It is arguable that Christine, the glamorous French owner of this sleek maison d’hotes, has acquired one of the best hotel locations in Essaouira. Being just steps from the medina, when you have haggled your way to a new bag and a bevvy of spices, you can retreat to the hotel’s sheltered terrace for a cooling complimentary glass of lemonade overlooking the beach.
This is a welcoming place to kick back and relax; the interiors are spacious and stylishly renovated, with elegant bedrooms in shades of cream-and-taupe. The restaurant serves delicious Moroccan cuisine, which you can learn to replicate in the hotel's cookery school - a translator will even help you gather spices from the souk. On chilly nights, sip cocktails in the bar and come bedtime you’ll find a hot water bottle warming the sheets. Christine has even more projects in the pipeline, including a concept store, but her focus remains on making your stay the best it can be.
Highs
- A hard-to-beat location on Essaouira’s ramparts and a fantastic roof terrace with panoramic beach and harbour views
- Excellent staff provide warm and efficient service
- A superb ground-floor restaurant/bar, plus a well-regarded cookery school for honing your skills
- Guests are given a mobile phone on arrival preprogramed with the hotel’s number and other recommended places to eat.
- Families are welcome although it is a quiet, relaxing sort of space
Lows
- During 2016, there was some work being done on the towns sea defences which may still be ongoing. That said, to our knowledge this has not been noisy or disruptive for guests
- Some rooms look out onto the shared terrace but the one way glass means no one can see in
- The nearest parking is in the public harbour lots which are about a 2 minute walk away
Best time to go
Avoid August when the town gets swamped by large numbers of visitors from home and abroad. Spring is much quieter and from March onwards you're almost bound to have good weather. There is an excellent music festival in June, with Gnaoua and other tribal performers.
Our top tips
Moroccan cookery classes are available in the hotel's funky Atelier Madada cookery school. Each budding chef has their own work surface and utensils, with dishes ranging from traditional tagine to the more complex pastilla. Afterwards, enjoy your creations over a glass of wine in the tranquil Oriental lounge - what better way to immerse yourself in the local culinary culture?
- Boutique Hotel
- 8 rooms
- Restaurant and bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The beige-and-sandstone shades of the bedrooms give a soothing uniformity to Madada Mogador. These were once the upper floors of a rich Souiri merchant’s house so all are blessed with high ceilings and an airiness enhanced by the pleasing tang of sea air.
The Loft Suite is the largest with 2 bedrooms, a palatial living area and direct street access. The spacious Suite Cherifa has a wonderful private sea-view terrace overlooking the city ramparts, harbour front and beach. The Madada room has a balcony facing the harbour; Mogador has one too, as well as a mezzanine-level salon. We were quite taken with simple Pacha and Salma rooms, whose entrances lead onto the spacious communal roof terrace. Perfect for lounging on its array of low-slung wicker chairs.
Every ensuite bathroom has ivory tadelakt showers or roomy bathtubs, plus beautiful aged brass hand-basins from Fes. All rooms come with a Bose iPod dock, WiFi, air-conditioning and heaters.
The subtle creamy tones are continued in the lobby and lounge areas and the overall feel is one of space and calm… exactly the type of atmosphere you’d expect a former flight attendant to yearn for. Thankfully, Christine followed her desire and Air France’s loss is our gain.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
Eating
The generous breakfast is a beautiful array of pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit and juice, eggs and pancakes. It can be served in your room or on the terrace… also the perfect setting for afternoon lemonade and cake. Of course, many also gather here for the requisite sunset aperitif.
As night sets in it’s time to meander down to La Table by Madada, the elegant and buzzy restaurant (open to both hotel guests and the public). Food is French and classic Moroccan, with an emphasis on fish (lemon-grilled mullets, monkfish tagines) and indulgent desserts. You’ll be welcomed you with a cocktail list and jazzy music. We sat by the fireplace and settled in for a cosy evening of superb food and delightful service.
Features include:
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Sip cocktails and enjoy a sunset view on the spacious terrace with fabulous coast views
- Go shopping at the souks (markets): friendlier, cheaper and often better quality than in Marrakech, especially for wooden furniture and carvings
- Explore the sea ramparts of this ancient Portuguese (and formerly) Roman town
- Unwind with a traditional hammam or thalassotherapy spa in town; both can be organsied by the staff at Madada Mogador
- Windsurfing and kite surfing from the sandy beach are popular sports (equipment can be hired)
- Go quad-biking or take camel rides in the sand dunes; horseriding can be arranged from a nearby stable
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Windsurfing
Kids
Although children are catered for there aren't any specific activities for them, so it's not ideal for active noisy kids. That said, the staff will do their best to make families welcome and can assist you in arranging local activities, such as camel trekking, horse riding and quad biking.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Loft Suite has a mezzanine double bedroom and a twin room, plus two bathrooms and lots of living space. Most rooms can hold a baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting available by arrangement.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Madada Mogador is in the medina (old city) of Essaouira, on the west coast of Morocco. It's just inside the ramparts opposite Orson Welles Garden.
By Air
Fly in to Essaouira (20km / 30 minutes' drive) or Marrakech (175km / 2 hours away) if you're visiting as part of a wider trip around Morocco. From the airports, you can either take a taxi, drive or take a bus.
By Car
You won't need a vehicle to get around Essaouira itself but you may want to hire a car to drive there from Marrakech or generally explore the wider area.
By Bus or 'Grand Taxi' from Marrakech
There are regular buses as well as a constant stream of 'grand taxis' ploughing the route between Marrakech and Essaouira.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Morocco and getting around
Airports:
- Essaouira 20.0 km ESU
- Marrakech Menara 175.0 km RAK
Other:
- Beach 0.5 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km