Essaouira: RISMA and Sofitel Inaugurate the Sofitel Essaouira Beach & Spa Following Major Renovations
Risma and Sofitel Celebrate the Opening of Sofitel Essaouira Beach & Spa
Risma, the premier historical hotel operator in Morocco listed on the stock exchange, and Sofitel, the luxury brand of the Accor Group, celebrated the official opening of the Sofitel Essaouira Beach & Spa on Thursday in Essaouira. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and just a few minutes from the medina, this establishment aims to strengthen the city’s positioning as a high-end tourist destination while enhancing its cultural identity.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by notable figures including André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty the King and founding president of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, Sofia Lopez Benhamida, General Director of Risma, as well as representatives from the Accor Group, institutional and tourism partners, and teams from both organizations.
During the event, André Azoulay reminded attendees of the historic significance of the establishment, marking the first Sofitel hotel in Morocco and the starting point for the Accor Group’s expansion in the Kingdom. He highlighted the evolution of the destination, which has grown from seven hotels at the brand’s arrival to nearly 600 units today, welcoming over 1.5 million tourists, with the aim of soon surpassing two million visitors.
Sofia Lopez Benhamida noted that this reopening represents an important milestone for Risma. Acquired in 2000, the hotel originally carried the Sofitel brand before becoming an MGallery in 2008. The recent renovation seeks to enhance its positioning and create an identity that aligns with Sofitel’s standards.
She also emphasized Risma’s commitment to a conception of luxury based on simplicity, warmth, and human connection, while valuing local heritage and placing its teams at the heart of this new dynamic.
For Maud Bailly, General Director of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery, and Emblems, the establishment embodies the fusion of French elegance with the free, creative, and multicultural spirit of Essaouira. Markus Keller, Director of Operations at Accor, highlighted the city’s rich heritage and culture, along with its unique relationship with the ocean.
The hotel features 119 rooms and suites, with nearly one-third offering direct views of the Atlantic. The renovation has prioritized noble materials such as marble, granite, and wood, while incorporating references to local craftsmanship and Gnawa culture. A complete transformation of the spa and beach restaurant is planned for completion by the end of 2027.
Culinary offerings are centered around several dining spaces. The Rivages restaurant showcases local products and Atlantic treasures, while L’Oasis provides Mediterranean cuisine by the pool. Côté Plage specializes in grilled fish and seafood, and the Orson’s Club welcomes guests in a vibrant and friendly atmosphere.
Beyond its hotel operations, the establishment employs over 100 staff members, 85% of whom are from Essaouira and its surrounding region. Nearly 40% of the workforce consists of women, with more than 40 employees having worked at the hotel for 10 to 20 years.
Risma has also established partnerships with the Elkhir Women’s Association to promote the socio-professional integration of women, and with Mahjouba Com for sourcing local products for its buffet, including amlou and argan oil.
This reopening comes at a time of increased accessibility to the destination, particularly marked by the resumption of the direct Casablanca-Essaouira flight by Royal Air Maroc on October 28, 2026. This new route complements existing connections with several European cities.
Through this new chapter, Risma and Sofitel reaffirm their ambition to support the tourism development of Essaouira by offering a hotel experience that blends international standards with local heritage and community engagement.
