TRANQUILITY SIMPLICITY BLUE
WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL?
Le Kaouki is a unique and charming hotel; a family beach house with a soul. We are located in Sidi Kaouki, Morocco, a small Berber village full of fishermen and surfers, 20 minutes south of Essaouira, well off the beaten track between the Atlantic ocean and the argan groves. A truly authentic experience of Berber hospitality awaits you in a setting of understated elegance and elevated simplicity. Spend your days on miles of sandy beaches just steps away, your evenings with fresh home-cooked Moroccan meals, then retire to candlelit rooms that are simple, yet comfortable, and be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves, and the occasional braying donkey. At hotel Le Kaouki, you can truly unplug and reconnect to a slower, more authentic way of life.
ROOMS & AMMENITIES
Our hotel has 8 bedrooms that share 3 bathrooms, and a suite with its own bathroom. We can accommodate a total of 20 people in various combinations of single and double beds, with up to 3 people per room. A crib is available upon request. Some bedrooms feature ocean views, while others look out either onto the courtyard or toward the hills. We do not require a minimum stay, but friends of Le Kaouki know that it takes at least two nights of sea air and candlelit dinners to fully appreciate the unique experience we offer. Prices are per room, per night.
SINGLE
1 person
Shared bathroom
With breakfast…29€
With breakfast & dinner…45€
DOUBLE
2 people
Shared bathroom
With breakfast…39€
With breakfast & dinner…69€
Sea view, breakfast…49€
Sea view, dinner…79€
TRIPLE
3 people
Shared bathroom
With breakfast…59€
With breakfast & dinner…105€
LA SUITE
2 people
Private bathroom
With breakfast…69€
With breakfast & dinner…99€
Want to rent the Hotel le Kaouki for a large group event or retreat?
The whole hotel, including staff and meals (daily breakfast and dinner) can accommodate 20 people
and is available to rent starting at 790€ per night.
THE RESTAURANT
We specialize in home-cooked, healthful, authentic cuisine. We use only the freshest local produce, whole grains, and clean triple-filtered water. The day’s menu depends on what the fishermen and farmers bring to us each morning. Meals are served communally, and typically feature grilled fish, kefta, tajines, couscous, or other traditional Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes.
ACTIVITIES
COASTAL WALKS
There are many ways to explore the beaches of Sidi Kaouki. We can provide you with a picnic and a guide to lead you on walks of any length and difficulty.
SURFING, WINDSURFING, KITE-SURFING
There are several kite and surf schools in Sidi Kaouki. We work with professional surf guides and are happy to help rent surf equipment or arrange lessons.
SWIMMING & RELAXING
Lounge chairs and beach umbrellas are available for rent at the beach. Sun hats, beach baskets and towels can be found in your room!
HORSEBACK RIDING
Sidi Kaouki is home to several stables with well-tended horses. We can arrange for a ride along the beach, to the waterfalls, and through the Argan groves.
CAMEL RIDES
Riding a camel along the beach is a once in a lifetime experience! Enjoy one of Sidi Kaouki’s most impressive adventures. The local camels are gentle and good-natured animals who live in harmony with the community.
DONKEY RIDES FOR KIDS
If the camels are too intimidating for the little ones, we are happy to organize donkey rides for them!
WELLNESS
We can arrange for outings to a traditional hammam in Essaouira where you can enjoy a steam bath, scrub, and massage. If you prefer not to leave the hotel, we can arrange for in-room massages using luxurious argan oil from the region.
GOLF
The beautiful 18-hole golf course of Essaouira-Diabat is just a few kilometers away from our hotel. You can reach it in 20 minutes by car or taxi, which we are happy to arrange for you.
COOKING CLASSES
The kitchen is the heart of le Kaouki! Guests of all ages are welcome to learn how to cook Moroccan dishes with our chefs Khadija and Rabia. Try your hand at making a tajine, couscous, or traditional pastries. Everything is delicious!
ESSAOUIRA
A visit to Essaouira is a must during your stay at le Kaouki. The beautiful old city boasts an authentic port and many welcoming cafés and restaurants. There are opportunities to shop for jewelry, spices, textiles, marquetry, leather goods and so much more. Don’t hesitate to ask us for shopping tips!
ARGAN OIL
Throughout the region of Sidi Kaouki you’ll find the precious shade of argan trees. The oil extracted from the trees’ nuts is both a delicacy and a star ingredient in our kitchen. If you would like to tour one of the local argan oil cooperatives (most are entirely run by Moroccan women), we are happy to organize a visit.
CELEBRATIONS
At Le Kaouki we love to laugh, dance, and celebrate. We have hosted countless parties, weddings, birthdays, music events and more. Let us organize an event for you!
FAQ
Sidi Kaouki is a 20-minute drive south from Essaouira, on the Atlantic coast. To get there from Essaouira, take the Route d’Agadir out of town, and after 20 km turn right on the Sidi Kaouki road, then drive another 8 km to the village. The drive from Marrakech or Agadir takes about 3 hours. The Essaouira airport is just 10 minutes away from our hotel, but there are fewer flights to it than to the Marrakech or Agadir airports.
There are regular and comfortable Marrakech-Essaouira and Agadir-Essaouira bus lines. Cabs from Essaouira to Sidi Kaouki cost around 15€. Marrakech or Agadir to Sidi-Kaouki is 75€, and there are car rental companies throughout the country.
Don’t get confused by the many hotels with “Kaouki” in their name: there are blue, green, yellow, and beach kaoukis. We are the original! We are called “Le Kaouki” or “Hotel-Restaurant Le Kaouki”, and you can easily find us by looking for our logo of the Berber couple. When you enter the village’s main road, turn left at the Surf Station and drive or walk half a minute, and you’re there!
Roro is the irreplaceable former owner of Le Kaouki. She is responsible for creating the original concept of Le Kaouki. After many years in Morocco, Roro returned to Germany in September of 2022 but promises to return to visit often. The new owners, Emily and Albert, promise our returning guests that they will find the same warmth and spirit at le Kaouki as in their previous stays.
As of October 1, 2022, Emily and Albert are the new owners of Le Kaouki. Albert’s roots are from the Tafilalet region in Morocco. He grew up in Marseille, France, and lives in Berkeley, California where he plays guitar and takes photos. Emily grew up near San Francisco and is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in Moroccan history. They first met in Morocco in 1994, and were long time guests of Le Kaouki before deciding to take it over themselves.
We plan to keep the same vibe at le kaouki, including everyone’s favorite candlelit dinners, but with new owners will come some improvements. An entirely new kitchen, a private bathroom in the terrace room #10, more greenery as soon as we get connected to the city water, a professional telescope to admire the beautiful night skies from the rooftop, more elaborate menus (including traditional Moroccan Jewish specialties), healthy food choices, high quality filtered water, a powerful espresso machine, and better adapted spaces for group retreats.
There are a few reasons why we suggest that our guests stay a minimum of 2 nights. The first one is ecological: water is an extremely precious commodity in Sidi Kaouki and in Morocco in general. As such, we want to minimize the amount of laundry we do whenever possible. The second reason is more social: we have found that our guests are much happier when they are free to enjoy an entire day at the beach followed by dinner without having to deal with suitcases and transportation.
Yes, we have a mini WiFi zone near the office to easily check emails and messages. The quality of the network is excellent. But out of respect for our customers, we all avoid the use of screens in common areas.
Yes, all reservations are half-board only, meaning daily breakfast and dinner is included. We humbly believe we are the best restaurant in town, and we are very careful with the products and water we use.
The best way to make a reservation is to contact us through this website indicating your preferred dates and room preferences. You can also email us directly at info@lekaouki.com or through WhatsApp at +212 6 00 92 54 45. We are generally able to answer any requests within 24 hours. If you are in a hurry, or need same day restaurant reservations, you can always call the hotel’s local landline at 06 40 24 54 89.
All reservations require a 30% deposit paid via PayPal. You don’t need to have a PayPal account, nor need to register for one to do this; just choose the guest check-out option on the link we will send you and simply pay with a credit card. The balance of your invoice will be paid onsite at the hotel and in cash only, so please plan ahead. Any other arrangements must be discussed with us prior to your arrival.
If you are a guide, a tour operator, a retreat organizer, or plan to bring a group, please contact us directly at info@lekaouki.com and we’ll be happy to discuss our partners program.
We require a 30% deposit to book a reservation. This deposit is non-refundable.
We can accept dogs that weigh less than 15lb/7kg.
CONTACT INFO
Hotel-Restaurant Le Kaouki
Km20 route d’Agadir
44125 Sidi Kaouki
Province d’Essaouira, Maroc
Mailing address
BP490, 44000 Essaouira, Maroc
Reception: 06 40 24 54 89
WhatsApp: +212 6 00 92 54 45
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Under new ownership as of October 2022!
