A honey-hued, first floor Souiri apartment with seven luxurious bedrooms and unbeatable beach views. It once belonged to a Jewish merchant who kept almonds and carobs in a vaulted store that now houses the b&b’s chic restaurant.
Madada Mogador peeps above the southern rampart of Essaouira’s bijou old city with far-reaching views across the beach and bay. There’s easy access by car via Place Orson Welles, where you’ll also find a fleet of taxis.
Combine this building’s rich history as a Jewish trading depot with the sleek style of ex-Monte Carlo resident Christine Dadda, and you come up with Madada’s elegant, beige-hued beauty. Downstairs, a delightful restaurant in chocolate and orange tones caters to a fashionable crowd; while the first-floor rooms, lounge and library feel more like a chic apartment than a bandb. The star of the show is the deep, rooftop balcony set with comfortable wicker sofas and chairs – possibly the best sun spot in Essaouira.
Service treads the right line between friendliness and professionalism. Like any comfortable home, the house is well-supplied with books, games and iPod docks. Room service is available, while the restaurant offers one of the best dining experiences in Essaouira. There’s also a spectacular studio shop, Le Comptoir Oriental, stocked with high quality artworks and furnishings curated by Christine. For those who fancy a massage, there’s a treatment room with 360-degree views on the top terrace.
The seven rooms are comprised of two standards without a view, three ocean views and two delightful suites with fireplaces, sitting rooms and secluded terraces. All of them have large windows, high ceilings and come with honey-coloured tadelakt walls, rose-hued terracotta floors and large, comfortable beds dressed in crisp white linen. Bathrooms are similarly generous with deep tubs (except for Salma, which has a rain shower), overhead showers and hand-beaten brass basins. The Cherifa, Salma and Pasha rooms are the pick of the bunch, with direct terrace access.
It’s hard to beat breakfast on Madada’s broad, beach-facing terrace. Aside from the chic setting, the usual fare of fruit, yoghurt, pancakes and eggs is better than elsewhere and presented with superior style. For dinner, reserve downstairs at La Table by Madada. Housed in an old carob warehouse the vaulted interior is greatly atmospheric and the menu takes its inspiration from Essaouira’s seafood cuisine. Expect reniced and interesting dishes such as monkfish tagine in a coconut cream and saffron sauce. In addition, the long bar serves up unusually good cocktails like coriander mojitos. Cookery courses are held here in the morning.
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Cots are available, under-twos stay for free and extra beds are charged at €30 (£24) per night. Babysitting can be arranged. For families with older children, enquire about the two-bedroom loft apartment.
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