Riad de la Mer

"First of all the riad is just really attractive and comfortable. Second, the guy who looks after the place and his wife, who cooks breakfast, are extremely helpful and friendly. Third, there's this terrific bathtub in the first floor apartment that you never want to get out of. Fourth, the rooftop terrace is a great place to hang out - the view, the whole vibe. I could go on and on. I was there with my husband, our teenage son and two of our friends. My son is notoriously hard to please, and he loved the place. He never had so much fun. Overall just a terrific place and a screaming deal."

"This riad was perfect after a long trip through Morocco! The rooms were large and comfortable, and the rooftop terrace was a great bonus! The location within Essaouira is perfect - just steps from the square, the medina, and the port. Riad de la Mer is highly recommended!"

"We stayed in this Riad for 6 nights and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. It is in a perfect location with views out to sea and of the bustling harbour. Siada provided excellent breakfasts each day but some variety might have been welcome, although the croissants and coffee were delicious. Abdul was very helpful and explained to us where to buy wine - outside the city walls. We recommend a 'caleche' ride to the far beach - its beautiful and peaceful but just by a rather run down area - it seemed very safe. We ate at fantastic restaurants and tried all the ones recommended by previous guests, via Dianes helpful information sheet. We enjoyed the fact that we had use of a kitchen for lunchtime preparations but wouldn't recommend making an evening meal there as there are so many good restaurants and no where really comforatable to eat at the Raid. Be prepared for the wind!"

"We had enormous expectations of this Riad having stayed in Essaouira twice before in excellent accommodation. I have to say it met all our aspirations and was the climax of our holiday, The location is very central and the views from the top of the Riad are just stunning. Abdul and Saida were extremely helpful and made us feel very comfortable. It felt like our house for the duration of the stay. Its eclectic, tasteful decor added a classy quality to our holiday experience. If I return to Essaouria I couldn't wish for better accommodation."

"We stayed in three Riads during our trip to Morocco and this was by far the best, we booked with Diane in the UK and got lots of info regarding Essaouria plus bus times & costs which was a great help. The riad is in a great spot, near the square so it's very easy to find and is large, airy & spacious inside & very simply decorated with lovely traditional Moroccan bits & pieces. Abdul & his wife Sadia (the caretakers) made us feel very welcome and provided a great breakfast on the terrace every morning. I would definitely recommend staying here and visiting Essaouria it's a lovely charming relaxed town after hectic Marrakesh and we will definitely stay here again."

"We stayed at this beautiful riad and enjoyed the tranquility of Essaouira for a couple of days after experiencing the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. The situation is perfect in a quiet location just off a square with plenty of restaurants, and very close to the beach and harbour. All of the medina is a short walk away including a wide variety of shops and markets. We stayed in the second floor apartment which has two bedrooms, the main one is huge and the smaller one a reasonable size. There is also a kitchen where Saida will prepare breakfast for you and which has good facilities should you wish to cook your own meals. However the local restaurants and the fish stalls around the harbour were so good that we ate lunch and dinner out each day. The concierges Abdul and Saida were perfect hosts, Abdul met us at the bus terminal and arranged transport for our luggage, and Saida served an excellent breakfast on the roof terrace with great views of the fishing boats and out to sea. We hope to return to Essaouira for a longer holiday and would certainly stay at Riad de la Mer again, I would recommend it to anyone visiting this lovely resort."

"We were very happy that we chose to experience our first time in Essaouira in this charming riad, probably one of the most central & best located riads in Essaouira. Breakfasts on the terrace overlooking the ocean were memorable, the best croissants I have had in years! the best plunger coffee I have been served in an hotel or B&B! Lovely interiors, gorgeous bathroom and good staff, What more could a guest want?"

"We booked this Riad to spend a week windsurfing in the windy city and to experience a little of Maroccan life and it did not disappoint. The house was beautiful and exactly as it looks in the photos. Abdul and Saida were charming and supplied a plentiful breakfast each morning or freshly squeezed juice, pastries and jams, coffee and tea, delicious and eaten on the roof with a stunning view of the town, sea and the port. Essouira itself was a real adventure visiting the fortified walls where the Knigdom of Heaven movie was filmed, haggling in the souks and eating really cheaply in the lovely restaurants around the town. Windsurfing was great and the taxi back home from the other end of the beach approx 50p a bargin when your legs just won't work anymore! A great holiday."

"We had the most amazing week's holiday at Riad de la Mer. The house is stunning, and just as described on the website. Essaouira is wonderful, and a whole lot less hectic than cities like Marrakech. Abdul and Saida were the perfect charming hosts, and made us feel welcome and at home, whilst giving us all the space and privacy we needed to enjoy our break. Breakfasts and sunsets on the roof terrace were idyllic, and at the end of our stay we really didn't want to leave! We will be saving our pennies, and encouraging our friends to do likewise, with the intention of returning as soon as possible, as a group, including kids, to rent the whole house."

"We stayed here during the busy October half term and loved it. Very stylish rooms - all white furnishings with big open fireplaces - very hippychick so Villa Maroc eat your heart out! Abdul and Saida were very friendly and helpful - from meeting us at the taxi stand to helping my husband find a traditional Couscousier in the market to babysitting to serving delicious breakfasts on the roof terrace. The views are amazing, the beds comfortable and the location superb - you are literally 30 seconds from the main square but it feels very tranquil. We didn't use the kitchen as there are so many good restaurants nearby ( check out Elizir!) but it was adequately equipped to make meals. I would love to come back in the winter to experience the big fires in the rooms. Great for kids too (although stairs are a bit steep up to terrace so competent walkers only)."