Essaouira holiday riad rental with beach/lake nearby, log fire, balcony/terrace, internet access, telephone

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Riad de la Mer (riad)

Home description

Riad de la Mer is an 18th century Jewish merchant’s house situated in the oldest part of the Medina, known as the Kasbah. Recently restored with the addition of modern facilities, it nevertheless retains the rich character of the original house. (The Riad can accommodate a maximum of 11 as there are 5 bedrooms and 1 single bedroom. If these extra bedrooms are used the weekly rental price is £1000.)

This is one of the best located riads in Essaouira, with stunning panoramic views from the terrace of the sea and port and beyond, the massive sweep of the entire bay. Just a few paces from the heart of the town, Place Moulay Hassan with all its bustling cafes and restaurants, this is nevertheless a house which affords a great sense of tranquillity and considerable space.

Terrace 2	Terrace 1
First floor large bedroom	Studio salon

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/27325

The Marrakech / Essaouira / Essaouira Region

Essaouira is generally acclaimed as one of the most enchanting spots along Morocco's Atlantic coast.

It enjoys this status because of a unique combination of factors: its sunny and temperate climate which hardly varies from one month to the next, the generosity and warmth offered by its inhabitants, its inheritance of treasures both architectural and cultural and, most crucially, the liberal and tolerant atmosphere which so strongly characterises the mood of its streets, where fishermen, locals, tourists both Moroccan and European, merchants, craftsmen, musicians, and artists of all kinds come to share their work, perspectives and friendship.

Its architecture is both harmonious and yet varied, displaying at different times its French, Portugese, and Berber heritages. In 2001 UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site, describing it as ‘an outstanding and well preserved example of a late 18th century European fortified seaport town translated to a North African context’.

Essaouira area

There is something in Essaouira for everyone. For those seeking a relaxing time, there are hammams and a spa to visit, innumerable cafes overlooking the beach, and a large soukh to potter about. For the more active, there is quadbiking, camel riding, horse riding, windsurfing or kitesurfing.

Culturally, the town itself is a huge, living museum. Architecturally, it is stunning, and you can see innumerable workshops with craftsmen making mosaics, marquetry, rugs, silks, wrought ironwork and so on. Food at the local market costs very little, and the restaurant prices are unbelievably cheap, certainly by British standards. The town is pretty cosmopolitan with many European visitors, particularly French.

How to get there

Fly to Marrakech or Agadir International Airports (carriers include Easyjet, Atlas-Blue and Thomsonfly); transfers from both airports can be arranged. Taxi fare one - way is approx. £45 for a "Grand Taxi" which seats five, and the journey takes just over 2 hours. There are also buses from both cities at approx. 60dhs per person.

Activities near Essaouira

Facilities

Further details indoors:
During the day the rooms are sunny, light and airy due to a central light well. The first two floors are traditionally decorated with many period items – chandeliers, antique beds and textiles – with the high ceilings also representing an unusual feature. On the third floor, a more modern character prevails: the colour white becomes predominant, as does simplicity of décor, and one becomes aware of sky, seagulls, waves. The views from the terrace, which is not overlooked, are quite simply magnificent.

Ground floor
Communal kitchen, courtyard, large dining room.

1st floor:
Huge bathroom, with bath crafted from tadelakt. Grand bedroom with double bed. Double bedroom.

2nd floor:
Kitchen, beautiful large salon with fireplace, double bedroom with en suite.

3rd floor (terrace):
Single bedroom, and (opposite) studio suite comprising double bedroom, en suite, and adjoining salon with single sofabed (suitable for a child).

Further details outdoors:
There is a courtyard with access from the ground floor. N.B. All guests have access to the roof terrace.

Further details

Daily housekeeper service. Breakfast (fresh juice, bread, croissants & crêpes, delicious local jams) is included and evening meals can be provided on request

Abdul, the concierge, is always on hand and will attend enthusiastically to your every need!

Rental rates

Prices for group size 8
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
	23 Jul 09	4 Oct 09	880£ 880	160160	160160	3 Nights

Prices for group size 4
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
First or Second floor	23 Jul 09	4 Oct 09	450£ 450	6565	6565	3 Nights

The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Our rental options cater for different group sizes:

Top (third) floor, terrace

Studio suite only: 700 Dhs or £47.50 per night (sleeps 2)

Studio suite and single bedroom: 950 Dhs or £65 per night (sleeps 3)

Second floor only

750 Dhs or £50 per night (2 people); or 980 Dhs, £60 per night (4 people; ideal for a couple + 2 children)

First floor only

950 Dhs or £65 per night (sleeps 4)

The entire house

(which sleeps 9 adults + 2 children) can be rented at a cost of £110 per person per week or at a daily rate of £160 (minimum stay 3 days).

Guests must ensure they have adequate travel insurance, as Riad de la Mer cannot accept responsibility in cases of injury or theft.

Guestbook for Riad de la Mer

We booked this Riad to spend a week windsurfing in the windy city and to experience a little of Moroccan 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).

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Send Enquiry

To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/27325

Contact details for the advertiser of home 27325
Name:	Diane Thomas
Tel:	+44 (0)208 7880701
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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Advertiser joined: Sep 2007