following our visit to marrakech we rented a car and headed west for our final days to be spent seaside. after an easy 3 hour drive through the argan country we arrived in essaouira, a port city on the atlantic coast with white walls, chill vibes and interesting history. we welcomed the cooler temps, and KP was happy to know that the strong trade-winds make their crescent beach a popular place for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. 

WHERE WE STAYED: 
villa maroc exceeded all expectations – we could not believe how perfect this place is. tucked on the outskirts of essaouira's small medina, the hotel literally feels like a tiny castle. the atmosphere is constantly warm and intimate with always-lit candles + fireplaces and fresh flowers from their other property, jardin de villa maroc [where they offer free day trips 15 minutes away to enjoy their pool and olive grove]. one of my favorite things about villa maroc is that it's actually four connected 18th century riads covered in moroccan textiles and ceramics, yet has a very refreshing white crisp feel. there is no true common area, rather a mix of 6 or 7 extremely comfy little nooks where you are welcomed to read, hang out, eat dinner or just enjoy the sound of the wood burning fire. the restaurant serves breakfast on the roof terrace daily [included with your stay, and it's not to be missed!] they also offer a casual three-course dinner each night with a constantly changing menu. we admittedly ate here for dinner both nights and did not leave often because of how cozy & comfortable we felt. rooms start at about $100/night. 

WHAT WE DID:
this town is small. it's easy to cover in two days, but more is certainly not too many if you're looking to relax.
the water: rent surf boards down the beach at explora and grab espresso or beers afterwards at beach and friends | fancy a camel ride on the beach? there are a ton of options to choose from
to eat & drink: patisserie chez driss for morning coffee and local moroccan pastries | elizir for dinner | taros for a drink | le patio d'essaouira for a drink | restaurant café des arts to see live gnaoua music
to shop: essaouira was my favorite place to shop. haggling didn't really exist and things cost what they cost. it was a refreshing change of pace and we were able to pick up a few last minute souvenirs before our departure.
 

^^ on our way home we were ecstatic to see one of the famous "goat trees" along the side of the road. these goats happily climb right on up to munch on argan nuts & leaves, it was so fun to witness in person. 

* this stay was part of a collaboration, all opinions are my own. 

marrakech was our second to last stop in morocco and we were looking for a cozy place that was near the action – but not too near the action. riad is a term you'll hear often in morocco, meaning a traditional moroccan house [or palace] with an interior garden or courtyard. you'll find them everywhere, some more special than others. zamzam is one of those special ones – it really, really feels like home the moment you step through their doors.

our taxi dropped us as far as the road would take him and we were pleasantly greeted by faysal, the evening manager, on his motor bike. he walked us through the small streets where only pedestrian and bikes are allowed, into a quiet cozy neighborhood where zamzam is tucked. the riad is a bit hard to find, i'll admit, but that also made it fun and faysal gave us tips on how to always find our way back. after a mint tea in the open air courtyard we were shown to our room which was so tastefully covered in classic moroccan decor. everything about it was comfortable and we also peeped our heads into a few other rooms, and loved seeing how unique and special each one is. 

some of our favorite things about zamzam were: the exceptionally warm staff, the roof terrace, the delicious breakfast included with each night's stay [french pressed coffee, moroccan pancakes, fresh fruit, eggs], the well-priced traditional hammam offered in their spa, the homey vibes and the fact that it was off the beaten path, yet walking distance to almost anything [the main market is only 10 minutes away on foot].  rooms start at about $100/night. 

and if you're visiting morocco for a longer time, zamzam also has a desert & beach camp that we are so eager to visit, however we just barely missed their opening date [october]. camp adounia offers many retreats and packages that you can read a little more about here and here. channeling the peace and serenity we felt at zamzam now!
 

* this stay was part of a collaboration, all feelings and opinions are my own.