Essaouira: Dar Al-Bahar (Guesthouse)

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Address: 1 rue de touahen , Essaouira , Morocco
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Lonely Planet review

You couldn't get much closer to the sea without being in it. The Dar al-Bahar actually acts as one of the outer-walls of the city and there are tremendous sea views from many of the rooms and the terrace. It could so easily be a disaster of damp and peeling paint, but inside it's a quiet, tidy cocoon.

It is beautifully finished with two-tone zellij tiling in bright summery yellows and cerulean blues running throughout the house. And even the small doubles with their in-your-face sea views that take the brunt of the seaward wind are calm and quiet thanks to their double-glazed windows. The house is also well-proportioned. And although the nine rooms vary wildly in size and shape they are all comfortable - the high ceilings making them light and airy in summer. The only exception to this is dark, musty room 1 on the ground floor. Other appealing details catch the eye, like the wavy wrought-iron balustrade that wiggles up the wall and the Souiri paintings on the inside of the shutters. And don't think the viewless rooms are any less attractive: one of our these was a favourite with its peppermint green and cream decor. No credit cards accepted.