Essaouira: Ryad Watier (Hotel)

Address: 16 rue ceuta , Essaouira 44000, Morocco
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Lonely Planet Review

A sailor, a restaurateur, an artist and a gallery owner - Jean-Gabriel is a man of many talents and his house reflects his bright, breezy outlook on life. It's big and light, comfortable and practical, full of good books and intriguing maps.

With high ceilings, lots of light, and bright windows it's one of the best terraces in town. It was such a mess when Jean found it that he pretty much demolished it and started again, installing new electrics, a generator, three separate boilers, a laundry room and a reserve water tank. The 10 rooms show the same attention to practical detail - they're huge and comfortable, beds have Siemens mattresses and showers are of the power variety. Rooms are well-stocked with books and decorated with curiosities from Jean's travels. But it's not really the decor that catches the eye. What impresses most is the atmosphere. The staff are delightful: they've known each other since childhood and live in the same street as the hotel. They're Jean's adopted family and it shows in the easy-going banter and comfortable feeling that pervades the house.