Riad Dar Danse

from $210
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“Tucked away on Morocco’s wild Atlantic coast, this off-grid boutique retreat is where time takes a back seat. Expect soulful interiors with tadelakt walls, vintage souk finds, & a central open-air kasbah studio facing the surf. Swim in the infinity pool, dine on homegrown feasts, unwind in a hammam”

Hotel review

In a gloriously remote location overlooking the Atlantic ocean, 47km from Essaouira on the road to Safi, sits the wonderful eco-friendly Dar Danse boutique hotel retreat. A ‘Bubble on the Beach.’ Ideal for escapists - couples, families and groups.

Driving along the wild craggy Atlantic coast from Essaouira, ‘Bubble on the Beach’ can be spotted in the distance as two domes silhouetted against the ocean backdrop. Up close, two matching stone buildings are quirky in style yet blend into the natural landscape. What started as a madcap adventure when an Englishwoman and her Italian husband decided to buy land after retirement in 2009 morphed into a retreat for dancers once their daughter gave up her career with the Royal Ballet - hence Dar Danse. Now it has become a wonderful hotel (still hosting dance and yoga retreats) with four capacious suites, some sleeping up to seven guests (accommodating 25 in total). Most of the rooms have views overlooking the sea inspiring peace and relaxation. Home-cooked meals are offered at a half-board or full-board supplement with a menu du jour in the evening. Water is supplied by their own well and electricity powered by the sun so it’s virtually off-grid. Still family-run, the place is now managed by the couple’s son and his wife, who also provide a home for orphaned animals, from dogs to donkeys, with the resident cat Couscous ruling the roost by prowling the grounds. 

Laura Campbell

Recommended for

  • Families

    • Kids roam free with donkeys and dogs, while families spread out in quirky multi-bed suites like the Caverne or Penthouse

  • Eco break

    • Solar-powered, water from its own well, and built with local stone and straw—this off-grid haven treads lightly

  • Riding

    • Saddle up with Conrad the camel for a leisurely amble along windswept dunes and hidden coastal trails

  • Hotel Entertainment

    • Splash into the infinity pool then dry off under the mimosas with a mint tea and a good book

  • Local markets

    • Head to Essaouira for souks, seafood and a tangle of medina streets buzzing with local life

  • Other Activities

    • Paint, dance or stretch in the open-air studio—ballet to salsa, it’s all on the cards

  • Total relaxation

    • Unplug in the hammam where warm stone, argan oil and total silence do the heavy lifting

  • Cycling

    • Borrow a bike and cruise quiet tracks through argan forests and sleepy villages

  • Owner managed

  • Hammam

  • Full of character

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Family Suites

  • Eco

  • Restaurant

  • Views

  • Romantic

  • Traditional

  • Wellbeing

  • Beach nearby

  • Boutique

Facilities

  • Rooms

    7 rooms in this hotel

  • Parking

    Free private parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is needed)

  • Bicycle hire

  • Massage

  • Airport transfer

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Hammam

  • Bar

  • Family Suites

  • Wifi

  • Suites

  • Garden

  • Swimming Pool

  • Restaurant

Activities

  • Riding

    • Saddle up with Conrad the camel for a leisurely amble along windswept dunes and hidden coastal trails

  • Hotel Entertainment

    • Splash into the infinity pool then dry off under the mimosas with a mint tea and a good book

  • Local markets

    • Head to Essaouira for souks, seafood and a tangle of medina streets buzzing with local life

  • Other Activities

    • Paint, dance or stretch in the open-air studio—ballet to salsa, it’s all on the cards

  • Cycling

    • Borrow a bike and cruise quiet tracks through argan forests and sleepy villages

Map & Location

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