The Heure Bleue is a traditional riad, situated in the Essaouira medina, restored to a very high level to merit its Relais & Chateau status.
Hidden behind huge oak doors, L’heure Bleue is an upmarket Relais & Châteaux riad with an unusual history. Originally a 19th century palace for Essaouira’s governor, it then existed only as a simple traveller’s stop-off until 2004, when a wholesale restoration installed an opulent colonial style. Now the place feels more members club, less hotel: an island of sophistication and style deep inside the whitewashed walls of Morocco’s hippie city.
ROOMS: The 16 rooms and 19 suites are variously decorated in African, Portuguese, colonial English, Oriental and African styles; exotic menageries of carvings, rich fabrics, lamps and wood-shuttered windows. All have air-conditioning and fireplaces, and all look onto the courtyard’s palm trees and day-beds. First-floor rooms are quieter and brighter; suites boast bath tubs. Wherever you sleep, the sound of the ever-crashing ocean lends a restful air.
FACILITIES: Along with the great service, an unusually wide range of common areas – bar, library, billiards room – raise this bolthole above the ordinary. Those, and the heated rooftop pool and terrace, a stunning perch above the UNESCO-protected old town. Make sure to have a scrub, massage or hammam in the Zen Ritual spa before settling down to dinner – zesty Moroccan or international (mainly French) cuisine, with fresh seafood a speciality.
MORE INFO: Wi-Fi’s available throughout. For active types, the hotel can arrange quad-biking, windsurfing and kitesurfing; for inactive types, there’s a home cinema room and DVD library.
The Lawrence of Morocco map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
L'heure Bleue - we loved the colonial feel of the hotel. The staff were gracious and professional and clearly felt proud of their hotel - quite justifiably. Our room was quite small but that didn't bother us - the girls' twin bedded room was on the corner so was quite a lot larger (think they secretly quite enjoyed that!) The rooftop pool/terrace was stunning. Fresh orange juice was tantalisingly being freshly squeezed by a lady, and then taken round to the tables.
Sara R who stayed here in February 2025.
Heure Bleue - Relais & Châteaux, Essaouira has been rated 1 time, with an overall rating of 4.00 out of 5.
We really know Morocco and have had the pleasure of making many people's dream trips become reality over the years. It has been our privilege to be asked to manage holidays, weddings and productions for so many fantastic and discerning clients. We remain small and dedicated to providing excellent honest advice to enable you to sit back, relax and enjoy the fun bits without having to manage the unpredictability of this fascinating country.
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