I’ve been visiting Morocco year after year for luxury travel conference in Marrakech called PURE and dedicated to authentic travel experiences, and every time I’ve been trying to explore another piece of this fascinating country of so many dimensions.
This year I travelled to Oualidia, peaceful fisherman village by the ocean 2 hours drive from Casablanca and 3 hours drive from Marrakech, where luxury hotel La Sultana settles on the shore of ever changing with low and high tides lagoon.
Morocco never fails to amaze traveller with dramatic landscapes, but what you see when you arrive to La Sultana by unpaved country road (well, rough road is no more than km long, and it just adds to the experience without being annoying)… so, what you see when you arrive is simply unique.
Lagoon is divided from the open ocean by long sandy ridge, and you constantly feel the presence of ocean, even mostly invisible – it breaths, roars, and it constantly changes the landscape as tides are coming and going, and as waves blowing in through the ridge openings. The landscape is dreamy and mystical in morning haze, the colours are soft and watery, and slow movement of small boats add to this perfect watercolour picture.
And now we are arriving to Hotel La Sultana, little gem artistically inlayed into this watercolour perfection, all about view, living slowly, being pampered and immersed in nature. Number of rooms is little, but facilities are many. Beautifully curated gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa, inside and outside restaurant, wooden terraces and numerous sitting corners, hidden and open, to enjoy the scenery, to watch myriads of birds taking advantage of tides bringing abundance of seafood, and scenes of local life along the lagoon.
La Sultana has so many delightful details to pamper my passion for design and decoration, all in happy mix of traditional and modern, rustic and whimsical, bohemian and classic, all crafted from natural materials and in total respect to surrounding landscape. The architectural style of the buildings also finely combines traditions and modernity, so neither is overwhelming, and all together it envelopes the guest in cozy and casual, yet chic atmosphere. Fabulous and friendly service to add to the picture.
As I mentioned, lagoon is a habitat for myriads of birds, large and small, which have plenty of food when low tide bares the bottom, leaving behind shellfish of all kinds. Natural paradise for birdwatching lovers, and you will find binoculars in your room – another smart detail of La Sultana to enjoy.
And of course, boat tour of lagoon is a must – to watch the birds, to glance little scenes of local life on the shores, to see natural oyster farms and the royal palace, impressive even in its ramshackle condition and still guarded even abandoned.
Sure enough, seafood is in great supply at La Sultana restaurant. It is the freshest, it is local, and simply gorgeous. I was invited to see “dinner-to-be” in reservoirs with running water attached to the kitchen, and even I would not be happy to meet one of these tremendous specimens as co-swimmer in the ocean, 300 g crayfish on my dinner plate was a treat. And oh… La Samana’s chef knows how to cook seafood. It was a delight for all senses, no doubts.
And I strongly recommend you to make sure you have your breakfast without rush – such exquisite breakfast needs to be eaten slowly and leisurely. Locally sourced food, in-house bakery (berber bread is my favourite), home-made raspberry and orange jam, moroccan specialities like tajine of eggs with cured meet… Terrace with the view of ever changing lagoon… Just take your time and savour. For your convenience, breakfast is served till noon, so it can be pretty much branch if you fancy.
I didn’t spend much time in my room trying to get the most from my short stay in Oualidia, but my La Sultana suite was as fabulous as everything else there – beautifully appointed spacious room with enchanting views from every window and, of course from my large terrace with outdoor jacuzzi which I managed to enjoy for twenty minutes before heading for dinner.
And well… how to incorporate La Sultana Oualidia in your Moroccan itinerary? It can be perfect as first or last stop if you arrive or depart from Casablanca. It can be side trip from Marrakech. It can be part of your costal itinerary including Essaouira and Tagazout Bay. And I’m here to help you planning your Moroccan adventure. Morocco has so many dimensions, so many beautiful faces, and Oualidia is one of them.
Feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Yours, Julia
