My husband and I had booked Casa Naima for four days as a restful alternative to Essaouira medina. We arrived having had to wade through the streets of Essaouira up to our ankles (a flash storm) and were soaking wet. My husband is 76 and is already on medication and of delicate health. Both of us felt unwelcome from the start. There was no offer to dry our clothes so we had to sit for hours in front of the fire (the rest of the house was cold) keeping warm and drying out clothes. The room we had was cold and bare. We asked for a second heater and were roundly and indeed unpleasantly told off by Severine for asking for a heater when the door was left open (not much I think) which I found most offensive and upsetting. Even if we were in the wrong there was no reason to be so agressive.
There was no attempt to show us where we could go the following day - there were no maps of the area available, even hand drawn, which surprised us as surely other guests would have wanted to wander around. It is also worth pointing out that perhaps at this time of year the pool is not operational, not that this was an option for us. The food too was not appetising (bar the puddings). Suffice it to say that we couldn't leave fast enough and so left after two nights rather than the four we had originally opted for. We returned with relief to the wonderful Riad Malaika where we did feel welcome and valued guests and who charged us less for considerably more.
I was very disappointed as the previous write ups had been so positive. Neither of us were prepared for such a frosty welcome. I don't think I have ever felt less welcome in any hotel or bed & breakfast in my life!
