Riad Soleil d'Orient

該酒店由於位於老城區，非常難找，周邊小巷縱橫，建築破舊不堪，街道又臟又亂，街上沒有什麼人，酒店沒有明顯招牌，我經過很長時間尋找終於才在21:40左右在一個偏僻的斷頭小巷裡找到酒店大門，大門上沒有任何酒店標識，大門前的小巷衹有一盞昏暗的燈，顯得異常陰森恐怖。經過十幾分鐘的敲門，才有人從裏面探出個頭來，裏面也是燈光昏暗，沒有明顯的前台，這讓我感覺一陣害怕緊張，感覺安全沒法保障，當即決定不入住該酒店。之後向攜程投訴要求取消該訂單，攜程反饋酒店不同意。之後要求攜程解決，攜程至今未幫我解決。我認為攜程對此訂單負有主要責任，因為該酒店被攜程標成4鑽，但是根據我實地觀察的實際情況，該酒店根本達不到4鑽的標準。難道攜程所謂的4鑽酒店連個像樣的招牌、像樣的前台、正常的燈光和服務人員都沒有嗎？

This Riad is a delightful place to stay. It is not in the old part of the town and, from the outside, looks quite ordinary. It is approached down a narrow alley, through a small traditional doorway, and suddenly you are inside an oasis of tranquilly and charm. There are trees in the large, cool, central courtyard which is beautifully decorated. The rooms are on the first and second floors and are also delightfully decorated. Because there were no suitable restaurants nearby we decided to eat in the Riad. It was a good choice. The food was excellent and they easily coped with the fact that half our party were vegetarian and one gluten intolerant. It is a delightful place to stay.

If this Riad were in France, people would be coming to it just for the evening meal. Other guests had already said to us “Just wait until you taste the cooking”. Our anticipation increased when we read (roughly translated) “Dinner available by reservation only: menu made with fresh ingredients bought from the market on the day”. This is normally a very good sign; we were not disappointed. There must be a chef of genius in the kitchen; no choice, just (just!) starter, main course and dessert representing the fusion of the best of French cuisine with the best & freshest of Moroccan ingredients. Lonely Planet guidebooks are rather dismissive of El Jadida suggesting doing the sights in an hour or two and the moving on. We combined the sights with an overnight stay at Riad Soleil d’Orient and benefitted not just from delicious French cuisine but also from the care and thoughtfulness with which Mme Laurence has carried out her vision for the riad: the bright courtyard with a fountain & a fig tree, the upstairs dining room with an open log fire, the 1st floor sitting room with books, chess set, dominos, playing cards, CDs & player. Our (marble floored) room showed the same care: heaters in case the Atlantic winds blew at the town, a large shower with plentiful (solar powered) hot water and the generous provision of not merely shower gel and shampoo but also conditioner, cleanser & cotton wool pads and body lotion. Special mention must be made of the friendly and helpful staff; in particular Abdou who kindly walked us to the Portuguese fort & port (but, yes, the Riad provides a handy map) and later, in a smart uniform, served the delicious dinner, and finally helped us with our bags the next morning. Incidentally Riad Soleil d’Orient is the first riad we have found where you can actually drive up to the entrance. El Jadida was not - at least when we visited it - a prepossessing town, but it has the potential to develop into a resort. Riad Soleil d’Orient is ahead of the curve.