Dar Lazuli, Essaouira

Stayed in the Riad in late Novemeber 2010 for 3 nights with my girlfriend. We had a room called Sirocco which was the bottom floor 'apartment'. It has a well equiped kitchen (not that we did any cooking, to many nice restaurants!), a cute lounge with fire place and cut through to the super comfy bedroom. Off this room is the bathroom which is really nicely finished with good shower with lots of hot water.

The instructions that Rachel gave us to get from the bus station to the Riad were spot on (10 min walk) and we were met there by Rachid who is a lovely man. He doesn't speak hardly any English but we got by in French and he could not have been more helpful. He lives at the top of the buidling with Latifa, his wife who was also really friendly and helpful.

The only issues (very small) that we had was that, due to the design of the building, and the very un-Morracan weather that we had while we were there it was a little cool. All rooms (except the bathroom) lead onto the private courtyard which is open to the elements so you can get wet feet if its been raining. The fire in the lounge was lovely though and soon warmed us up. Also, the alleyway (only 25m long) leading to the front door is a little dingy. Anyone that we met their was really friendly but it was a bit stinky.

The alley is the reason for the 4 rating for location. The actual placement of the Riad could not be better. Less than a minute from restautrants and the seafront (beach is about 5 mins).

Great thing about the town is that it is so relaxed, a really lovely break, especially if you have just come from Marrakesh as we had. Again, notes left by Rachel (who was awesome with advise during the booking process) about the restaurants were good. We ate at Villa Moroc (30seconds from the Riad) which was pricey by Morrocan standards, but the building is so lovely inside it was definately worth it. Also recommend Elizir in the center of town (5 mins) which is one of the coolest restaurants that I have ever been too.

Definately recommend this place to a friend.