Villa Laba
Rustic Berber elegance meets slow-living detox retreat. Think candlelit dinners, handwoven textiles, terracotta floors, vintage cedarwood doors, and the sound of roosters and donkeys outside the gate. No clocks. No screens. Just sun by day and flickering lanterns by night.
Book Room 1 if you want the best ocean views — it has unusually high ceilings and the prime Atlantic panorama.
Why It Matters
One of the very few hotels in Morocco — and arguably in the world — that genuinely bans electric lighting as a design and wellness philosophy, not a gimmick. Built entirely by hand over four years using traditional Berber construction methods. Created by the co-founder of Filippa K and a Corsica-based architect. Listed on Tablet Hotels.
Villa Laba is a 9-room boutique guesthouse sitting inside a Berber hamlet called Douar Ichaouine, perched 2km above the surf village of Sidi Kaouki on Morocco's Atlantic coast. There is no electric lighting anywhere on the property — evenings run on candles and lanterns — and WiFi exists only in the library. It's a deliberate, fully committed slow-down concept, designed by French architect Thomas Fourtané and his partner Filippa Knutsson, co-founder of Swedish fashion label Filippa K. The architecture uses limestone walls, rammed earth insulation, and hand-chiselled stone, all built over four years using traditional methods.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Room 1 — Superior Ocean
From EUR210 / nightBright and elegant with high ceilings and the best ocean view on the property. A covered private terrace faces the Atlantic directly. Considered the most sought-after room.
Double 180cm · 30 sqm
Room 2 — Superior Ocean Lounge
From EUR210 / nightSpacious room with a dedicated lounge area and a private terrace overlooking the ocean. More living space than Room 1 at the same price point.
Double 180cm · 30 sqm
Room 3 — Standard Courtyard
From EUR170 / nightA cosy, courtyard-facing room with a spacious terrace at the rear. Slightly smaller than the superior rooms but still comfortable, with flexible bed configuration.
Double 180cm or Twin 90cm · 22 sqm
Room 4 — Standard Courtyard
From EUR170 / nightMirror configuration to Room 3. A cosy courtyard-facing room with a large rear terrace. Good value entry point for the property.
Double 180cm or Twin 90cm · 22 sqm
Room 5 — Superior Garden
From EUR210 / nightBright and the largest of the superior rooms, with its own walled private garden and terrace. Good for guests who want maximum outdoor privacy.
Double 180cm · 31 sqm
Room 6 — Ocean Suite
From EUR260 / nightThe largest accommodation on the property. A full suite with separate bedroom, living room, and terrace, all oriented to face the ocean. Accessed directly from the garden. At 49m2 it has genuine space to breathe.
Double 180cm · 49 sqmRoom 7 — Standard Pool View
From EUR190 / nightBright room with ocean views and direct, easy access to the pool area. Good choice for guests who plan to spend a lot of time at the pool.
Double 160cm · 24 sqmRoom 8 — Beldi Pool
From EUR170 / nightThe most characterful and rustic room on the property. Simple, close to the pool area, with tactile handmade details that lean furthest into the traditional Berber aesthetic. Most affordable option.
Double 160cm · 24 sqmRoom 9 — Bungalow Ocean
From EUR210 / nightA standalone bedroom-bungalow with double terraces that offer both shelter and privacy. Faces the ocean, accessible from the garden. Has a wood burning stove rather than underfloor heating, adding to its cosy standalone character.
Double 180cm · 26 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Inland scenic hiking trails weave through villages with views over valleys of argan forest. The hotel can assist with arrangements.
Sidi Kaouki Beach stretches 2.5km and is a 2km walk down a dusty road from the property. Good for walking, running, and swimming — though the Atlantic water is cool.
Horse riding along the Atlantic coastline is a popular excursion from the property. The hotel can help arrange.
Essaouira's UNESCO medina is 25km away — about 30 minutes by car. The hotel can help arrange local transportation.
Traditional wood-heated hammam with steam bath, black soap scrub, and oil massage. On-site, a few steps from rooms.
A curated guest library with books available to borrow. The only place in the hotel with WiFi (fiber optic connection). A separate small room adjacent to the library can be privatised for online meetings.
Sidi Kaouki is one of Morocco's top surf spots. Board and kite surf conditions are excellent, with surf shops and instructors in the village below. The hotel can arrange local transportation.
Rectangular outdoor pool suited for swimming laps, with comfortable sun beds and pool-house refreshments. Sun blessed by the Atlantic coast climate year-round.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Zero electric lighting throughout the hotel. Evenings are lit by candles and lanterns. Each room has a hidden socket in the wardrobe for phone charging, and clip-on book lights for reading.
Solar energy powers underfloor heating in all rooms (Room 9 has a wood burning stove instead). Keeps interiors comfortable year-round.
Fiber optic WiFi available in the library only. Adjoining private room for video calls or online meetings. No WiFi elsewhere in the hotel.
Every room has its own private terrace connecting to the shared garden.
A large shaded pergola for daytime meals or relaxation, open to the ocean panorama. Cushioned benches throughout multiple terrace areas.
Rectangular pool suited for lap swimming, with comfortable sun beds and pool house refreshments.
Beehives on the property supply honey used at breakfast. Part of the hotel's sustainable and local approach.
Villa Laba can arrange transfers from Essaouira-Mogador Airport (20 minutes away). Guests can stay car-free with the hotel's help for local transport.
Traditional on-site hammam, steps from guest rooms.
BUILD YOUR VILLA LABA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning