Hotel Details
Villa la Diouana
| Region: | The Atlantic Coast |
| Location: | Oualidia |
| Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Type | Low | Mid | High | |
| Villa |
3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
|
see below | see below | see below |
| Cottage |
1 bedroom, sleeps 2
|
see below | see below | see below |
| Apartment |
1 bedroom, sleeps 2
|
see below | see below | see below |
| Please note: All prices are per room per night | ||||
Check Availability
Facilities
Swimming pool
Air-conditioning
Spa on site
Sunbathing area
Internet connection
Disabled friendly
Vegetarian food
Smoking
Child-friendly
Bar and drinks
In-house restaurant
OtherLaundry service on request.
Description
Listed as one of the six best African beach resorts by The Independent, Villa la Diouana sits over a lagoon in Oualidia on the Atlantic Coast. This peaceful location is heightened by the villa’s intimate layout and the surrounding 25,000 square foot garden of palm trees, pines, bougainvillea and many more shrubs and plants. Whilst it is an ideal location for couples, groups of friends or small families are also warmly received.
Villa la Diouana, built in the 1930s and used as a customs house, was renovated over seven years, producing a carefully constructed main villa, cottage and private apartment. The renovation preserved traditional elements such as tadlakt floors and woodwork, but has placed emphasis on a fresh minimalist style with its smooth whitewashed interiors with high ceilings welcome guests. Within the villa, the master bedroom boasts a sea view, whilst the two separate en-suite bedrooms overlook the extensive gardens. The private cottage, hidden in the garden, provides a bedroom, living room, shower room and patio, whilst the apartment (one flight up) features a terrace. As Villa la Diouana is half a mile from the nearest road, this is a highly peaceful spot where the only noise guests may experience is the sound of the cock crowing.
Read MoreAmidst the fertile gardens, guests may find several pet tortoises as well as chameleons. To add to this curious collection of pets, ducks can be found, as can the villa’s friendly guard-dog called Scoot. Guests often like to relax in the gardens on the two hammocks placed within shade, or seek some sun on the roof terrace or patio where sun-loungers are available. For cooler weather, there is an indoor lounge with wood burning stove and stereo, topped off with an ocean view. Additionally a well-stocked library of books on Moroccan culture, history and wildlife can come in handy, or the DVD library that includes children’s entertainment.
Whilst Villa la Diouana has the option of being self-catered due to its large kitchen, meals can easily be arranged with the villa’s maid. Breakfast is included in the price of the stay and is a delicious meal of French crepes, French bread, jams/honey and juices. Lunches and dinners are typically Moroccan; tagines are available, as well as a range of salads. However, guests may prefer to take advantage of Oualidia’s famous seafood: oysters, crab, sea bass and bream can all be prepared on the villa’s barbeque grill. Alternatives for children such as pizza and chips can also be arranged. Meals may be served inside (for up to eight people) or outside for twelve.
As Villa la Diouana is only an eight-minute walk from the coast, it offers plenty of opportunities such as surfing, fishing trips, kayak and pedalo activities and bird-watching and fishing boat-trips, all of which can be arranged through the staff. A local souk (market) is held in Oualidia every saturday, whilst the old Portuguese city of El Jadida may also attract guests, as may the national pottery centre of Morocco in Safi 45 minutes away.
Where is it?
Villa la Diouana is located 3 hours drive from Marrakech airport or 2.5 hours from Casablanca.
Travel Times
| Airport | 2.5 hour drive from Casablanca |
| City | 10 minute walk |
| Beach | 8 minute walk |
Other useful information
Villa la Diouana can organise fishing expeditions around the coast. Additionally 140 species of shorebird have been recorded, offering a bird-lover's paradise.
A swimming pool is planned for Easter 2010
The hotel scores are aggregated individual user scores which have been audited as authentic and accurate through due enquiry by Morocco Gateway.
Morocco Gateway reserves the right to exclude any reviews submitted by users which cannot be validated as authentic and accurate. Equally we will resist any request from any hotel to delist any negative review.
| Condition of rooms and the hotel | 8.5 | Food and drink | 7.5 | |
| Overall cleanliness | 9.0 | Relaxation | 10.0 | |
| Pool and facilities | 7.5 | Value for money | 7.5 | |
| Quality of staff | 8.5 | Overall rating | 8.4 | |
| out of 10 | out of 10 | |||
User Reviews on Villa la Diouana
Below you'll find reviews written by our users, that have stayed in this hotel. The reviews are vetted and verified by us and may have been summarised by our editor to give you a meaningful summary.
The Editor's Summary
Villa la Diouana has provided recent guests with a "week full of bliss" comprising vast "atmospheric and aromatic" "lush grounds of different trees, shrubs and flowers" surrounding the villa, "minimalist’ and ‘spacious" rooms which are also "light and very comfortable" and staff who provide a "personal service"; creating "great simple food" and helping guests make the most of local sights and activities. Guests have "thoroughly recommended" Villa la Diouana for "relaxation and exploration", whether for "families" or couples, looking to "soak up some sun and sea air".
We came here looking for a location out of the city and beside the sea, but nothing too touristy. Villa la Diouana turned out to be the perfect choice. Minimalist, spacious and with personal service from the villa’s staff, we enjoyed a whole week of relaxation and exploration of the beautiful coast nearby.
| Condition of rooms and the hotel | 8.0 | Food and drink | 7.0 | |
| Overall cleanliness | 8.0 | Relaxation | 10.0 | |
| Pool and facilities | 7.0 | Value for money | 7.0 | |
| Quality of staff | 8.0 | Overall rating | 7.9 | |
| out of 10 | out of 10 | |||
Staying at Villa la diouana in January meant a week full of bliss, despite it being a family holiday!
everything about the villa equals peace and relaxation - the villa is set amongst lush grounds of different trees, shrubs and flowers - very atmospheric and aromatic. the sea air which blows in through the windows in the master bedroom. The rooms which are freshly decorated, light and very comfortable, and of course the staff who keep a clean house, can cook up some great simple food, and help with ideas on acitivities during the day. Although this wasnt entirely planned, our days consisted of very energetic activities - the kids wanted to try some water-sports, we took a very successful boat trip around the area and topped it off at the end of the week with a short hike around the seventeenth century kasbah (next door to the villa). As you might imagine, we were pretty tired by the evening and although it would be easy to self-cater, it was even easier to request meals in advance, knowing that by the time we all got back there would be a nutritious meal on the table.
We thoroughly recommend this place for a week, its very welcoming for families like ourselves or for couples in low season who just want to soak up some sun and sea air. 10/10
| Condition of rooms and the hotel | 9.0 | Food and drink | 8.0 | |
| Overall cleanliness | 10.0 | Relaxation | 10.0 | |
| Pool and facilities | 8.0 | Value for money | 8.0 | |
| Quality of staff | 9.0 | Overall rating | 8.9 | |
| out of 10 | out of 10 | |||
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