Villa Laba is a nine-room guesthouse in Sidi Kaouki, just south of Essaouira. Founded and designed by French architect Thomas Fourtané and Swedish fashion designer Filippa Knutson, Villa Laba is inspired by the couple's collective travel experience and love for Morocco, their favorite destination.
Fourtané and Knutson’s experience as architects and designers unite to create a villa of style, ease, and slow living. Earthy tones and simple décor frame the garden, ocean views, and communal areas that encourage guests to unwind. Rooms are minimal and comfortable, featuring soft textiles, local craft, and private terraces. Each of the nine rooms opens onto a private terrace—some with sea views, others with shaded garden outlooks. Inside, the style is minimal and functional, a nod to the couple’s sharp eye for design. The beds are large and comfortable, and all rooms come with private bathrooms.
Mornings start with breakfast on the patio, while evenings end with home-cooked tagines and mint tea. The villa includes a traditional hammam, an intimate pool area, and shaded lounges that invite a moment for pause. The laid-back vibe extends to the service: welcoming, warm, and low-key.
Whether you’re here to surf, rest, or both, Villa Laba sets the pace unhurried and steady. The shaded dining area and outdoor lounges offer plenty of space to unwind. There's also a pool tucked into the courtyard and regular yoga classes offered on a rooftop terrace facing the sea. For families, one of the rooms includes a second sleeping area for kids. The Villa welcomes children fifteen and over.
At night, the villa refuses electric light, welcoming a warm candlelight instead. Similarly, rooms do not have wifi, encouraging guests to unplug and enjoy their stay.
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Sidi Kaouki is known for consistent year-round surf. The main beach, 25 minutes by car, offers sandy-bottom beach breaks perfect for beginners and intermediates. For more seasoned surfers, Moulay Bouzerktoun is 30 km north, known for strong winds and hollow reef breaks. Imsouane, about 90 km south, features a famously long right-hand point break—ideal for longboarders and cruisers. Morning offshore winds keep conditions clean early, and the area stays relatively uncrowded.
Villa Laba provides homemade Moroccan meals, served daily in the communal dining area or outside in the garden. Breakfast includes fresh bread, local jams, eggs, and fruit. Dinners feature classic tagines, couscous, and grilled fish, made with local ingredients and served family-style. A small honesty bar offers Moroccan wines and soft drinks. In nearby Sidi Kaouki, a few local cafés serve grilled seafood, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh juices.
Sidi Kaouki is a small coastal village 25 km south of Essaouira, known for its year-round wind. Gusts are at their strongest during the summer, making it an optimal location for wind, foil, and kitesurfing. In the other months, when the wind dies down, Essaouira presents ideal conditions for board surfers. Warm during the day, Essaouira experiences a chill at night. Villa Laba encourages guests to bring both sweaters and swimsuits in their suitcases. The nearest airport is Essaouira-Mogador (ESU), a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Taxis and car rentals are available at the airport. Essaouira’s culture blends Berber, Arab, and French influences. It’s a laid-back, tolerant city with a vibrant arts and music scene tracing back to its rich history as the main trading port of Morocco in the 19th century. Guests can visit Essaouira’s historic medina, try horseback riding on the beach, or take yoga classes at Villa Laba.
Address: Douar Marjana, Sidi Kaouki 44125, Morocco
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 12:00
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