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Ancient Medina Vacation house rental with beach/lake nearby, internet access, balcony/terrace and walking

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From the owner

  • House
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 8
  • 7 nights min stay
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Key information

  • 100% refund within 24 hours after booking. See Policies & House Rules
  • Beach/lakeside relaxation
  • Child friendly
  • Car not necessary
  • Pet friendly
  • Private garden

From the owner

5 Columns is in the ancient medina of Essaouira, Southern Morocco’s favourite beach town. A beautiful 200-year-old house in the authentic and friendly Chbanat area, famous for its textile and craft workshops, and near to the main gate of Bab Marrakech. The house is located at the back of the souks with lots of local shops nearby with helpful shopkeepers on hand to provide all you will need for your stay. Essaouira is a food-lovers heaven, with cafés and restaurants all within walking distance from the house, and the beach just a 10-minute stroll.

The Medina, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the beautiful fishing harbour are great places to explore. There is a stunning sandy beach, with many beachside cafes and restaurants, and the bustling harbour, all within walking distance from the house. The beach is great for kite and windsurfing, along with camel and horse rides to the famous crumbling fort, Bordj El Berod. If you love fresh fish and seafood, the fish stalls by the harbour offer a wide variety of local produce. Simply choose your fresh fish from the stand and they will cook it and bring to your table. Unlike the big city that is Marrakech, Essaouira is laidback and timeless with sandy-coloured ramparts, whitewashed avenues, French-style piazzas, and a port full of azure blue fishing boats.

The house has been sympathetically restored, retaining all the original features such as the sandstone columns, thuya wood ceilings and the antique tiled floor of the inner courtyard. It is furnished with a mix of vintage & modern European furniture and art, with some beautiful Moroccan antiques and paintings by local artists, alongside works by contemporary British artists. Split over four floors, the house has two garden roof terraces; one with a kitchen and bar - great for outside dining and looking out across the medina rooftops, the other terrace is perfect for late afternoon sun. There are four double bedrooms, all with en-suite wet room bathrooms, and two cosy snug lounge rooms with large open fireplaces, and comfortable chairs. The bright covered courtyard dining area with a large dining table seating eight, is surrounded by mature plants, and is located next to the fully equipped kitchen, ideal for long lazy breakfasts, and dinner at home.

Our housekeeper Fatima will provide general cleaning during your stay and is also available to prepare food on request, at an additional cost. You will be met on arrival by our house manager Rachid, who will also be your point of contact during your stay. On your arrival, you will be taken on a short tour of the medina by Rachid, who can also help arrange excursions, taxis, or anything else you may need.

We offer a minimum 7-night stay, but shorter stays are available on request, and will be quoted based on the number of guests, and the number of nights. The minimum would be 3 nights for shorter stays.

Also available for location shoots on request.

Essaouira airport is a short 20-minute taxi ride to the house. You can also fly to Marrakech airport; the journey time is approximately 2.5 hours to Essaouira. We can arrange taxi transfers from all airports - costs will be provided upon request.

LOCATION: Essaouira, Morocco.

CLOSEST AIRPORT: Essaouira (20 mins drive); Marrakech (2.5hrs drive).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Essaouira has a pleasant temperature all year round with high temperatures from early April, through to late November.

POPULAR EVENTS: The Gnaoua World Music Festival, Essaouira's biggest annual event, is held for three days, every June - early booking is recommended.

ADDRESS: 90, Rue Moulay Ismail, Medina, Essaouira, Morocco.

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Amenities

Bed & bathroom

  • Bedroom 1: Full bed
  • Bedroom 2: Full bed
  • Bedroom 3: Full bed
  • Bedroom 4: Full bed
  • 4 En suites

Families

  • Great for children of all ages
  • Pets welcome

Access

  • Not suitable for wheelchair users

Essentials

  • Wi-Fi available
  • Private garden
  • BBQ
  • Solarium or roof terrace
  • Balcony or terrace
  • Internet access
  • Fireplace
  • Staffed property
  • Stove
  • Fridge
  • Freezer
  • Kettle
  • Washing machine
  • Linen provided
  • Towels provided

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A traditional Riad in the Medina of Morocco’s favourite beach town, Essaouira. – Home 208636

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7 Nights min stay

    Owner fees cover things like cleaning. Click Book now to review a full breakdown of the cost before making your payment.

    Psst! Rentals are first come, first serve.

    Book now to increase your chances of staying here.

    A traditional Riad in the Medina of Morocco’s favourite beach town, Essaouira. – Home 208636

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    Map

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    Availability

    Cancellation policy

    Full refund

    100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).

    Partial refund

    50% refund of the amount paid (minus the booking fee*) if cancelled at least 8 weeks before check-in.

    25% refund of the amount paid (minus the booking fee*) if cancelled at least 4 weeks before check-in.

    No refund

    No refund if cancelled less than 4 weeks before check-in.

    100% refund100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
    Booking confirmed
    50% refund50% refund of the amount paid (minus the booking fee*) if cancelled at least 8 weeks before check-in.
    24 hours after booking
    25% refund25% refund of the amount paid (minus the booking fee*) if cancelled at least 4 weeks before check-in.
    8 weeks before
    No refundNo refund if cancelled less than 4 weeks before check-in.
    4 weeks before
    Check-in date
    * This fee helps us run our secure platform and enables us to provide 24/7 customer support

    Things to know

    Check in: 11:00 Check out: 11:00
    If you have any questions about check-in or check-out times, please contact the owner/manager.

    Payment

    This rental can only be paid for online through Holiday Lettings using your credit/debit card or PayPal (never by bank or wire transfer).
    Damage deposit: ($124.57) £100.00

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    Smoking

    Yes, smoking allowed

    House rules

    Only the guests that have booked are allowed to stay at the house
    No friends of the guests met whilst on holiday are allowed to stay
    Smoking only allowed in the dining area on the ground floor or on the terraces
    No fireplaces are to be left unattended whilst still alight
    All lights to be switched off when you leave the property
    PLEASE do not sleep in the beds with henna on your body as it stains our lovely white cotton sheets

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    Manager restrictions

    Minimum stay: 7 night

    About the owner

    Lisa B.
    Calendar last updated:
    12 Apr 2024

    Years listed:
    12

    Languages spoken: English, French
    This property is hosted by a private host (consumer) and not a business. Bookings of their property may not be covered by EU or UK consumer protection laws. However, the Tripadvisor Rentals companies will provide you with the same customer service as with any other stay.

    These are the details provided by the business owner.

    Business Name

    Business Address

    Business Telephone

    Business Email

    Other Applicable Information

    Reviews

    5
    Excellent
    38 reviews
    Excellent
    38
    Very Good
    0
    Good
    0
    Poor
    0
    Terrible
    0
    apcJ1966UK

    An incredible city, home, and host
    Aug 2023

    Came to Essaouira on a whim and almost entirely because of the pictures of 5 Columns. The house is every bit as beautiful as it seems in pictures — I couldn't stop taking picture of the fu… More 

    26 Sep 2023

    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

    00arollingstone
    Nayarit, Mexico

    Great place to stay
    Sep 2023

    Good location, nicely designed house with great beds and nice outdoor areas. The house manager Rachid meets you on arrival and gives you a quick and helpful orientation to the medina. Lisa is always a… More 

    21 Sep 2023

    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

    F9334HEjohnm
    Greater London, United Kingdom

    Fantastic property in Essaouira’s medina
    Jul 2023

    Our second visit to 5 Columns and certainly not our last. It’s a beautifully furnished, spacious house within the walls of Essaouira’s vibrant and authentic medina. 5 columns has two rooft… More 

    18 Jul 2023

    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

    Response from the owner
    Hi John, Thank you for your kind words once again. We have loved hosting you and can't wait for your next visit! Lisa, Liggy, Fatima & Rachid

    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

    nicolaw2017

    An escape of delightful beauty and ambience
    Mar 2023

    As soon as we arrived and entered 5 Columns it was just an attack on the creative senses. A pure WOW moment on entering the Riad. Beautifully interior designed amd impossible to choose which room to s… More 

    5 Apr 2023

    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

    Response from the owner
    Hi Nicola, that’s such a lovely review. Thank you for choosing to stay with us. We look forward to hosting you in the future. Best wishes. Lisa

    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

    FHill1234

    The most incredible house in the Medina! Essaouira’s jewel!
    Mar 2023

    5 Columns was a jewel in Essaouira’s crown! A wonderful warm welcome and dinner from Fatima really started our trip off to a brilliant start. Essaouira offers wonderful water sports, shopping, g… More 

    23 Mar 2023

    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

    Response from the owner
    Hi Fozia, It was great to host you! Thank you, we look forward to seeing you again! x

    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

    Review 1-5 of 38

    FAQs

    How do I find more info about the property?

    You can get in touch with Lisa (the owner) through the contact form on this page.

    If you’ve already booked, go to Manage your holiday booking to send the owner a message.

    What if I have questions before I book?

    Send Lisa (the owner) an email through the contact form on this page. Alternatively, if there’s a phone number on this page, you can call them.

    How do I contact Lisa (the owner)?

    Send an email through the contact form on this page. Or if there’s a phone number on this page, you can call them.

    If you’ve already booked, go to Manage your holiday booking to view Lisa the owner's contact details or send them a message.

    What's the difference between 'Book your stay' and 'Contact the owner/manager'?

    Use the Book your stay form to pay provisionally online and send Lisa (the owner) a booking request. You’ll find out within 24 hours whether they’ve accepted - no money will leave your account before then

    Or send Lisa (the owner) an enquiry through the Contact the owner/manager form if you’d like a quote or more info first.

    What is a booking request?

    When you pay online through the Book your stay form, a booking request is sent to Lisa (the owner). You’ll find out within 24 hours whether they’ve accepted - no money will leave your account before then.

    Only bookings paid for through our site are covered by our trusted Payment Protection.

    How do I know my booking is safe?

    To book this holiday home you need to pay through the Holiday Lettings website. Only bookings paid for through our site are covered by our trusted Payment Protection. This means that in the unlikely event that you’re prevented or denied access to your holiday home when you check in, we’ll offer a full refund for the stay.

    Find out more about booking safely.

    How do I know what it will cost for my stay?

    Simply enter your holiday dates in the Book your stay form to calculate the cost of your stay.
    Click Book now to see a full breakdown of the price.

    You can also request a quote from Lisa (the owner) through the contact form. The owner will email you the total cost for your dates and a link to book and pay online.

    How do I know if my booking request has been accepted?

    You’ll receive an email within 24 hours to let you know. Or you can check in Manage your holiday booking. No money will leave your account unless it’s accepted.

    How do I pay for my holiday?

    Use the Book your stay form to pay provisionally online. You can pay by credit/debit card or PayPal. Lisa (the owner) will have 24 hours to accept the booking and no money will leave your account before then.

    If you’ve been sent a quote, simply accept it and pay online through the email we sent you. You can also do this in Manage your holiday booking.

    Only bookings paid for through our site are covered by our trusted Payment Protection.

    Why can't I call Lisa (the owner) before booking?

    You can exchange contact details with the property owner/manager once your booking is confirmed and you’ve paid in full. Paying and communicating only through our platform allows us to ensure that your booking is covered by our Payment Protection policy.

    If you have any questions before booking, you can send the property owner/manager a message via the contact form on their listing. Once you’ve booked, you can discuss the rental and make arrangements for your trip by logging into Manage my booking.

    How do damage deposits work?

    In most cases, you don’t pay a damage deposit up front. Instead, we save your payment details securely and you’re only charged in the event of damage to the property.

    Occasionally, you will pay a damage deposit up front as part of the total rental cost. In this case, the owner has 10 days after you check out to report any damage. If they don’t, we’ll return your deposit. If their claim is successful, we’ll deduct the agreed cost and return the remainder.

    How can I view and manage my booking?

    Go to Manage your holiday booking to view all your booking details, pay the balance of your holiday or cancel it if you need to.

    How do I pay the balance of my holiday?

    You can pay the remaining balance of your holiday at any point. Simply go to Manage my holiday booking and click Pay now.

    We’ll automatically charge the balance payment to the same payment method 10 days before it’s due. Go to Manage my holiday booking to see when the payment will be taken.

    How can I retract my booking request?

    You’ll need to contact Lisa (the owner) to do this. Send them a message in Manage your holiday booking or through the contact form on this page.

    How do I cancel my booking?

    Go to Manage your holiday booking to cancel your booking. Here you can view your cancellation policy to see if you’ll be refunded.

    How do I edit my booking?

    You can request to change the dates or number of people on your booking via the Manage your holiday booking page. To change your holiday dates use the Edit booking button. If you need to change the number of guests staying then send Lisa (the owner) a message.

    If Lisa (the owner) agrees, they’ll send you a revised quote outlining the changes. You can review and accept/decline this from the Manage your holiday booking page. You’ll have 48 hours to take action before the revised quote expires.

    View all FAQs

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    38 reviews
    from

     $184 

    / night
    Total
    Contact owner
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    38 reviews
    from

     $184 

    / night
    Total
    Contact owner
    Book now