Jorge and his son Pablo run a wonderful bed & breakfast, located in Essaouira's beautiful medina. We had some trouble finding the place and we were hazzled by our local porters that Dar Skala was closed for the local holidays and to go instead with a much more expensive hotel. These porters help you to get your luggage to your destination from the bus station; using a hand cart. We paid 30 Durham. We dumped our porters and eventually managed to get hold of Jorge. It was worth it. Dar Skala is a lovely homely bed & breakfast. The roof terrace gives a wonderful view over the ocean, the ancient ramparts, and the medina itself.

We ended up staying an extra 3 days as we both picked up stomach problems from the local food. Advise: avoid eating salads or anything uncooked, as the tap water is not safe. Jorge and Pablo, and their help Aisha, looked after us well.

The rooms look out on a local alley way, which tends to be very noisy. Ear plugs provide an easy solution. Try to get the large room on the top floor, which is a bit quieter and is wonderfully roomy.

I got back from Essaouira a few weeks ago and keep thinking about it....we had a great time!!

I went with 2 friends. One of them has stayed at Dar Skala several times; she goes to Essauoira at least once a year. Us 2 novices loved it too. It's a quaint old house in the very heart of the town. On the practical side, there's a kitchen, 2 bathrooms (with showers, not baths), a living room and two roof terraces; one between the kitchen and one of the dbl bedrooms (ideal for eating outdoors and drying holiday laundry), the other, another flight up, with views over the rooftops of the town to the East and the town ramparts and the Atlantic to the West). Bedding and towels are provided.

We spent most of the time at Dar Skala eating/chatting in the kitchen and sun bathing and relaxing on the roof terrace, gazing at the ocean.

Jorge, the landlord, is a gem: friendly, charming, helpful, relaxed and respectful. His dog, Luna, is a complete gentle sweetie.
The housekeeper, Aicha, is wonderful. She provided us with breakfast and dinner, on request (for a very reasonable fee).

Dar Skala is not a sophisticated boutique hotel but it is a perfect place for hanging out with friends or for a romantic hideaway.

Great loction, fabulous views.....fab!!

Spent a week at Dar Skala. Enjoyed every minute!
Jorge, the owner, is charming and helpful. Speaks French and Spanish, and enough English to offer advice on dining out and local information. Will meet you at a landmark local cafe and guide you to the B&B as it's a little hidden away.
To have the superb view Dar Skala offers, you have to climb stairs. They are really not difficult unless you are old or infirm. And the views from the terrace are stupendous out over the ocean and across the town. The rooms have more limited views but are all light and airy.
I was in a single and it representing stunningly good value with a good breakfast of orange juice, croissant, jam, coffee and baguette if you still have space.
Very well located about 3 minutes walk from the main square, the port, and the souk.
The rooms are as quiet as you can expect in an active town. The only potential disturbance is the call to prayer in the early morning and the sound of bakers going to work...
There is a cool and light salon with wifi access, and two bathrooms with shower.
And the final bonus is Luna, the resident 9 year old dog who I'm sure everyone would like to take home with them.
I loved this place; and I loved experiencing Essaouira which has huge variety on offer without being too spoiled by tourism.

After my 7th stays @ riad Dar Skala, Jorge deserves a feedback !
The riad is a quiet guesthouse with a terrace viewing the ocean as a selling point.
I feel confortable and well cared for; the rooms are simple , quirky ,clean including fresh linen and towels provided , Breakfast is always generous, Thank you Rachida!
Jorge is the charming pround owner of "this getaway place" , Luna the dog his eternel compagnon!
I always come back as it is always a plaisir to wake up in the morning , smelling hot bread and coffe, enjoying breakfast on that Fab terrace watching the sea waves crashing on the remparts, the fishermens in their boat, the sun rising, eating fresh barbecued fish locally and wasting an afternoon on the beach to hurry back to the riads terrace to enjoys as always, some fantastic sunsets!
Essaouira is my paradise place, riad dar skala is always my getaway,!
Thank you Jorge and Rachida, hug and kiss for Luna