La Sultana Oualidia

Rooms

The rooms' decorative cues follow that of the rest of the hotel: ceilings of dressed sandstone, beautiful zellig floors and walls of honey-coloured tadelakt. Plus you get a full range of creature comforts including a plasma TV, sound-proofing and a minibar with free soft drinks. The meticulous craftsmanship is also in evidence in the woodwork of doors, windows and bedside tables: intricate geometric carving is lightened by a fresh, light blue wash, which dovetails beautifully with the nautical paintings above the kingsize beds.

Each room has a private terrace with a corner Jacuzzi - our stunning Panorama Room also had an aromatic garden. If you want those lagoon views, you'll have to book a Lagoon Suite, the Ocean Suite or the most recent addition: the Tree House. Just a short stroll from the main building, this chic wooden structure is built around an existing tree, grabbing panoramic lagoon views and tempting honeymooners no end. Bathrooms are every bit as swanky as you might expect, with marble-topped vanity units twin basins, luxurious power showers, loads of shelf space and heated towel rails.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are moveable feasts at La Sultana: you can eat on your private terrace, in the sunken Lagoon Dining Room which has the same amazing stonework as the rest of La Sultana, in the more ornate Mast Restaurant further up the hill, in the garden, or, best of all we reckon, on the decked terrace next to the lagoon and the hotel’s private pier.

Being so close to the sea, fresh fish is the mainstay. You are literally yards away from Morocco’s best oyster beds and the lagoon provides an abundant supply of lobster, crayfish, spider crabs and sea urchins. Their signature dish, sea perch cooked in a salt crust, is a guest favourite. If you prefer meat, a range of classical Moroccan dishes is also on the menu – kefta, tagines and pastilla. Masses of TLC goes into the presentation of the food, overseen by a top Marrakchi chef, and there’s an extensive wine list as well as an impressive range of cocktails.

Breakfasts are rather less elaborate: freshly baked bread, Moroccan and french crêpes, fresh fruit juice, cheeses, cold meats and yoghurts. Ask if you’d like eggs, too. It would be tempting to have your breakfast delivered early to your private terrace: the lagoon is uniquely beautiful in the early morning light.

And do sign up for one of their cooking classes focusing on traditional Moroccan fare.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Take a dip in the outdoor infinity pool, the warm indoor pool or the beautiful turquoise lagoon – watch the colourful fishing boats and flamingos at the water's edge
  
• Indulge at the spa: steam a few pounds away in the hammam, leave your skin silky-soft with a full savon noir treatment, have a manicure or massage, then head back to your terrace Jacuzzi
  
• Book a yoga class on the beach
  
• A boat trip along the lagoon is an absolute must. Head north through a series of narrow channels to an isolated marabout’s tomb at the edge of the ocean then head to the salt flats. You can also hire bikes to cycle through the nature reserve to the marshes or ride horses along the sands
  
• Padel tennis is complimentary for guests and available every day
  
• Immerse yourself in local culture in the authentic souk (market day is Wednesday) or enjoy a delicious Berber dinner by the beach
  
• Walk along the beach to Oualidia, past the extraordinary remains of a palace that was built for the previous king, visited just once, then abandoned
  
• Make the most of the natural environment, there’s fantastic birdwatching and watersports (SUP, surfing, kayaking, fishing) to be had here
  
• Head down the coast to Safi (just an hour's drive to the south) and visit the colline des Poitiers (spectacular hills) then haggle for Morocco’s most attractive ceramics. Also one hour away is the Unesco World Heritage listed Portuguese city of Mazagan (El Jadida)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• SUP
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Well being
• Windsurfing
• Yoga

Kids

La Sultana Oualidia is an excellent choice for families with young kids as it has safe swimming in the lagoon from its sandy beach with a very gradual drop-off and few waves. You’d feel a real sense of security within the walled gardens of La Sultana where there are always plenty of staff about to keep an eye on little ones. There are lots of imaginative activities on offer for all ages, including watersports. And, of course, any kid would enjoy a boat trip on the lagoon.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Excluding the Tree House, all rooms can take at least one extra bed and a baby cot (which are free for children under 2 years old)

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 2.5 hours (Casablanca); 3 hours (Marrakech)
• Shops: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

La Sultana is in Oualidia, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, equidistant between Casablanca and Essaouira.

By Air:
Fly in to Casablanca Mohammed V (200km), Essaouira (200km) or Marrakech Menara (210km). The hotel can arrange a transfer from Casablanca or Marrakech, or if you want more freedom you could hire a car. It's a 2.5-hour drive from Casablanca; 3 hours from Marrakech; the hotel has a car park and valet service.

Other options:
There are buses from Casablanca to Oualidia (changing at El Jadida) or from Essaouira to Oualidia (changing at Safi) - but both are quite slow (5+ hours). There are also buses from Marrakech to Safi and connections to Oualidia (4+ hours).

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

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