Médina Essaouira Thalassa sea & spa Mgallery ★★★★★

When I think of Morocco, I imagine bright oranges, reds, greens, and blues, rich, rustic squares surrounded by tall, peeling Arabic edifices brought to life by snake charmers and busy stalls. I imagine narrow, winding alleyways leading to all corners of the mind. I picture stained-glass windows and architectural detailing that stems from ancient lands, and I can smell the aromas of spices, fresh fish and cooking meat mixing with the hot, sun-faded ground. Morocco, for me, is an abstract burst of colour and life, contrasted against its arid desert backdrop.

Each turn reveals a new experience for the senses; a fresh smell of cooking spices, drums accompanying traditional Gnawa singing, a dazzling dose of colourful fabrics to admire, a taster of a sweet dessert dish offered from outside a hidden eatery, and the changing direction of the persistent coastal wind. This overwhelming sensory array is both confusing and completely welcoming at once – Who can turn down a delicious free food sample? It’s a place full of life, wonder and inspiration, that welcomes you with a familiar smile and open arms.

This is the same greeting I get when I arrive at the MGallery, which sits on the shore of the fishing town, by the shimmering waters of the sea. Like in the rest of Essaouira, I am invited in as if visiting an old friend, and shown to my room. The exterior of the building is a red riad design, a modern comparison to the old fortified walls that characterise the town but, inside, the rich textures and colours are clearly of Moroccan influence, with deep chocolate furnishings accentuated by the crisp white walls and atmospheric lighting. Throughout, there are small but not unnoticeable North African accents; a diamond design here or a rustic, Moroccan lantern there, for example. The result is both extremely comfortable and highly aesthetic, and I immediately fall in love with the characterful touches of Essaouira that make it feel like home.

I stroll to the beach, half expecting to find a genie in a bottle in one of the nooks and crannies, but realise that all my wishes have already been answered when I emerge onto the waterfront and marvel at the clear blue ocean. The sands are golden – I expected nothing less from the town filled with rich colour – and the open expanse of beach, sea, and sky offers an interesting contrast to the compact streets of the town.

I finish my stay with a trip to the nearby Medina, which sums up the entire town of Essaouira – and the MGallery hotel – perfectly. It’s colourful, magical, and full of life, and I know I’ll be back someday because I’m already well and truly under its spell.