Reviews of Riad Al Manara
9 Rue Ahmed Baba Soudany, 44000 Essaouira, Morocco
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Reviewed: 9 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 28 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewClean, easy to find. Maintenance is well kept up with. Bed was very comfortable and all the sheets were clean and fresh, as were the towels. Bathroom was very clean and everything was working properly.
Hello Abdulrazak, Thank you for your kind comment and taking the time to share your opinion about our Riad. We look forward to welcoming you back to Riad Al Manara. Best regards, Noura
Reviewed: 27 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewThe Riad is beautiful and well located. The breakfast really good and the personal kind and friendly.
Thank you very much from the entire Riad Al Manara team for your comment and the note you gave us! We hope to see you again. Best regards Noura
Reviewed: 28 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewBeautiful building in a great location.
Hello Jackie, Thank you very much on behalf of the entire Riad Al Manara team for your comment. Sincerely Corinne
Reviewed: 6 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 5 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewBeautifully and thoughtfully decorated and equipped riad, lovely friendly staff and delicious breakfast.
Thank you Lucia for your comment, it was a pleasure to meet you. Best regards Corinne
Reviewed: 2 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewOwner lovely with little extras around the place like coffee facilities etc. drink and biscuit on arrival. receptionist - Leila ( i think is her name) helped me so much. My husband was sick, she helped me book an earlier bus ( in french) she rang the man to pick up the bags. We could leave our bags at reception and rest in the lobby. Other staff cooked lovely breakfast and you could see the house maids thoroughly cleaning the rooms.
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Hello Donna, thank you for your comment and the note you gave us. We look forward to welcoming you back to Riad Al Manara. I hope your husband has recovered and is in good health! Best regards Noura
Reviewed: 30 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewNice staff and breakfast.
The room didn’t have much ventilation.
Hello Mateo, the room you booked has a window onto the interior patio and it's true that it was very hot during your stay, which is exceptional for Essaouira. Wasn't there a fan in your room? Normally, we put them in the room at the end of spring. My apologies if this was not the case. Sincerely Corinne
Hello Mateo, the room you booked has a window onto the interior patio and it's true that it was very hot during your stay, which is exceptional for Essaouira. Wasn't there a fan in your room? Normally, we put them in the room at the… Show more
Reviewed: 29 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 27 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewStayed for one night, but staff were really nice, breakfast was good and location is fantastic
Thank you Jacinta for your comment, it was a pleasure to welcome you to Riad Al Manara. Have a nice day Corinne
Reviewed: 22 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewVery clean nice staff, free cookies, and tea
No outside air able to get into the building because the roof is sealed
Hello David, Thank you for your comment and the note you gave us. We have a sealed glass roof to prevent rain in the Riad, but we have windows around the roof that remain open throughout the day. Sincerely Corinne
Reviewed: 15 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewGreat location in the heart of the Medina. Beautiful home of which Corinne the owner is rightfully proud. Lovely staff - very attentive and helpful and able to adapt to dietary requirements. Lovely spacious room with a very comfortable bed. Absolute peace and tranquillity once out of the hussle and bussle of the Medina and inside the Riad.
There was nothing to dislike about this Riad - it has been beautifully renovated and Corinne goes out of her way to make you feel welcome.
Hello Georgre, A big thanks from the whole team for your kind comment. We were delighted to welcome you to Riad Al Manara. We look forward to seeing you again. Sincerely Noura
Reviewed: 5 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 13 April 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewPros: Very nice and friendly kitchen and reception staff; very tasty breakfast; everything looks pretty and is clean. Cons: - the main shock of the trip: The hotel manager threatened to kick us out, because of two email complaints my partner did. To quote the hotel manager: “I prefer my Zen, if you don’t like something you can sleep somewhere else”. The complaints were about 2 things: 1. the WIFI. We selected this hotel because of well rated internet, and paid premium for that. But 2 days out of 4 they couldn’t fix the signal in our rooms and we had to do some work in the occasionally loud lobby or rooftop full of screaming seagulls. 2. We left our laptop plugged on charge in the hotel, and when we came back from dinner it laptop screen didn’t turn on anymore. The final reasons for that are unclear (we are NOT blaming the hotel for it now), but that incident was also in the email complaints. What was shocking to me is that the manager didn’t even try to talk to us: on our way out to have lunch, she was near the exit on the phone, we said “Hello” and she responded that she’s calling Booking.com to cancel our third night. Based on email complaints (no open conflict, no verbal fights before, nothing like that happened). I had to practically beg her to let us stay because we just didn’t have time and energy to urgently search for another accommodation and move, in the middle of working day. To reiterate: we had NO PERSONAL INTERACTION with the manager before she just threatened to kick us out. I would never want to stay at the hotel managed by the person with this attitude. This was the most unpleasant experience visiting the wonderful country of Morocco and really spoilt Essaouira for us.
These customers were dishonest from the outset. They wanted us to refund their apple computer, accusing the riad of having damaged it. They claimed there had been a power cut, so we were able to prove to the customers via the video surveillance system that this was not the case. We called in a technician who showed them that the fault was due to a damaged solder joint between the screen and the keyboard. We provided them with a wifi signal amplifier, which they wanted us to give them free of charge for the rest of their stay in Morocco. We refused. After receiving several threats by email, I contacted Booking to tell them that I didn't want to keep these customers. Booking accepted my request, but the customer was so desperate for me to keep him for the remaining two nights. Which I accepted. Here are the thanks, a 3 that I will report to Booking.
These customers were dishonest from the outset. They wanted us to refund their apple computer, accusing the riad of having damaged it. They claimed there had been a power cut, so we were able to prove to the customers via the video surveill… Show more
Reviewed: 27 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewLovely breakfast - local fruit, cheese, jam, honey, pancakes and coffee. Eggs and omlettes available too. The two guys running it, both called Lassan, were excellent - very helpful and friendly. Showed us to a great local restaurant (L' hssira), and made us a breakfast to go as we were leaving early one day for a trip to Essaouira (reccommended). The manager Mohammed left us a nice hand written note in the room welcoming us to the riad.
Shower head fitting could have been better, you had to hold it over your head.
Hi Alex, i think you wrote a review for another riad. Riad Al Manara is in the medina of Essaouira, not in Marrakech and we don't have a man call Lassan in our riad. Best regards Corinne
Reviewed: 27 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewThe place is absolutely stunning! We loved every second of our stay in Essaouira, and this hotel made it very special! Everyone should experience this.
There literally nothing!
Hello Karol, Thank you for your comment! We were delighted to welcome you to Riad Al Manara. We look forward to seeing you again. Sincerely Noura
Reviewed: 18 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewFrom the moment we entered the riad, we were surprised by the tasteful way it has been renovated and decorated. The receptionist, a young local woman, gave us a map and explained the best places to visit and the best gastronomic spots in Essaouira. Our room for 3 people was clean, spacious and comfortable. The breakfast was very nice, and it combined local dishes (freshly cooked) with more european continental food The location is ideal, on a calm alley on the side of one of the most central and busy streets.
There is a TV in the common area but the room did not have one.
Hello thank you very much for your lovely comment and this excellent note. We have chosen not to put televisions in the rooms to preserve the calm of the riad. In fact, there is a television in the lounge on the ground floor, which is accessible to everyone. Best regards Corinne
Hello thank you very much for your lovely comment and this excellent note. We have chosen not to put televisions in the rooms to preserve the calm of the riad. In fact, there is a television in the lounge on the ground floor, which is acce… Show more
Reviewed: 18 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 17 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewLocation and beautifully renovated riad, with beautiful and confortable rooms
If I can offer a personal recommendation: The pillows were too hard and high for my taste. But I slept pretty well
Hello Ana, thank you very much for your excellent note and for your comment about the pillows. We are going to take steps to find thinner pillows and make them available in the wardrobes. That way, customers will have a choice. Sincerely Corinne
Hello Ana, thank you very much for your excellent note and for your comment about the pillows. We are going to take steps to find thinner pillows and make them available in the wardrobes. That way, customers will have a choice. Sincerely Co… Show more
Reviewed: 15 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 12 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewThe location is great, within the medina but we found it very quiet for sleeping. The staff were wonderful and breakfast was delicious .the room had everything we needed, highly recommend this Riad. We went to Umia and Zahra’s Grill for dinner and can highly recommended them both, if you like seafood you’re in for a real treat!
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Thank you Jen for your lovely comment and your restaurants recommandations. It was a pleasure to meet you. Have a nice day. Best regards Corinne
Reviewed: 1 March 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewThe staff were wonderful. There is not a lift at the Riad and they helped us to the room. Breakfast is served on the roof terrace and we managed the stairs the first morning. After that they served breakfast on the ground floor for us.
Good evening Jhon, We don't have a lift at the riad. The structure of a riad is rarely suitable for lifts. We were delighted to welcome you for these three days. The entire Riad Al Manara team would like to thank you for your comment. Sincerely Corinne
Good evening Jhon, We don't have a lift at the riad. The structure of a riad is rarely suitable for lifts. We were delighted to welcome you for these three days. The entire Riad Al Manara team would like to thank you for your comment. S… Show more
Reviewed: 27 February 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewMemorable stay in a beautiful Riad! Amazing breakfast on the rooftop, nice drink and snack on arrival.
Thank you so much Wesley for your lovely comment. Have a nice evening. Best regards Corinne
Reviewed: 25 February 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 18 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified review