Dar Mimosas
Essaouira, Morocco
by Sarah Shuckburgh
Four years of restoration and building, and the delivery of
240 lorry-loads of earth, have resulted in eight suites
dotted about a beautiful garden. The owner and proprietor,
Philippe Cachet, claims to be colourblind, but his choices
of colours for his hotel are spectacular - deep blue and
terracotta, with black and white tiles. Everywhere, inside
and out, are Moroccan antiques - earthenware jars, mosaics,
fountains, statues. Leading off the shady terrace are
several small dining rooms where guests are served dinner at
rose-strewn, candle-lit tables.
Dotted about the garden are four double suites, and four
villas each with two double rooms. It is hard to choose the
best - all have log fires (already laid and ready to light),
private terraces or gardens, and all are full of works of
Moroccan art, carpets, antiques, and traditional furniture,
including local marquetry. Two of the suites have sea views
from their terraces. The other two have private walled
gardens. The villas each have two bathrooms, a
fully-equipped kitchen, a large sitting room and a terrace,
patio and private garden with a fountain. When the King of
Morocco comes to stay, he takes over Philippe Cachet's own
quarters upstairs in the main house.
Ask for the key to a vivid blue gate in the terracotta
garden wall, and walk through the scrubby sandhills to the 'oued',
home to millions of birds. Cross the estuary to walk to the
village where Jimi Hendrix and his friends lived in the
1960s, or stroll along the crescent of sand to Essaouira.
First published by Travel Intelligence Ltd
©SarahShuckburgh |
