltered from the Atlantic wind
• A working organic garden that supplies both on-site restaurants
• Thirty-one rooms, suites and private villas, most with their own terrace

Amenities

• Two heated swimming pools
• Hammam spa and wellness classes
• Two restaurants supplied by an on-site organic garden
• Extensive botanical gardens

Getting there

Le Jardin Des Douars is in Essaouira, 15–20 minutes from Essaouira Mogador Airport (ESU). From here, Essaouira's highlights are within reach, including Walk the Skala de la Ville ramparts, Skala du Port and the fishing harbour and Watch thuya-wood marquetry being made — see the full Essaouira guide for more on what to see nearby.

Frequently asked questions