These apartments were extremely well placed-off the main thoroughfare, but within easy reach of everywhere in Agadir.

It’s a strange-looking hotel, as all you see from the road is the main door, as the rest of the ground floor is given over to small shops, a bank, and a restaurant. But once through the splendid and elaborate entrance, you’re in for a treat. The beautifully marbled entrance is lavishly decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, and the robed commissionaire and reception staff are ready to make your welcome special.

Behind the reception area, the clean white apartments are arranged around a series of secluded courtyards, giving everyone a feeling of privacy and the illusion that the complex is much smaller than it truly is. Each apartment had large arched windows, domed roofs, and ornate metalwork.

The apartment itself was somewhat basic, but comfortable. Straight in through patio door was a lounge area with a sturdy settee and a TV that would only pick up crackled and distorted pictures. At the rear of the lounge was a compact kitchenette, or large cupboard, that had adequate cutlery and crockery and a twin-ringed oven, but no kettle. What more can I say! The roomy en-suite, Moroccan-styled bedroom was accessed through double-swing doors. The bed was comfortable, but the pillows were flat and insufficient. However, when I asked for additional pillows, these were rapidly provided.

We were on the ground floor, so our patio was less private than some others, but we had loads of space to spread ourselves out and the patio furniture enabled us to have a relaxed lunch near our room. Not that lunch was ever that ambitious since the local supermarkets always seemed very low on supplies (we had to be up early to get bread, and tinned fish seemed to be only thing in abundance), and the apartment snack bar only sold chips, pizza, and ice cream.

The hotel swimming pool was large enough and very well maintained. Terracing made it even more attractive and the backcloth of the bright terracotta-arched, windowed communal lounge; green tiled roofs; white domes of the apartment blocks augmented by the lushness of palm trees; and colourful pot plants made it particularly attractive.

Each morning the pool attendants were quick to provide us with loungers and parasols, and sad to say, we soon became creatures of habit, as they placed them on “our spot” on the upper terrace. From here we had a view across the road and the merest glimpse of the sea.

Some days local craftspeople brought items to the hotel for sale. They were happy to let you look, and there was no attempt to push for a sale. Reception had a well-displayed tourist information service with no pressure advice if you requested it.

All in all, the Iguodar Apartments were comfortable and exceptionally well maintained. All of the staff was friendly and helpful, but not pushy–the perfect balance in my mind.