In the bay of the ancient city of Mogador, the gorgeous palais has the wellbeing of its clients at heart. Welcome to this beautiful riad, member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux hotel association!
Originally built at the end of the 19th century, on the ruins of an ancient ‘fondouk’ - hostel for travelling traders - the ‘sleeping beauty’, as it was called by the locals, initially was the sumptuous residence of Caid Mbark Saidi. Later acquired by a wealthy merchant, it then served as an orphanage until the 1960s, before being left abandoned and in disrepair. At this point the Azoulay family and associates decided to restore this once noble residence and bring it back to life.
Heure Bleue Palais opened its doors in June 2004 after three years of renovation and reconstruction, now with a new vocation as a luxury hotel. Today Heure Bleue Palais is the pride of Essaouira and pure serendipity for its guests.
The 33 rooms & suites are arranged over 4 floors and overlook the verdant patio - the decor is influenced by colonial nuances from the Orient, Africa, Portugal and Britain. Heure Bleue Palais is a testimony to Essaouira’s glorious past at the crossroads of African, European and Arab civilisations. The hotel offers everything a sophisticated traveller expects of a luxury hotel, yet Heure Bleue Palais still conserves the
architecture of a traditional Moroccan riad: the public areas, restaurant and rooms open onto a courtyard with an ornate fountain - in true Moroccan tradition this is the heart of the riad. The colonial style Salon Anglais invites to relax in a mellow ambiance with subtle lighting and sumptuous English decor.
Heure Bleue Palais is first and foremost a charming house before being a luxury hotel, a place where privacy and comfort are synonymous with the size of the riad - just 33 rooms & suites are available in this historic home where the art of Moroccan
hospitality is demonstrated at its very best. Like most authentic Oriental buildings, the rooms & suites are spread around a central courtyard that immerses the house with the light of the East.
The Family suite consist of two rooms with a large living space by day and privacy at night. With family or friends the Family
suites are ideal for a longer stay at Heure Bleue Palais. They have two bathrooms with separate toilets.
Premium suites are located on second and third floors of the riad. With design and decor of Oriental, African or British style, Deluxe suites are distinguished by attention to detail,
with working fireplace separating office, living room, bedroom and bathroom.
The suites are located on the second floor and offer generous space with additional comfort and service. With a luxurious atmosphere and Arab-Portuguese inspired decor,
the suites offer marble bathrooms with bath and walk-in shower plus separate WC.
The decor of the 5 Deluxe room is inspired by the Orient, Africa and Britain. Distinguished by attention to detail, with marble bathroom and wardrobes of precious woods, Deluxe room
offer bathroom and separate WC, rooms are generous with office area and bedroom.
Situated on the first floor, the 14 African style Classic rooms are well appointed and overlook the patio.
They offer a bathroom with shower and WC, some rooms available with twin beds.
Morocco is a land of flavours with famous dishes such as couscous or tagines, but there is much more to discover. Chef Ahmed Handour and his team are by your side when you experience the delights of the Orient through its gastronomy with traditional as well as modern dishes. You can discover the Heure Bleue Palais culinary experience throughout the day and at your own pace: start with the buffet breakfast in the morning, go on
to the grill terrace at lunchtime and spend the evening experiencing the different moods of Kemia - the Patio and the Salon Anglais are at your service all day long. Listening to his guests, Chef Ahmed Handour and his team will adapt to specific requests or food allergies. With genuine bespoke service, the kitchen at Heure Bleue Palais can cater for everyone - do take advantage by ordering a special dish or menu in advance.
When the buffet - prepared each day at dawn in the heart of the house - sends out the delicious aroma of toast and Argan oil, it is the moment for all guests to come together and marvel at the rich tradition of the Moroccan morning meal alongside Western classics. At breakfast Heure Bleue Palais offers: homemade pastries and Moroccan breads, homemade jams, fresh fruit salad,
homemade yoghurt, cheeses, cold meats, cereals, Essaouira smoked salmon, dried fruits, local honey without forgetting eggs: hard or soft boiled, scrambled, omelettes or Moroccan specialties like M'semen - small cakes made with semolina flour, Beghir or pancakes with ‘1000 holes’ and Amlou, a traditiona Moroccan spread made with almonds and Argan oil.
Heure Bleue Palais in Essaouira has distinguished itself yet again by the introduction of its own and unique ‘Heure Bleue Val d'Argan’ wine label - the result of a voyage in taste initiated by hotel director François Laustriat. Hence Heure Bleue is Morocco’s first luxury hotel to create and launch its wine label - a delicate blend of white musk, floral aromas and mature fruit blending with notes of spice and honey.
The Heure Bleue Val d'Argan is born of the passion of three men dedicated to improving the already excellent dining experience at Heure Bleue Palais: director François Laustriat, photographer and publicist Jacques Bachelerie and Val d'Argan estate owner Charles Melia.
All three are enthusiasts of Morocco and of fine wine, their partnership was appropriately founded at Heure Bleue Palais - a historic setting to launch a legendary wine: ‘Heure Bleue Val d'Argan’.
The Val d' Argan domaine was created in 1994 in the region of Essaouira by Charles Melia, now the cradle for this exceptional wine.
The estate, conveniently located just a few miles from Heure Bleue, produces quality wines from Rhône grape varieties - perfect matches for Chef Ahmed Handour’s exciting and innovative cuisine, a cuisine born of sunshine, blending Oriental spices with the flavours of the Mediterranean and Morocco.
The Heure Bleue Val d'Argan awaits your discovery at Heure Bleue’s Salon Oriental restaurant and is also available for purchase at the hotel boutique.
In the evening, the Kemia extends the time of the aperitif in the Salon Anglais with a selection of Oriental tapas and a fabulous selection of wines and cocktails. It is not widely known that
Kemia are Oriental tapas which are prepared from the seafood market, perfect to accompany a time with friends around a fire with the additional discovery of Moroccan wines.
The English Lounge is open throughout the day and in the evening, welcoming its guests in a warm atmosphere with Colonial-inspired decor, precious woods, leather and Oriental
rugs. It's good to share a moment in front of the fireplace with a cocktail, a selection of authentic teas or finest spirits and liqueurs.
The Oriental restaurant is the heart of the gastronomy at Heure Bleue Palais – an elegant Moroccan lounge with a sophisticated, yet cosy atmosphere welcoming its guests on a culinary stepping stone to the realm of exotic flavours. Ahmed Handour, young Head Chef of the Heure Bleue Palais kitchens, offers a nightly menu which is both authentic and of highest gastronomic
standards, serving modern and inventive cuisine that combines to perfection the creativity of classic Moroccan cuisine. On weekends the atmosphere is more festive with theme nights like the Oriental evening on Fridays or a menu around wine on Saturdays.
The Terrace Grill is located on the top floor roof terrace of Heure Bleue Palais. Here - between deck and pool - you can while away
the afternoon in the open-air restaurant with fantastic views and light menu revolving around the sea.
The Orient has always been a land of wellbeing and Morocco is no exception to this tradition - it spreads the art of Oriental treatments from one generation to the next, much to the delight of its inhabitants and visitors. In the region of essential oils and Argan, Heure Bleue Palais in Essaouira offers precious interludes of wellbeing around the tradition of the traditional Hammam and
massages. Hammam & treatments at Heure Bleue Palais demonstrate that everyone can fully experience invaluable moments of relaxation.The personalised care programme in this intimate space with a traditional Hammam and two treatment rooms revolves around scrubs, wraps, massages and various treatments with essential oils and natural products.
The Heure Bleue Palais treatment salon features a traditional Hammam and two massage rooms.
Heure Bleue Palais uses a range of 100% natural beauty and skin care products, made in Morocco.
It is a unique place to appreciate height, enjoy the sun and feast the eyes on this unparalleled panorama of the entire city with ocean and hinterland beyond.
The wellness arrangements and the Oriental treatments at Heure Bleue Palais immerse you in time honoured Moroccan tradition.
Adjacent to the courtyard patio, the billiard room gives players the opportunity to test their skills, American or French style.
Ahmed Handour, passionate about Oriental cuisine, wishes to extend this experience to his kitchen by sharing his knowledge and passion.
Designed by Gary Player, the South African Golf legend, they combine harmoniously wide fairways, wild bunkers, water points and overhead obstructions.
Explore the landscape around Essaouira - beach, countryside and beyond - on horseback or by camel with an experienced guide.
As well as a high energy water sport thrill, jet skiing is also ideal for discovery of the Essaouira coastline from a completely different perspective.
Amongst the ‘new generation’ water sports kiteboarding is proving very popular. The city also hosts a stage of the Kiteboard Pro World Tour World Cup.
Discover the town, beach and countryside at your leisure. Your bike is dropped off for you at the hotel and collected afterwards.
A thrilling guided excursion riding through the dunes of Essaouira! Several routes are available depending on your ability and requirements, ranging in length from 1 hour to 1 day.
The partners offer a daily boat trip around the Purpuraires or Mogador Islands with departure from Essaouira port.
With beautiful, diverse beaches and surfing spots, Essaouira offers an ideal combination for beginners and experienced surfers alike.
Essaouira and its surrounds have many walking routes that invite to discover places inaccessible by other means - enjoy a wilderness in the safe company of experienced guides.
HEURE BLEUE PALAIS
Rue Ibn BatoutaEssaouiraMorocco