Picture this…

The sight of the sky ablaze with vibrant oranges and purples at both sunrise and sunset
The sound of the gentle rustling of olive trees enveloping you
The smell of wood-fired ovens and distinct Moroccan spices
The feel of the coastal breeze on your sun-drenched face
And most importantly – the sense of stillness that completely slows and settles you.

If you, like me, now have a smile firmly painted on your face, I can say it only gets better from here.

Located just 15 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Essaouria’s medina, in the beautiful countryside, lies one of the city’s best kept secrets – Les Jardins de Villa Maroc. Surrounded by olive groves, native plants and lush gardens that promote biodiversity, it is designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape, exuding luxury whilst creating minimal disruption to the natural surroundings.

The distinct retreat all comes under the watchful eye of Mounia Ezzaher. A thoughtful family-run business, Mounia’s parents were the founders, originally purchasing the family house in 2000 (where she then grew up), before evolving into a guest house in 2009, with the addition of a restaurant and pool in 2012 and finally eleven striking domed suites in 2020.

Whilst it remains the much younger sister of Villa Maroc, the first riad hotel in Morocco, Les Jardins de Villa Maroc proves that age is just a number, luring guests from across the world to experience its completely unique identity. An identity that promises an authentic immersion into serenity, culture and sustainability, where nature and Moroccan charm embrace one another effortlessly. And one that I was completely enamoured by during my two night stay.

So what exactly makes Les Jardins de Villa Maroc so unique?

In essence, it’s the ability to weave sustainability into every facet of the guest experience without compromising comfort or authenticity.

As we walked to our domed home for the duration of our stay, it was clear to see why Les Jardins has received the title of ‘other-worldly’ – eleven picturesque domes stand proudly amongst their surroundings, resembling something you would imagine from being on another planet. It really is something everyone has to see with their own eyes to understand its impact.

These eco-domes are the ultimate solution to sustainable luxury. Their striking architectural design is rooted in Morocco’s identity, paying homage to the country’s indigenous Berber inhabitants, who used domed structures, earthen tones and natural materials to echo the surrounding landscape.

Constructed from local materials found in the region of Essaouira, the full process took two years – a process that can (and should) be seen through a full photographic montage in the Les Jardins reception room.

It started with the vision of Mounia’s father and the architectural knowledge of Mounia’s mother, drawing on the ground where each dome would be placed – which then became reality with the support of local melmans, making everything by hand. From levelling out the ground, compacting the earth into natural fibre bags, stacking the bags into the dome rounds with a home-made mortar blend of sand, clay and lime (becoming as solid as concrete), to then burning away the bags, and finishing with a traditional limewash using the pink-hued clay of Essaouira that has a beautiful earthy smell. The final touch is a hand-painted Berber symbol adorning each of the domes. The symbols carry deep cultural meanings, representing themes like harmony, protection, and connection to nature, adding an artistic layer that celebrates Berber identity, as a beautiful reminder to each guest.

This process means the domes are naturally environmentally responsive – being anti-seismic and autonomous in energy. Their remarkable thermal regulation keeps the inside rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

What’s more, much like that magical scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the domes are charmed to be larger and more intentional on the inside than they may appear on their understated exteriors, with suites comprising a king sized bedroom, lounge room, dressing room and bathroom.

The interior design further proves it’s all in the details – The colour palette of the domes and in fact every area of Les Jardins de Villa Maroc, prioritises the perfect blend of olive greens, beautiful blues, beiges and terracottas.

Everything inside the domes is sourced from Morocco and, again, goes back to the family-focused business, where a lot of the design, styling and decor are works of Mounia’s mother, Cornelia. From hand-crafted Berber rugs, woven textiles and intricate ceramic tiles, alongside antiques, books and the thoughtful use of craftwork, every corner of Les Jardins has been meticulously thought through.

The family place a large focus on artwork, both at Les Jardins and its older sister, Villa Maroc. They ensure each piece of framed art adheres to their ethos of locality – either being created by a Moroccan artist or a piece made in Morocco. In Les Jardins, this is shown in the form of photographs by Thor Arne Hauer. A Norwegian photographer, Thor has called Essaouira home for over 30 years and his photos all capture the landscape and culture of the region, a visual narrative woven throughout each room.

I completely fell in love with the aesthetic, which not only reflects the deep respect for Morocco’s cultural heritage and natural beauty, but adheres to the essence of inviting guests to completely relax and sink into simplicity.

On the other side of the restaurant lies the main guesthouse, the original family house on the property. With three rooms (one being a full family suite), a private kitchen, living room, courtyard, pool, hammam and garden, the house is perfect for those looking for an extra level of exclusivity.

Les Jardins de Villa Maroc’s sustainability journey goes beyond its architectural and decor decisions, it is a mindset where, although not perfect (nowhere is!), is constantly looking for ways to improve for both people and planet. Running currency on 75% solar power, they are aiming to be 100% solar powered by 2026. They have also carefully considered their water use – with Morocco being prone to year long droughts, the team at Les Jardins take waste water from the rooms and restaurant, using a natural double filtration system, to clean the water enough to use for the irrigation of plants in the gardens. Further recognising recycling is a big challenge for the whole country, Les Jardins has come up with innovative ways to help with the issue – such as creating a whole greenhouse out of old plastic bottles on the family’s olive grove, meaning there is a supply of fresh vegetables (such as tomatoes) all year round!

By further employing locally, training staff to support their professional development is prioritised. This is abundantly clear from the atmosphere created at Les Jardins – where you arrive a guest but leave feeling part of the family thanks to the warmth of genuine Moroccan hospitality.

What you can expect from a full day at Les Jardins de Villa Maroc:

Waking up naturally to the sun rising through our domed suite windows, the sounds of silence are only interrupted by a whisper of the breeze or the awakening of the birds in the trees all around. Whilst the comfort of the domes king-sized beds could cocoon me all day, the rumble in my stomach and the knowledge of what awaits for breakfast helps me surface.

The commute from the comfort of our dome to the restaurant was a matter of metres; a beautiful wooden pergola walkway adorned with colourful flowers, and twinkling lights in the evening leading us to our destination. Alfresco dining around the pool for breakfast, on the sun-dappled terrace was the perfect way to wake up, alongside a strong coffee of course.

And then comes the food – abundant and authentic. Dining at Les Jardins de Villa Maroc really is a real celebration of Moroccan flavours with a sustainable twist. Meals are largely farm-to-table, with ingredients sourced primarily from the on-site garden and nearby farms. The chefs create seasonal menus that reduce the need for imported goods, minimising food miles and supporting local agriculture. This approach not only enhances the freshness of the food but also reinforces Les Jardins’ commitment to low-impact dining.

I absolutely loved the freshly prepared bread, alongside homemade olive oil, honey, and marmalades. I also had to indulge in the berber eggs each morning – a traditional breakfast dish typically served in a tagine, complete with poached eggs in a savoury sauce of tomatoes, onions, garlic and aromatic spices – my mouth is watering just thinking about them now. Whilst we enjoyed dining al fresco at the restaurant, each dome also has its own private outside area with plants, table and chairs, where you can enjoy your meal for that extra privacy.

After breakfast, we don our gym attire and head for a workout (stretch) in the newly opened yoga shala – with floor to ceiling glass windows along one side, offering panoramic views of the tranquil landscape and natural light to soothe us into the day. Les Jardins offer full yoga wellness retreats throughout the year, as well as the option to try out a private lesson on request. As someone who likes to be active, this is the perfect compromise to still allow myself to slow down. And soon, the addition of a spa on-site will offer that additional layer of luxury – whether you desire a traditional hammam for that silky smooth skin, or a much needed massage after an intense yoga session.

Next up, swimming attire on and we spend the rest of the morning around the pool; reading, swimming, napping, and laughing. Soft music plays around the pool which luls us into a deep state of complete relaxation.

Lunch is a truly interactive affair – with an outdoor kitchen, we are invited to watch the chef’s perform their perfect choreography, watching and learning exactly what goes into the making of each dish. The reward? A spread of Mediterranean dishes, served buffet style and bursting with flavour in every bite. This distinctive approach underscores dedication to quality, transparency, and creating unforgettable dining memories at Les Jardins de Villa Maroc.

The afternoon is spent exploring the gardens. The region of Essaouira has beautiful landscapes, and exploring them by foot is often the best way. If you are looking for something more active, the Les Jardins staff are only too happy to help – whether it be watersports or horse riding along the beach, with Essaouira beach only 12 km away, or heading into the medina to explore the shops and sights, the guest experience is whatever you want it to be.

As day turns serenely into night, we bathe in the golden hour light, before being mesmerised by another vibrant sunset (my favourite time of day) enjoying a drink around the firepit in the small garden area of the domes, and a game of Monopoly Deal (if you don’t know this game, you are soon to be enlightened). For dinner at the restaurant, we choose to dine inside, with perfectly set tables, bar and open fire which adds a cosy and inviting atmosphere to the evening. A full 3 course traditional Moroccan meal is served (with options for each course to choose from), where the chefs are able to utilise anything leftover from lunch and turn it into a completely new dish, which I absolutely loved!

And what better way to end an evening than by stargazing. Thanks to the position of Les Jardins de Villa Maroc, there is no light pollution, meaning you have full access to the galaxy above – and can spend endless hours finding constellations, shooting stars and winding down without technology ready for another effortless sleep.

Final thoughts:

As someone who always feels the need to be ‘making the most of every minute’ through activities and carefully planned itineraries, I often struggle to wind down and relax. Les Jardins de Villa Maroc invites you to completely slow down, without the guilt of doing so. It’s like exhaling a deep breath, expelling any weight on your shoulders, allowing you to simply ‘be’.

The best way to plan your trip to Essaouira? Start by spending a few nights in the medina, at the vibrant Villa Maroc, where you can maximise your time seeing and doing as much as possible. And then, retreat to Les Jardins de Villa Maroc where you can unwind, connect with nature, and engage with Morocco’s cultural and environmental richness – combining the best of both!

W: Les Jardins de Villa Maroc
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T: +212 6 27 09 28 18

Written by Emma Blunt for Luxuria Lifestyle International