I spent a most memorable New Year's Eve at this wonderful riad in the heart of the Essaouira medina. The owners of this delightful, traditional house have certainly delivered a great holiday home from home. Every comfort is provided, particularly the glorious beds, which come equipped with enormous pillows, comfy duvets and clean white cotton bed linen. The bathroom in our apartment was an event in itself and I luxuriated under the rainfall shower - no doubt to the annoyance on my partner who had to wait his turn!

The house is in a great location, a stones throw from the wonders of the souk and a few minutes walk from the beach. You can pretty much walk everywhere from here. It's worth getting some restaurant tips from the owners, as they know the area well.

We occupied the whole building for our trip, which was lots of fun, but it is brilliantly designed so that you can take just one apartment and still have a great stay and plenty of privacy.

Breakfast on the roof terrace was particularly fabulous!

A great find...

We had a BRILLIANT time in Essaouira - the town is great, really relaxed and fun with loads of great restaurants and some fun roof terrace type bars. We were really lucky with the weather for january - we spent new year's day on the beach!!! But what really made it for us was our lovely accommodation.

Just off the main square on the seafront of Essaouira, tucked down an alleyway is Dar Lazuli. It's an old riad converted into four "boutique" apartments. Built over five floors including a secluded and very sunny terrace which everyone can use, the attention to detail is exceptional. It really is the sort of place you go into and go "wow" it's just so pretty.

We stayed on the first floor which had a balcony overlooking the central courtyard which is tiled and has a small fountain.

The walls are all white with small recesses painted in pretty pinks and blues - and often full of Essaouiran nick nacks. The floors are all either tiled or painted in muted colours like greens and browns. In our appartment there was a small kitchenette as well as bathroom and kingsize bed. Upstairs an area for sitting/ reading etc though we never used it.

The beds are HUGE! we didn't want to leave it behind!!! with white linen sheets and duvets - hidden away by long white curtains which can be tied back with multicoloured scarves from the medina.

Our bathroom had a big sink and a shower area with a very big and powerful shower. Not what I was expecting in morrocco at all.

The staircases throughout the riad are tiled in a really cool striped tile - very unusual and just one of the touches that make this place really special

This is such a romantic and beautiful place I can't imagine it will be so easy to get a room in the future (it only opened a month ago). And it's great value especially compared to the other hip hotels in the town and the location is fab.

There is also a house keeper who cleans the riad from top to bottom every day and who will cook amazing food for silly money - ie very cheap.

We had such a lovely time at Dar Lazuli and by the looks of the guest book so has everyone else. I just hope with just four apartments we can get back in next year!!!

After two weeks of travelling around Morocco, experiencing the full gamut of lodgings available I arrived at the seaside resort of Essaouira and more specifcally on the doorstep of Dar Lazuli. The apartments are located deep within the heart of the medina but once inside you are transported to an oasis of calm an d tranquility. The apartments are located within a traditional Moroccan dar, furnished with a fusion of traditional Moroccan style with a contemporary twist. Clean lines dominate and are softened with luxurious local textiles and splashes of bold colour grace the walls.