New Opening: Casa.b mogador!

Hidden in the heart of Essaouira’s medina – and just a two-minute stroll from the Atlantic Ocean – an 18^th century building offers 21^st century chic and sustainable stays.

Casa.b … b for Bilic, the family whose vision has transformed a once ramshackled building into an eco-refuge for thoughtful travellers … b also for Blanca, as in Casablanca and the eponymous classic movie – both of which are epitomes of style, romance and history … and, of course, b for Boutique – because this gem is small, personal, privately-owned and family-run. It also has the vibe, location and elegance that makes it the perfect Maison d’hôtes.

Casa.b mogador is a benchmark for the evolution of tourism – a truly niche destination whose owners, Frédérique and Jérôme Bilic, embody the spirit of ecological travel. Their respect for nature is palpable in the sustainable materials used, the preservation of original structures, and the artisanal skills deployed in the building’s rebirth. No corners were cut; no easy, mass-market solutions sought. The liberal scattering of classic designer furniture isn’t a mere style statement – why strain the planet’s natural resources by forever sourcing new stuff when you’ve spent twenty years collecting the best vintage pieces Europe and Morocco have to offer? Eames chairs, traditional banquettes and Koran tables cohabit the building’s spaces in absolute harmony.

This eco-driven approach suffuses the charming hideaway, including the fabulous food and drink on offer. Breakfast is a dream of locally sourced and mostly organic delights. Our favourite early-morning treat: Baghrir pancakes and home-made tomato and vanilla jam! Food miles are also minimised in the daily creation of the set cuisine de familledinner menu. Available on request, this is all about the cook’s inspiration and what’s best on the market that day.

Photocredit: ©Jérôme Bilic, iStock, Unsplash, Said Boumahdi, Golf Mogador