Heure Bleue Palais

I spent five nights here at the start of January, and the hotel was quiet. Management offered me a free upgrade right away. The superior room was spacious, with a decent-sized bathroom and separate toilet. The bed was comfortable, and there was a desk, wifi, and a large flat-screen TV. As it's a riad, the room was quite dark. The staff were wonderful, efficient, and very helpful, especially the maids and the man on the rooftop terrace. I spent at least part of every afternoon there in the sun by the small heated pool. It stayed strangely calm even on the windiest days. The terrace is excellent. The Google description calls the bar an English-style pub, but it felt more like a gentleman's club, with a roaring fire and deep leather chairs and sofas. I've never seen a grand piano in an English boozer, either. Heure Bleue is just minutes from the places you might want to see or visit in Essaouira.

Evenings were a treat, with traditional live music bringing a lovely cultural touch and a magical feel each night. We also had a wonderfully relaxing time with the spa treatments. Our room was spotless, comfortable, and beautifully cared for, a peaceful place to return to. The food was a real highlight. Breakfast each morning was an outstanding spread, with so much variety and excellent quality and presentation. We ate at the hotel every evening, and each meal was authentic, full of flavor, and served right at our table. We got to meet Head Chef Ahmed Handour and thank him personally. His passion and talent came through in every dish. The whole team welcomed us with genuine warmth and made us feel at ease throughout our stay with our baby. We appreciated that so much. We loved our time at Heure Bleue Palais, and can't wait to return.

We didn't stay at the hotel, but its restaurant was the best one we tried in Essaouira. The dishes were all very high quality, and both the service and atmosphere were great. Next time we're in Essaouira, we'll be sure to book a table at Heure Bleue Palais.

The staff were friendly and accommodating, and the hotel was clean and easy to get around from. Dinner at the restaurant was one of the best meals of our trip, and breakfast had lots of good options. The room decor felt dark, and we didn't want to spend much time there. It was more of a place to leave our things and come back to sleep. The A/C only cooled mildly. There was a comforter but no flat sheet, so when we got too hot and took it off, there was nothing light to cover up with. We asked for a sheet and explained what we meant. The man at the front desk kindly had housekeeping bring a couple of options, a blanket and a flat sheet. If you prefer a flat sheet like we do, you'll need to ask and may have to describe it. We also heard some street noise, but putting the couch pillows in the window alcoves did the trick. My four-star rating comes down to personal preferences and comparison with another incredible hotel we stayed at on the same trip.