STE PERLE D'EAU

A pearl in the Medina indeed. A wonderful room, facing the pounding Atlantic, with easy access to all of Essaouira. The breakfast was a great start to the day. My hamman and massage -- like my wife's pedicure and facial -- were refreshing, relaxing and effective. Add the amazing staff, and we'd come here anytime Essaouira calls.

We stayed in the Riad Perle D’eau for two nights and loved it so much that we booked four more. Firstly, if you have never strayed in a riad then DO IT. They are like Doctor Who’s Tardis., A small unassuming entrance and then boom, inside an oasis of beauty. Only a handful of rooms , built around a central core with lots of nooks and crannies just waiting to be discovered What a beautiful location. As I pen this I am sitting in the upper terrace, watching the sun rise over the ocean and listening to the sea crashing on the rocks below What great staff , the wonderful Ishmael with his welcoming smile and helpful thoughts, the marvellous Cabrera who organised for us a Hamman something or other and then a transcendental massage. I didn’t learn the name of everybody and feel guilty for that but without exception, everybody was so welcoming and, when far from home, that made out little hotel feel like home Did I forget to mention the breakfast, with so many things to choose from and such as selection of fine nibbles We were lucky enough to stay in a suite overlooking the ocean and sipped a white wine while listening to Adele singing about when she was young and watching the people frolic on the beach below For me an easy ten out of ten

Convenient location. Clean room. Nice road beautifully decorated. Standard breakfast. No air conditioning but open window cooled room very nicely. Would prefer television for when in room in evening. Free WiFi.