2008 entries from our guest book:

Beautiful weather, charming house, lovely town, excellent stay.
Linda and Alasdair, 16-21 January 2008

We spent five days in this house and at first I didn’t like Morocco because it was really smelly and everyone wore pixie hoods and I found it really scary. But now I’m sort of used to it and today we went surfing on the beach and it was really fun.
Matilda (age 11) – see below

We have had a really interesting time here. Like another family who wrote earlier, we wanted to bring the children to a non-western country to broaden their horizons a bit. We’ve broadened ALL of our horizons in the process. My daughter (Matilda) had a hard time getting used to being here at first but has come round to it. One of the main things we kept pointing out to her was that the people here are so friendly and are basically all working really hard – and if that includes a bit of hustling sometimes, then that’s life! Fati-Fleur took us to the hammam, which was a really special experience that I would highly recommend. Today we had a fantastic time on the beach, hiring surfboards from Ocean Vagabond and then eating there on their wide sofas. Off to Marrakech for a couple of days tomorrow. I think coming here first will have been very good preparation!
Clare, Pete, Christy and Matilda Greenwood, 15-20 February 2008

Far better than a riad where you’ve got no privacy at all. We loved being able to close ourselves away but still peep out through the shutters and see life going on from a distance.
Marianne and Johnny, March 2008

What a place. The people were so chilled, it’s so refreshing to see people out on the street at all hours interacting with each other. So unlike England. The cockerel woke us up a couple of times in the middle of the night and made us think twice about our idea of keeping chickens back home in Brighton! Thanks for a lovely holiday.
Usama and Khadija, end of April 2008

If I could find one word to sum up Essaouira it would be to say that it is ALIVE! As we explored the many windy streets of the medina, we found the locals friendly, hard-working and basically open, going about their business. At the moment there is a strong community spirit and mutual respect for each other. I was touched to watch the women greeting each other and chatting on the streets, sharing the day’s news; the men also gather together chatting and the children play happily on the street (most of the time!) Dar 91 gave us the opportunity to live amongst the locals.
Turnock Family, 26 May 2008

What a fantastic holiday. We did lots of things including cooking – our favourite bit was going to the old man who mixes up spices next to the mint vendors on the right side as you leave the market, ask him for 1 or 10 dirhams of whatever mix you want like fish or viande- he’s good fun and gives good prices! Fati-Fleur is an angel and we thoroughly enjoyed her company and we think we have convinced her to try harder with her English, but she’ll need a lot more pushing that’s for sure!
Kelly and Arash, June 2008

We’re glad we came to Morocco and Essaouira in particular, for the cultural experience. But if I’m honest I don’t think we’ll be coming back. We were hassled a lot by people in Marrakech and in that respect Essaouira was much more relaxed. But there are still lots of kids begging, the streets are filthy, and picking our way over open sewers is not our idea of a holiday. The government should do something about this if it wants tourists to visit.
Ian and Sandra Coleman, 4-8 July 2008

Blue skies everyday, cheap and fresh fruit and veg by the bucketload, and we managed to read four books in the space of a week. Came back to England with our batteries fully charged.
Bal and Mahima, August 2008

Excellent, quirky, very authentic location, being in the poorer part of town. Fascinated by the bakery up the road and workshops. Beds very comfy. Naima very dedicated. Went for a baking lesson at the women’s cooperative, which was good fun and a little peek into another walk of life. The holiday was good value and also just right for us to expose the kids to something totally different – did the camel riding at Diabat and quads which was the kids’ highlight.
Valerie, Alan and kids, October 2008

Just wanted to say a massive thank you to you both for the use of your lovely house in Essaouira. Myself, Becky and Alice had a brilliant time and we all loved what you have done with the house and wiled away our evenings there very happily. Naima was fantastic too -really lovely and very unintrusive. Essaouira was a great place to relax between leaving Marrakesh and heading off on a tour of the Atlas mountains. We particularly enjoyed the great sunsets, wonderful fish and generally wandering about.
Louise Campbell, Becky and Alice, November 2008

2007 entries from our guest book:

The first guests at Dar 91 and what an honour! We’ve had a fantastic time staying here. The house is lovely and Paolo and Jeremy seem to have thought of everything so no need to worry if you’ve left those adaptors at home! We especially love the way every time you look around the house you seem to spot something else quirky and fun! Essaouira is a lovely town and so relaxing, especially compared to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. We tried a few of the restaurants recommended by Paolo and Jeremy and were impressed so we’re sure all are fab. If you fancy something a bit different try buying some meat and taking it to the grills just along from Bab Doukkala – a great experience with lots of friendly locals. Fati-Fleur has been great and even with our limited French we have got on really well.
Emma and Russ, 3-9 May 2007

Loving every minute of Essaouira. This is only our second night here and sadly we have to move to another abode as someone else has booked – we are really gutted to be leaving as it already feels like home – Jeremy and Paolo you have done well – it hits the heart. Coming back to the house after an evening it’s easy to get a bit lost (and we have had fun finding our way home). Everyone is so friendly here we are overwhelmed. In the majority of instances it is genuine. We are so pleased to have chosen to stay in the medina as it is such an interesting and fun part of the city. Don’t be scared to take a few short cuts as you always seem to get to your destination eventually!
Lorna and Pete, 28 May 2007

Before coming here I’d exchanged several emails with Jeremy and felt almost as though dealing with an old friend. It’s probably pointless to say this, since anyone else who’s here will most likely have had a similar experience. I was here with two children aged 6 and 9 and Fati-Fleur behaved to them like a sister. She took my daughter to play with her family and was kindness itself. She epitomised the famed Moroccan hospitality. Sadly, this is probably something that many of us turn our backs to or close our eyes to in the belief that it’s a scam. The proof that it isn’t, is here. A major reason for me coming here was so that my children could see another, very different country. Thanks to Fati-Fleur they’ve seen something really genuine and probably rare.
Gerard, Matthias and Leila, 29 May to 1 June 2007

Just back from our first holiday to Morocco. It was certainly an experience, and on balance probably one we’d like to have again – although it has certainly opened our eyes and I’m feeling a bit challenged by the place. We really like the house, even if at times we found the state of the sewers on the street disgusting and there were some funny fishy smells in the town at times. You could do with a bigger fridge and a toaster.
Mark and Alison McCready and Georgia, July 2007

We have returned to Essaouira after nearly 20 years, with three teenage children. The town is even nicer than we remember. The relief of driving down to the sea breeze after the hot plains of the interior was amazing and we’re rather dreading going back in, but what do you expect from Morocco in August?! We had no hassles at all and the children felt confident and safe enough to wander around without us. It has combined for us a bit of beach holiday with an exotic, different culture. The house has just added to our enjoyment comfortable and yet so in-keeping with its surroundings, the decor, the simplicity and the eccentric references to home!
Francesca and the Shakespeare Family, first days of August 2007

The house is unusual. To start with we thought it was a bit Changing Rooms -cum-car boot sale but it’s grown on us. It is a great way to sample the medina and realise what is behind all those doors we’ve been nosily looking in on any open doors we have seen! We have enjoyed our stay with 3 boys (aged 11, 8 and 4) though the neighbours might not have done. Essaouira August 2007 is somewhat busier and different than when we came in October 1993. C’est la vie!
Liz, Graham, Edwin, Dom and Ollie Beith, 17-22 August 2007

The house is a great place to relax from the hustle and bustle outside and listen to the twittering birds. Thanks to Jeremy and Paolo for making this a special place for people to experience the real Essaouira.
Justin Sturge and Gary Horrocks, 29 August – 4 September 2007

Don’t want to go now. Settled in more and more and immersed in local way of life, pace suits me slow. House is lovely, would like to have one, maybe retire here with what’s left of a pension by the time Gordon’s lot has finished. No drunks, hoodies, trash culture, broken glass or self-important people just pleasant and charming locals what bliss.
Charles and Jane Clode, 14-19 September 2007

Wow! What a fabulous house and beautiful town. Having spent a few days in Marrakech and then the mountains, Dar 91 was an oasis of calm, Fati-Fleur was great – she is so kind although we wished we spoke better French. It was hard to communicate at times but we eventually found a way with a combination of Franglais and hand gestures. All in all a fabulous 5 days and we are very sad to leave however we will be back, although I would avoid Ramadan next time.
Sarah and Claire Milligan, 5 October 2007

Feel sad to leave as have settled into life here. Rather concerned before arrival about safety of women wandering around on their own, but no problem felt safe exploring this fascinating town.
Richard and Andrea John and Cathy Marsden, 19 October 2007

Our visit all too short, but nevertheless enjoyed thoroughly by all. Loved the decor and I can see, given more time, we could have really felt at home here. Fati-Fleur was lovely and she hit it off with our baby, which was great for all of us.
Mike, Stephanie and Elena, 1 November 2007

We spent five lovely days at Dar 91 lots of sunshine and interesting things to look at. Thank you Fati-Fleur for the lovely meal on New Year’s Eve. Great to relax with candles and good music. Thank you Jeremy and Paolo for creating this beautiful oasis.
Elin and Helgy (from Reykjavik), 28 December 2007 – 2 January 2008