We are a young couple and stayed here for a week in june. We can't fault it in any way - the location is an ideal central base for exploring essaouira, the rooms were clean cool and comfortable, and the breakfasts were basic but filling and tasty. The best part of the experience, though, was Kitchou - an absolute gentleman, so polite and full of good advice - make sure you take his tip to eat at Chez Yassine, delicious. Excellent value for money too.

We booked here 4 months in advance and were supposed to stay here for the first two nights of our Moroccan holiday.. I emailed the Dar to confirm our booking 4 weeks before we arrived and got no reply. I emailed again 2 weeks later and finally got a reply and was sent a map giving us basic directions.

We arrived in Essaouira and found the Dar reasonably easy and were greeted by a friendly young guy called Faisal who said he was managing the place whilst the owner was away. He told us we'd sit down and have some tea but we asked to go to our room so we could dump our bags and freshen up (it was a long journey from Australia) - but we were told to wait until we had some tea and did some paperwork... okay no problem we didn't want to offend.

We sat had tea, did some paperwork and then Faisal drew us a map of Essaouira and gave us an overview of the town which was helpful.. it was at this stage that he decided to tell us that our room had been double booked! And unfortunately we missed out - NOT the sort of thing you want to happen on your first night when you have traveled 20 hours and made the booking 4 months in advance.

He said it was something that happened regularly with booking. com - however we've never had this ever happen to us before using the website (and didn't have any other double bookings during our 3 weeks in Morocco).

Faisal was nice enough about the whole thing and said he would take us to another hotel for the night and then we could come back and stay at Dar El Paco for our second night (as another room would become available).

The nearby hotel was decent and we didn't really like the idea of having to move hotels the next day so we told Faisal we'd just stay there for the 2 nights which he was fine with.

To be honest I was too tired to really care at this stage but afterwards I realised how ridiculous this whole situation was because we had booked AND confirmed so far in advance and there was NO mention of any double bookings when we had clearly been in contact only 2 weeks before to check! This is NOT something that just happens and is either a sign of incompetence or dishonesty.

We were told by Faisal that the other hotel was the same price but it turned out to be more expensive.. wasn't a big problem but still something that shouldn't have been our problem.

To add insult to injury, we were contacted by booking . com a couple of weeks later to tell us that we hadn't showed up and had to pay a no show fee! I disputed the claim and didn't have to pay it after we told them our story.

Since many years I`am traveling through Morocco and Essaouira is my favourite town - Magic Souira makes me feel at home.

I stayed 6 nights,as a single woman,during the Worldmusic-Festival(my 7th edition) in the lovely,small Dar El Paco and was very satisfied.
While the weather this time was extremely windy and cold,outside the crowds were moving,I felt very cosy,save and like in a heaven of peace,so calm it was. Be sure I can compete it.

The location is great,only a few minutes to the stage of Moulay Hassan and the monuments,the beach and everything.Really great value for the money.
The friendly host Kitchou,while the owners stayed in France,was very helpful,professional and speaks good english. We had nice talkings. In advance he sended a mail to fix up the arrival time,with a map and instructions to find the Riad in a easy way - for sure not necessary for me,but for sure very helpful for first visitors of the town - Top!

My room - IFRANE,near to the roof terrasse, was every day very good fixed up with much care from the maid. Hot water,not always running in the Medina of Essaouira and Morocco,was perfectly working.
Every room is different and nice furnished.
In the near,beside, is a mosque,what makes you feel even more in a town between Orient and Occident.No mater to me at all!

May be some small things could be better,nobody is totaly perfect....but look at the comfortable rates. About 25 Euros for a double room with breakfast - depending on the season.

The breakfast was good,but less variation.Different types of local jams,changing during the stay, or to serve sometimes fruits and yogurts will be nice. Little variations will make it perfect. To serve a welcome mint tea,usually in other houses,would be also a good idea. 2 sunbeds on the small roof terrasse,if the weather is allowing it,will bring me even more satifaction - just my subjective view!

I highly recommend it to other visitors of Essaouira - for sure I´am looking forward returning to Dar El Paco - Inch´Allah

Best regards to Kitchou and the team

Gabriele from Germany