Harry Bunnell review 20 Mar 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Arriving at the accommodation and watching the sun set over the medina from the terrace. Stumbling through the holiday in broken French (although most Moroccans speak several languages). Exploring the souks and markets. Eating the most amazing Moroccan food (personal favourite: kefta et oeuf tajine).
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check out the great food around town - we particularly enjoyed the restaurant Les Alize on Rue Skala by the ramparts, and the fresh sardines and prawns from the fish market. Carry plenty of small coins for tipping or passing on to those in need. Forget Marrakech, do your shopping here. Most of all, leave your inhibitions at home and be prepared to haggle!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely, the accommodation has fully embraced responsible tourism by employing local people and setting up a charity to help the community. Before setting off we were provided with some great tips on respecting Moroccan cultural practices.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Awesome! I'd like to return to Morocco and Essaouira would be on my list of places to revisit. A great place to relax, explore and enjoy the Moroccan sun.
Dick Oldfield review 16 Aug 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This is a peaceful and quirky haven that is looked after by two locals; Naima and Hakim. It was great to feel the warmth of their welcome and to benefit from their guidance around the wonderful craziness that is Essaouira.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Buy from the booths and workshops in the back streets. The choice might be slightly restricted and communication is more of a challenge - but you will be buying direct from the craftsmen and will be sustaining their future.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The accommodation is set up to benefit locals via both employment and charity. Excellent work by Paolo and Jeremy.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was exactly what we needed. A relaxed haven that allowed us to experience contact with the real Essaouiran culture and people.
Amelia Shepherd review 19 Dec 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I LOVED the accommodation. Dealing with the accommodation from the start was a pleasure and I felt that this would be my sort of place. Seeing the accommodation for the first time lit up my eyes-the eclectic decor was wonderful, each room and part of the house was a discovery of delight! Essaouira itself if a laid back picturesque fishing town where you can spend hours getting lost and finding yourself again. I am a photographer and this town is a photographer’s delight with plenty of amazing street photography opportunities. Also, you will meet the house keeper who drops breakfast at the door each morning and another local man who'll help you with things like coach tickets, shopping etc. They were both very helpful and welcoming.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do ask locals if you can photograph them if you are intending to bring a camera and take photos. Do interact with locals in the shops and in the markets as well as in some lovely restaurants. If you are travelling in Morocco then save your shopping until Essaouira as there are some wonderful crafts shops and haggling is much more realistic than it is in Marrakech.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes for sure. Not only are there local people employed to look after guests and the house but tourists are encouraged to spend there money at all the local markets, stalls etc where you know your money is going directly into locals' hands. I understand that the owners have also now opened up a craft shop beneath/next to the house so that you can purchase some of the wonderful gifts on offer easily.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fabulous. We would definitely return to Essaouira in the future. The accommodation itself is a wonderful retreat and lovely to just hang out in after a busy day sight seeing-photographing and shopping. The people of the town are friendly, welcoming and you will experience minimum hassle (which compared to Marrakech is very welcome!)The pre-holiday information sent on by the owners is also really useful and they have a wonderful website explaining what they do for charity too...
