Riad Al Madina by Joanna Monkhouse

Riad Al Madina is famous as the place Jimi Hendrix stayed during his summer in Essaouira. Unfortunately the hotel seems to be still riding on his coat-tails. The pretty courtyard has flowers climbing up the balconies, tables for breakfast and a fountain strewn with rose petals that should have been replaced a day or two earlier. The rooms are small and dark, the decoration is tacky and overdone, bathrooms are tiny and damp, most only have showers. Windows face the courtyard, some larger rooms have an extra external window onto a busy street. Mini suites are minusculely bigger than standard rooms. The hotel has gone for quantity over quality - 49 rooms is a lot to pack into a building of that size, despite their recent expansion, although the new section has slightly better accomodations. A courtyard has gained a roof and the space has been used to expand the restaurant, but the kitchen smells begin early in the morning and are wafted around the building. Maison du Sud is a similar but superior alternative to the overpriced Riad Al Madina.