Baoussala

Rooms

Having grown organically over the years, Baoussala’s 8 rooms and suites are spread between the main house and a clutch of smaller buildings in the garden. Though they all vary in layout, they do share a decorative, home-spun warmth. Cosy chill-out areas with low, cushion-strewn benches, original paintings and masses of candles easily compensate for any lack of ‘extras’.

We found the Hammam Suite, the smallest space, to be wonderfully cosy for couples (and, as the name suggests, converted from the former steam bath). In contrast, the romantic Akal Room is very spacious with a smart sitting area, as well as a sunken tadelakt bathtub in its ensuite. Couples looking for a hideaway will like The Lodge, a cool wooden cabin in a quiet corner of the garden.

The suites are larger, and we felt the Kalyptus Suite’s private terrace overlooking the garden gave it extra wow-factor. The gorgeous standalone Marabout Suite cottage, with its 2 bedrooms (one of which has a spectacular circular domed ceiling) and terrace (near the pool), is perfect for families.

Taabiha Cottage is hidden amid the gum trees; this stilted house has two rooms and sleeps up to 6. Expect a cute open-plan master bedroom-meets-lounge, a second lounge with a ladder leading to a mezzanine bedroom (best for older kids), and a rustic bathroom complete with zinc bathtub. On our most recent visit we stayed in the Warda Suite: minimal-chic with pale pink and nude shades, this is a little garden getaway with a private terrace and two double bedrooms, comfortably sleeping our family of four.

Most of the bathrooms are rendered in beautiful sandy-coloured tadlakt. They're not grand, but they're perfectly in sync with the ‘keep it simple’ philosophy - and worth every dirham of their modest price tag.

Features include:

• Central heating
• Cots available
• Fireplace
• WiFi

Eating

It was in the kitchen that Baoussala scored the highest for us. Dominique is a genuine foodie who loves to experiment with new recipes, and all meals are moveable feasts.

The day begins with a Moroccan breakfast of freshly baked bread, pancakes, local jams and honey, coffee and tea à volonté, plus delicious fresh orange juice and fresh fruit. This is the time to let Dominique know if you’d like to dine in that evening: she will be heading off to the market for fresh ingredients.

Poolside lunches are deliberately kept simple as guests tend to be visiting Essaouira or at the beach. Our grilled calamari and prawn salad was perfect. The kids menu is great value and we all loved the Berber eggs and chocolate crepes.

But for dinner you can expect an extra-special feast. Both the sheltered courtyard and the cosy lounge look really lovely at night, when dozens of lamps are lit. You can also request dinner à deux - perhaps on the roof terrace under the stars…

Our supper started with olives and nibbles, before a peppery orange and black olive starter. Main courses are classical Moroccan: we had calamari tagine, barbequed fish and a delicious goats cheese tart. In her choice of desserts, Dominique reveals her Gallic origins: tarte aux poires and gooey homemade chocolate cake. Let the staff know about dietary requirements or picky eaters and they'll be able to make adjustments to the menu.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Kids' meals
• Lunch by arrangement
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Shop in Essaouira’s medina (15-minute drive) and be sure to wander down to the harbour to watch the day’s catch being auctioned, then treat yourself at one of the colourful little fish stalls
  
• Book in a full-body scrub down, heavenly massage or beautifying treatment at the Hammam, open to all guests
  
• The nearest beach is at Sidi Kaouki (10km) - almost empty outside midsummer. It's great for windsurfing and kiting, with a reliable afternoon cross-shore wind ("chergui") and decent waves. Head into Essaouira for other watersports, or to Moulay for the best surfing
  
• You can also go horse riding or quad-biking through argan forests and sand dunes to reach the beach
  
• Follow the coastal highway south towards Agadir to see goats climbing trees in the argan forest; visit the weekly countryside flea markets of ida Ougourd (20 minutes away) and Smimou (30 minutes away)
  
• At Baoussala, wander over to the kitchen and take an impromptu lesson in Moroccan cooking or stretch it out with a yoga class

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Horse riding
• Kitesurfing
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Windsurfing
• Yoga

Kids

Families are welcome at Baoussala which is, by nature, an inclusive type of place. Kids will get a lot of attention from the lovely Moroccan staff and love to play in the tortoise garden. They'll also get a buzz out of a camel or donkey ride along the beach. The pool is heated year-round, and there's table tennis, board games and an outdoor cinema (mainly July-August) to keep the whole family entertained.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Most rooms have space for at least 1 child. The suites can sleep 4 to 6 people and we feel the large Marabout Suite is a particularly good option: 2 bedrooms, a living room, a terrace and a more private garden setting (yet near the pool). The Taabiha Cottage sleeps 6, although one bedroom is accessed via a ladder.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 10 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Baoussala is near the Atlantic coast, just south of Essaouira, in northern Morocco.

By Air
Essaouira (10km) is served by several airlines and is an easy 10-minute drive or taxi ride away; you can also fly into Marrakech Menara (180km away).

From Marrakech
There are regular buses and masses of grands taxis (shared taxis) from Marrakech to Essaouira, or you can take a private taxi which Baoussala can organise for you. Car hire is also a popular option - there's off-street parking on site. If you opt for a bus, we'd recommend the Supratours from outside the train station in Gueliz, Marrakech. They're fast (2.5-3 hours) and air-conditioned, but book tickets at least a day ahead. Baoussala can send a taxi to collect you on arrival in Essaouira.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Morocco and getting around.