Morocco by the Atlantic: Beach stays with a difference

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Morocco may be famous for its colourful cities, bustling souks and ancient medinas, but head towards the Atlantic and another side of the country comes into view.

Agadir and Essaouira offer two very different takes on a Moroccan coastal escape. Agadir is made for clients who love long beaches, resort facilities and plenty of time beside the pool, while Essaouira combines the sea with a historic medina, whitewashed streets and a more laid-back atmosphere.

So, beach resort or character-filled coastal escape? Here are six stays to put on your radar.

Agadir: Sunshine, sand and resort living

With its sweeping sandy beach and relaxed holiday atmosphere, Agadir is an easy choice for clients who want Morocco with a generous helping of downtime.

4* Dunes D’Or Ocean Club

Set beside Agadir’s beachfront, Dunes D’Or Ocean Club is a great option for clients who like plenty happening around their hotel.

The resort combines direct beach access with extensive gardens, outdoor swimming pools and a choice of restaurants and bars. Sports and leisure facilities add to its appeal, while its location means guests can easily combine days relaxing by the Atlantic with time exploring Agadir.

4* Amadil Ocean Club Agadir

Another beachfront option, Amadil Ocean Club Agadir puts the Atlantic right on the doorstep.

The hotel offers direct access to its private beach alongside outdoor pools, an aqua park and a spa with an indoor pool, hammam and treatment facilities. A choice of restaurants gives guests plenty of options during their stay, while the combination of beach and family-friendly facilities makes it particularly well suited to clients who want an easy-going resort holiday.

5* Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa

For a more indulgent take on Agadir, Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa puts wellbeing firmly at the heart of the experience.

Sitting beside the Atlantic with direct access to the beach, the hotel combines contemporary Moroccan-inspired design with landscaped gardens, swimming pools and several dining options. Its extensive thalassotherapy and spa facilities are a particular highlight, making this much more than simply somewhere to stay beside the sea.

Essaouira: Coast with character

Travel north along the Atlantic coast and the experience changes. Essaouira brings together beach life and Moroccan culture, with its historic ramparts, fishing port and medina giving clients plenty to discover away from the sand.

5* Le Medina Essaouira Hotel Thalassa Sea & Spa – MGallery

Sitting opposite the beach and within walking distance of Essaouira’s medina, Le Medina Essaouira Hotel Thalassa Sea & Spa – MGallery offers the best of both worlds.

Moroccan design details run throughout the hotel, while guests have access to an outdoor pool, private beach area and spa facilities. Its location is the real advantage: clients can spend part of the day beside the Atlantic and the rest exploring the narrow streets, shops and restaurants of Essaouira.

4* Villa Quieta

For something more intimate, Villa Quieta offers a very different experience from Agadir’s larger resorts.

Set close to Essaouira’s beach, the property draws heavily on traditional Moroccan architecture and craftsmanship, with ornate interiors, tiled courtyards and peaceful gardens adding plenty of character. An outdoor pool provides somewhere to relax, while the smaller scale gives the stay a more personal feel.

4* Villa de l’O

Close to both the beach and Essaouira’s historic medina, Villa de l’O is another option for clients who prefer their coastal stay on a smaller scale.

This boutique property blends Moroccan and colonial-inspired styling, with individually designed rooms and plenty of decorative detail throughout. One of its standout features is the rooftop terrace, where guests can look out towards the ocean and Essaouira’s rooftops.

Agadir or Essaouira?

That’s really the question – because although both sit on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, they offer very different holidays.

Choose Agadir for clients whose priorities are a great beach, larger resorts, pools, spas and plenty of opportunities to relax without having to venture far.

Choose Essaouira for those who want the coast to be just one part of the experience – somewhere they can combine beach time with wandering through the medina, exploring the harbour and soaking up the atmosphere of one of Morocco’s most distinctive coastal cities.

Whichever suits your clients, Morocco proves that a beach holiday doesn’t have to mean choosing between relaxation and a sense of place.