Les Jardins de Villa Maroc: Morocco’s Most Peaceful Hideaway
Just ten kilometres from the Atlantic coast of Essaouira, nestled quietly among Argan and Tuya trees in the Swiri countryside, Les Jardins de Villa Maroc offers something few places truly can: stillness. It’s the kind of place where time doesn’t just slow down—it stretches out, warm and golden, like the late afternoon sun over olive groves.
A sister property to the iconic Villa Maroc in the heart of Essaouira’s medina, Les Jardins blends traditional Moroccan hospitality with modern eco-conscious design. You won’t find glitz here—what you’ll find is soul. Eleven softly curved Ecodomes dot the landscape, built over three painstaking years using traditional techniques and natural materials. Each dome feels like a sanctuary: naturally cool, soothingly quiet, and thoughtfully equipped. Inside, smooth walls curve gently around cosy beds, earthy textures, and arched alcoves. Step outside and you’ll find a gorgeous shared courtyard, perfect for reading, resting, or simply listening to the wind in the trees.
When we arrived, the heat was climbing past 37 degrees, but we were met with a tall glass of chilled mint lemonade—refreshing and simple, like everything here. We dipped into the pool before lunch, the water shimmering against the stone, while the hills around us stood still under the afternoon sun.
Lunch was served poolside: a Moroccan buffet rich with flavour and generosity. Colourful salads and silky sides of mashed pumpkin and courgette accompanied grilled chicken, fresh grilled fish, and tender lamb. Dessert consisted of fresh fruit, creamy pudding, and a hint of traditional cream—light, unfussy, and deeply satisfying.
Later, we wandered through the grounds, where we could even spot donkeys around there - certainly the highlight of the trip for my toddler that was with us and each corner offering a different kind of calm. There’s a sense that this place was built to help you forget what time it is. Dinner that evening was a four-course set menu that changes daily. We began with a plate of spiced orange segments, black olives, and garlic—unexpected and surprisingly harmonious. Then came malfouf, cabbage rolls filled with seasoned meat and rice, slow-cooked for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The main was a lamb tagine with green beans and artichokes, bubbling and fragrant in its clay vessel. For vegetarians, a Berber omelette—prepared in the same style—offered a satisfying alternative. Dessert was a zesty lemon cheesecake, followed by mint tea, the calming herbal infusion beloved across Morocco.
Mornings at Les Jardins are quiet and golden. Breakfast is served on the patio near the pool: traditional Moroccan bread (Khobz) and flatbread with olives, honey, marmalade, and jam accompanied yoghurt, French toast, omelettes, scrambled and fried eggs - all prepared with care, unhurried and nourishing. The surrounding countryside slowly wakes as you sip your coffee or fresh orange juice in the dappled light.
After breakfast on our second day, we set out to explore Essaouira - a historic coastal city known for its whitewashed medina, lively souks, and rich cultural heritage. The hotel offered a convenient transfer into town, making it easy to dive right in. We strolled through narrow alleyways scented with spices and alive with the sounds of street musicians, watched artisans skillfully carving thuya wood by hand, and happily lost ourselves in the city's timeless charm.
As the sun began to dip, we made our way to Villa Maroc in the medina. Stepping into this 18th-century riad is like stepping into a story—candlelit corridors, hidden courtyards, and the kind of rooftop view you don’t forget. We ordered cheese briouats, a popular Moroccan snack, and refreshing cocktails and watched the sky shift from gold to deep rose. From up there, with the Atlantic stretched wide and the call to prayer echoing across the rooftops, it felt like Morocco in its most cinematic form.
Later that night, back at Les Jardins, we lay beneath a sky thick with stars. Far from city lights, with the soft rustle of trees around us and the warmth of the day lingering in the air, we found ourselves stargazing in perfect silence.
Les Jardins de Villa Maroc is not about extravagance, it’s about essence. About quiet, comfort, and a sense of place so strong you feel it in your bones. It’s Morocco at its most intimate, its most authentic. For travellers seeking more than just luxury—for those who crave space, soul, and a slower kind of beauty—this is where you want to be.
After just two nights, I wasn’t ready to leave. I’m still not. And something tells me, once you’ve been, you won’t be either.
