Dar Baba Diali: Unique stay in Essaouira’s best Guesthouse

Introduction

During our Morocco road trip, after days of driving from Fes to Chefchaouen, Rabat, and finally Essaouira, we felt it was time to slow down. We had already covered so much ground, and taking a break from the constant rhythm of sightseeing felt necessary.

For this, we booked something completely different: a stay at Dar Baba Diali, a guesthouse hidden away about 30 minutes from Essaouira, half of it down a dirt road. Remote, quiet, and surrounded by nature, it turned out to be the perfect place to relax, enjoy some of the best food we had in Morocco, and head out for a short hike in the countryside.

What made it even more special was the chance to connect with the owners, Marion and Said, who welcomed us warmly and made us feel at home. This wasn’t just accommodation—it was an experience.

Here’s our guide to this unique stay in Essaouira.

Read: Our complete 2-week Morocco Road Trip Itinerary

Getting there

The only practical way to reach Dar Baba Diali is by car. Without one, it would be very complicated to get there. From Essaouira, drive toward the airport and follow the dirt road along the airport wall. Continue around until you reach the back of the airport, then turn left over the bridge, take the next right, and follow the road until you see the sign for the guesthouse on the right.

One important tip: don’t rely on GPS. It won’t take you to the right place, so follow the directions carefully instead.

We recommend to rent a car through Discover Cars with free cancellation. Book your rental car here.

Dar Baba Diali: A Unique Guesthouse near Essaouira

If you’re looking for a truly unique stay near Essaouira, Dar Baba Diali is a special place run by Marion and Saïd. Just 30 minutes by car from the city center, the guesthouse is set in the middle of an argan forest, with the nearest house half a kilometer away. It feels secluded, peaceful, and completely different from staying in town.

Marion and Saïd are not your average hosts. Both are writers and kickboxers—Marion is also a psychologist and psychotherapist, while Saïd is a former director of a socio-cultural center. Together, they built this single-storey house of 600 m² on a 25,000 m² plot of land, combining creativity, sport, and Moroccan tradition into one unique retreat.

The house has just two rooms and four spacious suites (from 45 to 90 m²), along with a 110 m² living room featuring six-meter-high ceilings. We stayed in the Safrane room, a cozy 45 m² space with a fireplace, living room, and private bathroom. (As is often the case in Morocco, the bed was on the firmer side, so don’t be surprised.)

Beyond the rooms, the guesthouse offers plenty of shared spaces: a patio, a swimming pool (not open in winter), a hammam, a gym with a boxing ring and punching bags, a library, gardens, and terraces. Meals are traditional Moroccan, prepared with organic products, and some of the best food we had on our trip. Even better, 5% of the net profits are donated to the local development association Ida o Blal, so staying here also supports the community.

Here are all your accommodation options in Essaouira

What to Eat at Dar Baba Diali

Breakfast is included in your stay, and like most Moroccan breakfasts, it’s simple but filling, with bread, jam, and tea or coffee. But where Dar Baba Diali really shines is at lunch and dinner. You can request both, and we highly recommend it.

We tried them during our stay, and the food was some of the best we had in Morocco—fresh, homemade, and full of flavor. Everything is prepared with organic products, and you can taste the difference. We’ll describe our meals a bit further on, but trust us, eating here is part of the experience.

We usually travel with Airalo eSIMs, but when we need unlimited data for work, we go with Holafly.

One Slow Day in Essaouira’s countryside

Morning at Dar Baba Diali

Our morning at Dar Baba Diali started slow and peaceful. We got out of bed around 8:30—one of us joined a yoga session while the other meditated on the rooftop. It was the perfect way to start the day, especially with Igor, the friendly house dog, keeping company during the practice.

Breakfast was served in the inner courtyard. Simple but delicious: fresh orange juice, bread with three types of jam and butter, plus coffee and tea. Sitting there in the quiet of the argan forest, it felt like the right balance of comfort and authenticity.

Afterward, we spent some time chatting with Marion, who shared tips about the nearby walks and what we could do for lunch later in the day. It was this personal touch—time with the hosts—that made the stay feel so unique.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Lunch

The rest of the morning we kept things slow, relaxing in our room before heading to the living room for lunch. The meal was simple but absolutely delicious—a comforting lentil stew topped with eggs and olives, followed by fresh grapes and yogurt for dessert.

We lingered in the living room for a while after, enjoying not just the food but also the atmosphere of the house itself. With its high ceilings, warm light, and peaceful setting, Dar Baba Diali feels like a place where time slows down.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, we set out for a short hike in the surrounding countryside. The walk took about an hour and a half, leading us up to a nearby hill with a 360° view over the argan forest and the plains around Essaouira. The path was easy, as the area is mostly flat, but we did have to watch out for sheep herds along the way—especially since the guard dogs bark loudly to protect them (though they never approached us).

Back at the guesthouse, we spent more time with Said, who shared stories about his life. One in particular stayed with us: the story of his best friend and brother, Abdeljabbar, who had been abandoned at birth in a cemetery. The guardian who found him was told by the police to keep him, but his wife never accepted the child. Eventually, he ran away, and Said’s family slowly took him in as one of their own. It was a moving reminder of the resilience and generosity that shapes so many lives in Morocco.

Read: All the best things to do in Essaouira

Dinner

Dinner that evening was unforgettable: a couscous so good it easily became the best we’ve ever had. Traditionally in Morocco, couscous is eaten on Fridays at lunchtime, when people take a long break between 11 am and 4 pm for prayer and a family meal. Having it served to us here in the evening made it feel even more special.

For dessert, we were treated to a smooth avocado cream topped with walnuts and honey—a combination that was both simple and delicious. It was the perfect way to end the day at Dar Baba Diali.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

End of the day at Dar Baba Diali

To close the evening, we spent more time chatting with Said, who suggested we visit La Maison de la Mémoire in Essaouira—a small museum dedicated to the city’s Jewish history. It was another reminder of how much local insight you gain by staying in a place like this.

Before heading to bed, we settled our bill: 187 MAD (around €17). The breakdown was simple—our room rate minus a small discount, plus 17 MAD for lunch and dinner for two. We left 200 MAD in total.

We also shared a final conversation with Marion, learning more about her work in mindfulness and her writing projects. It was the perfect way to end a stay that felt personal, enriching, and different from anything else we experienced in Morocco.

We hope you’ll enjoy this unique stay in Essaouira at Dar Baba Diali as much as we did.

Read: Our complete 2-week Morocco Road Trip Itinerary