We (two couples) were perfectly happy during our 3 day stay in the Dar Ronde in the exciting fishing town of Essaouria. Our email correspondence with Abby went very well and she kindly arranged our transfers from the Marrakesh Airport and then back to Marrakesh. Her Guestbook, available at the Dar Ronde website and in printed form at the Dar itself, gave us all the details we needed to know and a whole lot of other useful information. Kamar, the manager, is a real jewel: warm, friendly, ever-helpful and with a great sense of humour. She lives nearby so was always at our beck and call when we needed her. Ilham, the housekeeper, made us a lovely, diverse breakfast every morning and kept everything spotlessly clean and tidy. The complimentary beef/apricot/prune/almond tajine was absolutely delicious – the best tajine we had! The Dar is situated a bit off the beaten tourist track which made it even more interesting for us. Be sure to take a little time to orient yourself before setting off. I haven’t much to add to the positive comments already made here. As to Essaouria, I can recommend the Restaurant keltoum with a choice of menus. Thanks again to the staff at Dar Ronde! We hope to see you again sometime soon!

We spent Christmas at Dar Ronde and it was absolutely perfect for us - a family of 2 adults and 2 children (age 10 and 12). The house is large (especially the bedrooms), well-appointed, in a great location and had everything that we needed. Meriam (the housekeeper) and Kamar (the agent) were super-friendly, helpful and really made our holiday special (although it helps a lot to speak French). The breakfasts and dinners that Meriam prepared were delicious and it was such a treat to come down to breakfast that someone else had prepared every morning. The medina is easy to find your way around and the house is on the "quiet" side - but within easy reach of everything, including the beach. All in all, a wonderful place to stay - I would highly recommend it!

House is beautiful. Kamar took very good care of us.. Breakfast was every day different. Very good suggestion for our trips We enjoyed our trip very much..

Lovely house, space, light, clean, and a great location in the heart of the Medina. Kamar and her team made us more than welcome, and the breakfasts each day were a great way to kick off. Highly recommended,

Absolutely loved our one week stay in Dar Ronde. Comfortable and clean it's perfectly located for exploring Essaouira. Everyone we met was friendly and welcoming. Our house keeper was absolutely brilliant; we could not have hoped for a nicer host to prepare breakfast and help us get the most from our holiday including a memorable visit to a hammam for my wife and daughter. Highly recommended for families who want some Easter sun (it wasn't too windy during our stay), to explore different cultures and like a bit of adventure during their vacations. The horse riding at Ranch de Diabat was particularly cool.

We had a great time at the Dar Ronde in the middle of the medina. We truly enjoyed Kamar, her stories, her support and her cooking. The children loved to visit the souk and once or twice we ended a tiring day in the hamman on the top floor. We've recommended your house to some friends already so maybe one day Kamar will welcome some of them.

We had such a relaxing stay in Abby's cool & welcoming house, escaping the English winter and finding warmth & sunshine in this fascinating town. The connections worked a treat and Kamar, the house keeper, was there to meet the taxi from the airport at the little gate to the Medina. Then we entered a different world, grateful that Kamar showed us the way through the maze of alleyways. It's amazing! Like stepping back 4 centuries with all the attendant sights, sounds and smells - hot baking bread among them. Opening the thick wooden door to the house leads at once into the contrasting calm, clean, comfortable and colourful heart of the home. A true haven the privacy of which we enjoyed enormously as a base to explore the historic town. Having Kabira making breakfast for us every morning was pure holiday indulgence and, yes, taking coffee or mint tea up to the roof terrace the start to another relaxing day. Writing about this makes me want to fly back immediately. Thank you Abby, Kamar and Kabira.

We had a delightful time in Dar Ronde. Kamar was a wonderful host - making sure all was fine and helping us with any directions, amenities and anything we suggested. Anna was also a lovely house keeper and made us breakfast on the terrace which was a treat. The house is beautifully designed to incorporate Moroccan features and very relaxing to be in. We also enjoyed the Medina and the seaside - very relaxing to stroll along the beaches, dip in the sea and consider camel rides ( we intend to do next time). The people of Essaouira were diverse, friendly and playful with their bargaining - one or two a little forceful but we gradually learnt there are no hard feelings and it is just good to exchange ideas about prices and possibilities. the bazaar is full of exotic clothes, food, spices and smells and the restaurants great. It is also peaceful to be in the Medina area without motor cars but just the odd scooter and cyclist. Finally Abby the owner was really welcoming and helpful.

Uniquely Moroccan. Very attractive, spacious and clean. The staff running it are delightful. All I would ask for is improved heating during the coolest months. Even so I would recommend it whole heartedly

Nearly everything is sayed in the other reviews, we agree with. Even so Yusuf is no longer here, we were looked after in a very personal and attentiv way by Kamar and Abdulah, yet keeping the privacy this wonderful house offers. Occuring technical problems, which for shure are exceptionell, like a power breakdown have been solved immediately as well as a grating door we didn`t even take notice of. We can recommend the Dar Ronde for two grown ups with two almost grown up children (like in our case two girls 17 and 18) but can imagine that the place works very well for four people in other constellations.

We had a wonderful holiday at Dar Ronde. The owner, Abby, was so helpful prior to arrival and the printed information she supplied was excellent, really detailed and helpful. Everything went like clockwork - taxis, meeting Kamar on arrival etc. We found Kamar such a fantastic help and felt very well looked after in Kamar and Youssef's care - they are certainly a dream team and we cannot thank them enough for their warmth, welcome and help (and cooking skills!) The welcome meal is such a lovely arrangement, we enjoyed it so much - the girls said the kefta tagine was their favourite meal of the whole trip! The Riad is perfectly situated right at the heart of real life of the medina and yet easy to walk to the beach too. We loved everything about the Riad - it felt very homely and is beautifully furnished. Thank you to Abby, Kamar and Youssef for a wonderful stay.

I could wax lyrical about how lovely Dar Ronde is for 1,000 words but will try to keep it brief. The Riad is fantastic. The décor is subtly simple, so comfortable and beautiful. I would say a home away from home, but my house doesn’t come close. Every floor is gorgeous. And the roof terrace is amazing at sunset when the starlings, sparrows and gulls sweep over the medina. Dar Ronde is serene and tranquil; a great place to relax after a day strolling around the town or quad biking on the beach. It was lovely to sit in the Riad, enjoying a home cooked meal and relaxing in front of the fire. There’s also the sauna to enjoy and up the pamper levels even more. Then there’s Youssef. What can I say! He’s so funny and delightful. He was an attentive host, took such good care of us. The meal on arrival was so delicious that we asked him to cook for us again. His food is stunning. I’ve never seen a piece of monk fish that big. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Freshly squeezed orange juice and warm from the oven buns for breakfast; does it get any better. Dar Ronde is great value for money. I can’t wait to go back.

A lovely traditional house in the centre of Essaouira, tucked away among the hustle and bustle of the medina and its winding alleys. We had a lovely warm welcome from Kamar and Yusef, who looked after us brilliantly while giving us the space to explore on our own. Yusef's cooking was delicious and very good value, as were the restaurants we visited too (particularly 'Le Patio' and 'Al Farachah'). We really missed our hosts when we moved on to our next destination! The house was spacious and comfortable, we particularly enjoyed the sunny roof terrace, listening to the sounds of the medina down below. Essauoira itself is a place to visit for a relaxing break and good food. During our visit in November, the wind had dropped and it wasn't as windy as we expected. We had a lovely time!

We did not know what to expect after a week in Marrakesh from the heat to a windy place, arriving in the dark along narrow alleyways but on going thorough the large wooden door it is like an oasis. The house is superb with a great pair who see to your every needs. Breakfast is prepared each day by Youssif who is a delight and is such good fun who will also cook evening meal. The house has lots of space more suited to couples or a couple with older children as lots of stairs. Beautifully decorated with a mixture of Moroccan and John Lewis!! You walk out of the door to life in Essaouira with children playing marbles and tailors making clothes. At the top of the way there are shops where you are with locals as well as tourists. You do not get hassled like in Marrakesh which is good. Variety of places to eat from very cheap to more expensive by Moroccan standards. Recommend Elizer. The two 21 year olds with us enjoyed it as much as us we are looking forward to going again. Of particular note is the service you get fromthe Abbie from making a tentative booking through through to checking that you enjoyed your stay. Thank you we had a great time.

We had a wonderful time at your lovely house, thank you so much for allowing us to come in November after our disastrous attempt in April, we could hardly believe we made it but we had a much needed break. Also thanks for making some arrangements for us, we really appreciated this. Yusef is quite an amazing find, what a lovely guy, and a wonderful cook - we will certainly remember him with great fondness! Thanks again, hopefully we will make it back sometime.

Myself, my wife and our two young sons have just come back from a fantastic week in Essaouira. We feel like we've had a complete break. I was concerned before we left because I saw the review saying the house needed work but the owner assured me that everything was as it should be and she was right. It was spotlessly clean, the breakfasts delicious and varied, Yusef looked after us very well and completely spoilt my boys. He is always cheerful and has a refreshingly 'can do' attitude. The house is large, spacious and stylish in a great location. Good time had by all.

We enjoyed a short stay in mid October 2010 and had a great time. Dar Ronde is a lovely house. Very clean and well kitted out (fully functioning kitchen, TV/DVD, great roof terrance etc). The bedrooms are great with en suite shower rooms. The location is also fantastic in the heart of the Medina. Both Yusef and Sarra were very friendly. They met us at the coach stop took us to the house and showed us around. The breakfasts were really nice too! Would definitely recommend to anyone.

We had a very enjoyable stay - the bedrooms are quiet and comfortable - and the downstairs rooms very well appointed. The ambiance is great and the location in the centre of the medina is fantastic for those that want to experience the real Morocco. The house management team are very helpful - and when we had issues (with the TV not working and a power failure) they were all very helpful in bringing about a swift solution. The breakfasts were a real joy to wake up to and got each day off to a great start. All in all - a relaxing and delightful place to spend a holiday

Stayed in 2008, fantastic - returned in July 2010, what a change, very run down, chipped and missing tiles, dirty outdoor areas, frayed towels and the same bed covers but now faded and worn, breakfast below the standard which we had enjoyed before, tv and spa not working, door handle missing from front door etc. etc. sad to see the state of pot plants and ground floor garden which had previously looked so good. Kitchen area and fridge really rundown, didn't even like to put anything in the fridge! Had organised for a taxi from Marrakech which failed to show up, causing us a lot of stress and delay in getting to Essaouira Maintenance is urgently required to restore this property to it's advertised condition. So dissapointed that we left 1 day early

Excellent location in the heart of the medina with friendly neighbours and a real authentic buzz of activity. Efficient accurate booking information from Abby and wonderful hospitality from Kamar, Souha and particularly Youssef! Breakfast was a treat - varied each day and accompanied by fun, laughter and real enthusiasm from Youssef. He also cooked for us on two evenings - chicken and fish tajines which were perfect! Indeed, Youssef is the heart of the house - a real treasure. Essaouira is an easy town to get around - safe and friendly with plenty to see and do. The only suggestion we would make would be to have some shade on the top terrace - a small point as everything else was perfect. We'll be delighted to return to Essaouira - to the same accommodation. Thanks for the great hospitality.

We, a group of 4 students, had a great time at Dar Rondé. The house (more than an apartment!) is huge and very tastefully decorated. It is a real oasis in the middle of the busy and noisy Medina. Having breakfast served by Yusef each morning was a real treat after a few long days in the desert, and we enjoyed having so much space and even a tv room with a fun selection of action movies! The staff (also Kamar) were very helpful and friendly. We highly recommend Dar Rondé to any potential Essaouira visitors who want to stay in a private "retreat" close to the Medina action. I would guess that it is nearly impossible to find a similar property in Essaouira, especially at such a competitive rate. Another positive feature is the very detailed written guide to the house and Essaouira (can be found in the living room). It gives guests unfamiliar with Essaouira an idea of possible activities, in-house cooking tips, recommended restaurants and many things more.