Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Essaouira Morocco (Updated 2024 )

Moroccans are generally very tolerant people and tourists of all orientations are respected as long as local laws and customs are seen to be respected in return. Fes is a fantastic city and even if it’s a muslim country, people are tolerating the foreigner gay couples are there a few gay friendly hotels Essaouira.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Morocco face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Morocco.

Essaouira is a port city and resort on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Its medina (old town) is protected by 18th-century seafront ramparts called the Skala de la Kasbah, which were designed by European engineers. Old brass cannons line the walls, and there are ocean views. Strong “Alizée” trade winds make the city’s crescent beach popular for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Top attractions to visit in Essaouira 

 

Day Trips Essaouira

 

 

1. Tangaro Hip Hotel & Spa 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira

Tangaro Hip Hotel & Spa
Tangaro Hip Hotel & Spa

Offering an outdoor pool and views of the sea, Tangaro Hotel & Spa is located in Essaouira, near the beach. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free private parking is available on site.

Some units feature a seating area to relax in after a busy day. All rooms have a private bathroom. Tangaro Hotel & Spa features free WiFi throughout the property.

Bike hire and Car hire are available at this hotel and the area is popular for golfing. Sidi Kaouki is 17 km from the property. Essaouira Mogador Airport is 12 km away.

Tangaro Auberge & Spa is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Essaouira, offering a romantic environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.

Close to some of Essaouira most popular landmarks, such as Essaouira Fishing Port (2.4 mi) and Essaouira Ramparts (3.0 mi), Tangaro Auberge & Spa is a great destination for tourists.

Tangaro Auberge & Spa features a 24 hour front desk, a concierge, and baggage storage. In addition, as a valued Tangaro Auberge & Spa guest, you can enjoy an outdoor pool and free breakfast that are available on-site. Guests arriving by vehicle have access to free parking.

When you’re ready to try some local flavor, be sure to check out La Table by Madada, which is known for serving up tasty crab, which is popular with locals and out-of-towners alike.

Best of all, Tangaro Auberge & Spa makes it easy to experience many great Essaouira attractions like Galerie la Kasbah, GALERIE D’ART DAMGAARD, and Galerie La Rochelle, which are some popular art galleries.

Enjoy your stay in Essaouira!

The boutique-like hotel is really nicely designed, without being pretentious. It was payed a lot of attention to all small details everywhere: from the nice garden, the small paths, the lanterns and the pavilion coffee house. All furniture is really pretty, as well the interior of the rooms, the beds and the bath. I was confused by previous reviews about Tangaro being dated or run down, this is absolutely not true and this was the most charming part of this place, it felt more nostalgic in the best possible way I guess.

If you are expecting a smooth 5 star could be anywhere location hotel with sun, beach and sea, don’t go to Tangaro. But if you are open for a charming, quirky, elegant place full of character with a staff that makes you feel at home right a way, do opt for this place. Yes sometimes there was no real hot water, but Younes would make sure to make the boilers work on solar energy again.

And yes, if you stay longer than a week, the menu might become a bit of the same, but Aziza the cook was really willing to experiment to make vegetarian dishes, and there are plenty of options in Essaouira to eat. I spent a wonderful two weeks, writing, reading, relaxing.

The fire place in the room was needed during the cold winter months, but I guess during spring and summer the breeze must be refreshing.

Great place to be on your own. Essaouira is just a 45 minutes great walk along the beach away. Taxi’s are easy to find. I will definitely come back.

The staff are all very friendly and nice, the rooms are perfectly adequate and clean. I would definitely recommend it if you want to spend time away from the hustle and bustle of the medina – it is very cheap and easy to get into town by local taxi. Very nice breakfast, however in the evening there is only one menu, with a choice of 3 starters, mains and desserts – as a vegetarian, I would have liked to have seen more choice of food, but this is my only complaint. Go to this hotel to chill out and enjoy the peace and quiet, you won’t regret it.

Breakfast could be taken outside in the sun near reception where you also had wifi. Tangaro build a nice new yoga\massage room and a Sunset café from where you still can see the Ocean. It takes you a little hour walk from Tangaro to visit Essaouira. So it’s a good idea to hire a car when you stay in Tangaro for more then one day.

Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira
Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira

How much does a room costs at Tangaro Hip Hotel & Spa ?

Prices start 80$/night for Standard Double Room. The Superior Suite with Sea View is  190$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This suite has a fireplace.

Where to book online – Tangaro Hip Hotel & Spa  – Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira you can find the best hotels deals in Essaouira during The Gnaoua World Music Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Essaouira on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

2. Dar Alya Essaouira Maison 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira

Dar Alya Essaouira Maison
Dar Alya Essaouira Maison

Offering a year-round heated outdoor pool and sun terrace, Dar Alya Essaouira is located in Ghazoua. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free private parking is available on site.

Certain units feature a seating area for your convenience. Some units include views of the pool or garden. Extras include heated floors in bathrooms, bath robes, free toiletries and a hair dryer. Dar Alya Essaouira features free WiFi throughout the property.

This guest house has gym classes and car hire is available. Guests can enjoy various activities in the surroundings, including golfing and horse and quad riding.

The nearest airport is Essaouira Mogador Airport, 7 km from Dar Alya Essaouira.

We really enjoyed our stay here!

After an unpleasant night at a run down hotel in Essaouira, we came here in the search for some quite and relaxing time. And we were not disappointed. Sophie, the host, is very welcoming and caring. She welcomed us with some mint tea and cookies to make us feel at home. The place is very well designed with a lot of Moroccan influences.

As the place is located a bit outside of Essaouira we decided on having dinner at the hotel. The food was delicious and authentically Moroccan with a twist of modernes. As the hotel only has three rooms (a fourth one is build at the moment) it feels very private.

We can highly recommend staying at this place!

With only three rooms, all very comfortable, the suite is perhaps the nicest with so much space..money has been spent well on the furnishings and the beds which to some are a little on the hard side.

Dar Alya is a little out of the centre of Essaouira down a long dusty and very bumpy track so it would be advisable to hire a car for your visit, Sophie can arrange this for you and its not expensive so well worth the investment, just for getting into town of an evening or to the sensational beach bar. La Mouette et les Dromadaires in nearby Sidi Kaoiki.

This is the countryside so do be prepared for the odd fly or two and smells especially as we discovered the huge herds of sheep and goats also sleep in the property next door but not an issue and superb to photograph…when we arrived we found the entrance blocked by a horse..just amazing.

Our suite was comfortable and clean; breakfasts and dinners were delicious and varied; the staff, attentive and kind. We had the luxury of having the place to ourselves. Sophie was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and generous and put up with my francais mauvais with admirable charm. We were so glad that we didn’t decide to stay in the medina. We would visit Essaouira and other beaches and then retreat to our peaceful hideaway.

Dar Alya is a stylish oasis. Staying there felt like being at home. Sophie, the owner, is lovely and generous. She helped us to discovered the coolest places of Essaouira and takes excellent care of her guests. I highly recommend staying there to regenerate in peace at 15 minutes from the medina of Essaouira.

Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira
Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira

How much does a room costs at Dar Alya Essaouira Maison ?

Prices start 135$/night for Fryda Double Room with Pool View. The Double Room with Patio is  150$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This double room has a private pool, executive lounge access and bathrobe.

Where to book online – Dar Alya Essaouira Maison – Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira you can find the best hotels deals in Essaouira during The Gnaoua World Music Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Essaouira on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Agoda.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

3. Hotel Le Médina Essaouira Thalassa sea & spa – Mgallery  5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira

Hotel Le Médina Essaouira
Hotel Le Médina Essaouira

Located on the seafront, a 5-minute walk from Essaouira Port, this hotel is designed around a large outdoor swimming pool. It offers spa facilities, 3 restaurants and 2 bars, and free Wi-Fi in public areas.

The air-conditioned rooms with balconies have a modern decor and are each equipped with a TV, minibar and free wired internet. Rooms have en suite bathroom facilities with a bathtub and shower.

With the thalassotherapy institute directly linked to the hotel, guests can enjoy a range of treatments. For a supplement, a hair and beauty salon is also available on site.

International and Moroccan cuisine is available in the hotel’s restaurants. For afternoon tea, French and Moroccan pastries are offered in La Scala tearoom and in the evening Mogador’s Club offers cocktails in a stylish environment.

Reminiscent of a sumptuous Moroccan riad, the facade of the Medina Essaouira Thalassa sea & spa by MGallery is painted the traditional red of Mogador. Set on the coast, close to the medina, this charming luxury hotel furnished with thuja and lemon wood cabinets, provides direct access to a luxury thalassotherapy centre. Enjoy an unforgettable leisure and fitness break.

The room was large and spotless, with a good sea view. There were bathrobes and slippers provided and a range of toiletries, ample towels and a hairdryer. The room was also very efficiently serviced by the time we returned from breakfast each day. Breakfast by the pool was extensive with good, charming service.

The pool is very clean (and fresh) and a comfortable temperature once you get in. The loungers, towel service, etc were excellent. Step across the road to the beach where there is a full restaurant, bar, patio area and great loungers, protective screens and first class service. We spent a lot of our time there as it had everything that we needed. We also ate in this restaurant one night and it was very acceptable, once again with good service.

Yes, the hotel is a bit dated, but that is more than compensated for by the great location across from the best part of the beachfront, and a short walk to the medina. The room was spacious and comfortable, with a lovely balcony overlooking the beautiful big pool, and the the beds were among the most comfortable we had in Morocco. Great value for the price! The hotel service was excellent — additional fresh towels sent to the room immediately, repackaged a large tagine we had bought, and helped arrange car service to the airport. They also offered a free 3-hour walking tour of the Medina with a good guide. The food and service at breakfast could be improved.

The room had everything we needed, bathrobe, slippers, safe ,minibar, flat screen TV and a comfortable bed. The hotel more than surpassed our expectations. After we settled in our rooms we went across to the beach. The hotel had a lovely section on the beach with some really modern sun loungers and although we didn’t use its services a great beach front restaurant. A gentleman organised towels for us and we settled down to relax, a little while later we found ourselves to be a little hungry so we ordered two house burgers, a chicken salad and a couple of glasses of wine. The food was well presented and excellent quality. The service impeccable.

ust outside of the medina walls, you really couldn’t ask for a better location. Rooms were larger with a desk area in them. Beds are extremely comfortable (best of all 3 hotels on our trip). The breakfast is great. It was located across a quiet street from the beach. Lovely 5-7 minute walk to the port in the early morning to see the boats unload their catches from the night before. The pool area was perfect (although we didn’t get to use it) and service a 10. Wouldn’t hesitate to go there again.

This is a very nice hotel with a terrific lobby, which flows easily into the different areas around it, including a full-service bar, a fun fashion area, terrific furnishings, a restaurant and a large pool area. The rooms are comfortable and have balconies. The staff is professional and helpful. This is a first-class place. In addition, the hotel has a restaurant and an area to sit on chairs at the beach—very nice.

When you plan to visit any city there are so many choices of hotels to choose from. Hotel Le Médina is an ideal choice. Across the road from the sandy beach , a restaurant on the beach, a short stroll to the Médina and fishing port. Be surprised by the magnificent pool and fabulous food offered within the restaurant. Rooms are large and offer everything you need for a short or long stay. You will enjoy everyday of your stay either sightseeing or enjoying the pool or beach . Two days is a minimum. Do not miss the breakfast buffet.

This is a two storey hôtel (local planning laws prohibit building over four storeys in town) so it is easy to walk up stairs and because of it’s beach-front location has good views of the bay, harbour and the medina, dependant on your room position. We have stayed, both times, in the same room, by choice, with probably the best view of the pool area.

The room was of a good size, about 31m², tiled flooring and well fitted with a very, very comfortable king-sized bed, a work table and comfortable chairs, a mini bar fridge and two wardrobes. Large windows that opened onto a substantial, furnished balcony. The bath/shower room was more than adequate with the usual complimentary wash & shower requisites, hair dryer and good lighting for those that wish to apply slap and a separate WC.

The pool side area is served well by very attentive staff, fresh clean towels are brought to your bed, should you forget to pick them up yourselves. Fringed with date palms and banana trees, one side of the area is dedicate to sun bathing or lounging, it gets the sun, whilst the other side of the pool, is in shade, should you have had enough of the hot ball in the sky or wish to take a light meal or drinks. This same side can also be used to take breakfast when it does get sunshine. The ‘pool guy’ does a tremendous job running around with towels and is also the source of any foodstuffs, sandwiches, the ubiquitous chips and drinks, thé à la menthe, softs or alcohol. That bloke really earns his wages. The sun beds are tres comfortable, clean and huge.

Breakfast, now there’s a thing, it is without doubt the best I have ever had in any hôtel worldwide, and I have been travelling for over 50 years. Hot food, depending on the day, consisted of cooked to order eggs, sausages (two types), potatoes, grilled tomatoes, beans (fantastic, homemade cooked with added garlic) and BACON. A couple of local soups were also available. Fruits in honey, dates, figs, apricots and mixed raisins/sultanas alongside their dry cousins. Fresh fruits and yoghurts covered another large area. Several breads and cakes with a multitude of home-made confitures and cereals, breakfast was exhaustive. The service from the breakfast staff was superb, the client is truly king.

Breakfast was taken either on the terrace or in the L’Arganier restaurant, the same room that was used for dinner, whether it was the demi-pension option or à la carte. The daily menu for table d’hôte consisted of a choice of two dishes per the three course dinner. For the à la carte, there were about six choices available, a number ow which were stunning. The staff were falling over backwards to fulfil any wishes you may have and flashed around the place at great speed, your wine or water glass could be refilled almost before it even reached the table from your lips.

The bar is substantial and is furnished with some excellent large chairs and sofa’s and again the staff cannot do enough for their clients. Strange for this day and age, but the bar is a smoking permitted area, that did not bother me at all because it is large enough to accommodate the odd smoker. Being an ex-smoker I am not of the anti smoking brigade and the bar does have a very nice supply of cigars for those that are interested in such delights.There is another bar in the foyer of the hôtel which will be happy to serve you a cocktail or two.

Virtually opposite the hôtel, across the sea-front road, is a second restaurant specializing in seafood and very good we found it for lunches. Some of the same staff that served you at breakfast could be found there at lunchtime, so you did not find yourself feeling out of place. Adjacent to the restaurant and across the promenade was the private beach with it’s own staff, sunbeds, parasols and, although seemingly unnecessary, security.

With the hôtel classed as a 5 star establishment, whilst it is not cheap, it in no way charges 5 star prices. Some of the place needs a little tidying up but this should not affect a stay here.

Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira
Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira

How much does a room costs at Hotel Le Médina Essaouira ?

Prices start 120$/night for Standard Double Room. The Executive Suite with Ocean View
 is  350$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

With an ocean view, this more spacious air-conditioned suite offers a seating area and an espresso machine.

Where to book online – Hotel Le Médina Essaouira Thalassa sea & spa – Mgallery – Gay Friendly Hotels Essaouira you can find the best hotels deals in Essaouira during The Gnaoua World Music Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Essaouira on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.