Rebali Riads

Boutique hotel with riads and villas in Sidi Kaouki, Moroccan coast

Rebali Riads is a boutique hotel located in the village of Sidi Kaouki, about 16 kilometres south of Essaouira, on the coast of Morocco. The complex combines seven villas and riads, with a total of 18 rooms, and presents itself as accommodation with discreet service focused on privacy and relaxation. The villas are just a few steps from sandy beaches and offer views of the coast and mountains. The setting allows both a peaceful retreat in Moroccan rural life and excursions to Essaouira, with its souks and ramparts.

Accommodation: seven villas and riads

The accommodation is spread across seven properties, each with its own character. They can be booked by the room or as a whole, depending on the villa.

• Dar Jamila: the newest of the villas, a few steps from the main hotel entrance. It has 3 bedrooms, a rimflow pool and uninterrupted views down to the beach. It is a private villa in its own grounds, with private entrance and parking, laid out over a single level with a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Sleeps 6.
• Riad Valmar: the largest of the riads, built around three interconnecting courtyards. It has four suites and a cinema room that can be converted into an extra bedroom if the riad is booked exclusively. It has a private pool, large garden and roof terrace with 360-degree views over the village and the beach. Sleeps 2 to 10.
• Riad Sila: offers three suites or the whole house for up to 8 people. It is designed around a 14-metre open-plan sitting and dining room under a triple-height void, with a remote-control glass sliding roof at one end. Outside there is a good-sized pool, private garden, patio and roof terrace with outstanding views. Sleeps 2 to 8.
• Dar Mevada: a three-bedroom riad with a private pool and a large enclosed garden, presented as an ideal villa for families. It has three double bedrooms and two bathrooms (master en-suite), a spacious dining room and living room with a fully equipped kitchen, as well as an outdoor dining area and a private roof terrace. Sleeps 6.
• Dar Jeseli: overlooking the main pool, it has two en-suite bedrooms leading from a galleried landing. It is arranged around a triple-height dining courtyard with a remote-control glass sliding roof. It includes a fully equipped open-plan kitchen and a sitting room with fireplace and TV. Outside there is a private garden and stairs up to the roof terrace. Sleeps 2 to 5.
• Dar Azreq: a two-bedroom riad-style villa facing the main pool, with views of the sea and mountains from the bedrooms and the private roof terrace. It has a triple-height dining courtyard with a remote-control glass sliding roof, and outside a patio and garden leading to the pool. Sleeps 2 to 4.
• Dar Etoile: the smallest of the riads, designed for honeymoon couples or families with one or two children. Upstairs there is a master suite with a luxury bathroom; downstairs, a sitting room, kitchen-diner and a separate TV room that can be a second bedroom. Sleeps 2 to 4.

Facilities and services at the complex

The complex has six pools in total: two shared and four private. The largest is 15 metres long and suitable for swimming; next to it there is a smaller, shallow pool for relaxing or for children. Guests of Mevada, Sila and Valmar have a private pool. There is also a professionally managed hammam and spa, and a tennis court, the only one in the area, described as not suitable for competition but fine for playing; lessons can be arranged and rackets and balls are provided, although guests are advised to bring their own. The gardens include private areas in each riad, planted with native and tropical species, lawns and patios with berjmat tiles, sun loungers and zellige mosaic dining tables. There is also a large shared garden for games such as pétanque or volleyball.

Activities and natural surroundings

The coastal location allows surfing and windsurfing on the beach, as well as horse and camel rides departing from the accommodation itself. Highlights include hiking, with a usual two-hour route along the coast to a lava formation that creates a series of waterfalls almost onto the beach, or in the opposite direction towards the large dunes and the Cap Sim lighthouse. For horse riding enthusiasts, ponies and horses are available nearby, and a nearby stable is recommended for escorted one- or two-hour rides along the beach. Quad biking is another option for exploring the dunes and reaching Cape Sim lighthouse, with the possibility of renting single or double quads with a guide. Stargazing is possible thanks to the low light pollution; all villas have roof terraces and tripod-mounted stellar binoculars are lent free of charge. Formal yoga retreats are also organised two or three times a year, lasting three to five days, with international teachers, and private or group classes with local teachers at reasonable prices.

Family services and connectivity

The accommodation is presented as suitable for families, with space and privacy. Childcare services are offered and the chef adapts meal times and flavours for children. Activities for younger guests include camel, donkey or horse rides and searching for tortoises and chameleons. As for connectivity, there is no ADSL broadband in the village, but free 3G wifi is available covering most of the hotel; it is suitable for browsing, email and Skype calls, although not enough for YouTube or other data-heavy applications. All villas and riads have a television.

Guest reviews

The testimonials on the site highlight the spaciousness and equipment of the villas, the quality of breakfasts and dinners, and the attentiveness of the staff, mentioned by name in several cases (Mohamed, Fatima). They note the suitability for groups and families, the privacy with hotel services, the accessibility for a wheelchair user in Dar Jamila, and the possibility of arranging transfers and activities. The location in Sidi Kaouki is described as a place with unspoilt Moroccan charm, and the night sky is mentioned for stargazing.

Location and contact

Piste pour ID Mbarek, Sidi Kaouki, Morocco