Madada Mogador

WALKING THROUGH THE GNARLED, centuries-old wooden door leading to Madada Mogador felt rather like stepping into an Arabian Nights timewarp. But hey, we were in for some surprises.

Climbing a flight of stone steps, we emerged into a world of cool and cutting-edge Maroc – all iced-coffee tadelakt walls, cream tiles and high-backed suede chairs. Emerging onto the terrace, we were dazzled again by a sweep of sea, sand and seagulls as we surveyed the ramparts of medieval Essaouira.

Shopped out from three days in Marrakech and schlepped out from a tiring (if tremendous) trek in the Atlas Mountains, we were laden with bags and ready to chill – and Madada Mogador is just the place for it.

Perfect wind-down

Essaouira – Morocco’s wind surfing capital – is the perfect post-Marrakech wind-down. And you can’t beat the terrace of Madada Mogador for lazily watching the sun go down with a chilled glass (or three) of wine.  

Owner Christine Dadda, who hails from Monaco, has created a sleek, chic riad from an old merchant’s house on the very edge of Essaouira’s medina. High ceilings, tall windows and a quartet of earthy Maroc tones – sand, ivory, coffee and bitter chocolate – lend a chic urban edge. 

Unadorned tadelakt plaster walls have a coolly minimalist feel, set off by  striking brass lamps and Roman blinds. Bathrooms are high on ethnic glam, with tadelakt showers or soaking tubs and hammered brass basins.
 
There was an iPod dock by our bedside and fresh roses beside the bath. We loved all the detailing – the finely carved wood panels on the wardrobes, the beautiful Arab calligraphy (Madada Mogador’s logo) inscribed on mirrors, pillows and even pictures, and the contrast of silky-smooth tadelakt walls with the weathered original terracotta floor tiles.

All seven rooms are different. Assala is a peach, with an open-plan bathroom and big tadelakt soaking tub. Sabra has a huge bathtub in the bedroom,  while chic Cherifa has a sunken bathtub, a private terrace perfect for sunset cocktails and great views of the ramparts.

Madada Mogador’s sprawling roof terrace, with its low wicker armchairs, leather sofas and wide-open views is a magnet, and we never tired of watching the wind and kite surfers in action across the bay. 
 
There’s free wi-fi internet in the airy lobby lounge, and you won’t need to go far for eats – the building’s ground floor is home to After Five, a trendy French-Maroc cocktail bar and restaurant in shades of plum and purple. Madada Mogador’s welcoming and on-the-ball staff look after their guests a treat, too.

© Room for Romance