L'Iglesia

Rooms

While the common areas in the church and consulate have a soaring, airy quality, the 13 individually designed rooms and suites feel cosier. Two-toned walls with half-height wainscoting stack muted greys and tans under rich Moroccan greens, pomegranates and deep maroons, and hand-woven rugs cover planked or tiled floors. The double or twin wrought-iron beds (some four-poster) have crisp white sheets topped with embroidered covers, and Moroccan arches and shuttered windows make you feel as if you've stepped into another age. Appropriately, there are no TVs, radios or DVD players, although you do get free WiFi, air-conditioning and hairdryers.

The 4 rooms and 1 suite in the consulate have an Art Deco feel, with dark-wood dressers and carved armoires; the church's 6 rooms and 2 suites are furnished with sleek mid-century desks and armchairs. Most are spacious (Superior Luxes are a little bigger than Superiors), and the Suite has a large sitting area. Top of the range are the Suite Luxes, one of which comes with 2 single sofabeds that are ideal for children. If you want the best views, opt for a Superior Luxe or Suite Luxe, which have nicer outlooks than the Superiors and Suite. My room, on the top floor of the consulate, had a wonderful vista of the fortress and harbour from the bedroom and bathroom.

Bathrooms in all rooms are large, with tiled walls and floors, pedestal sinks and glass shower cubicles with rain heads. One of the Suite Luxes has a freestanding claw-foot tub, too.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

A light yet tasty breakfast of yoghurt, crêpes, toast, jams, juice and coffee is served from 7:30 to 10am. You can eat in the consulate's restaurant, La Terrasse de L'Iglesia, on the patio outside, or in the cloister of the church.

The restaurant is then open for lunch (until 3pm) and dinner (until 9.30pm). It has 2 rooms, one with a black-and-white tiled floor, pomegranate walls and tulip chairs tucked under wrought-iron tables, the other a cosier space set behind a stone arch. Menus change daily, so check the chalkboard for Moroccan and French dishes such as aubergine tapenade, seafood, spicy vegetable stew and meaty tagines served in distinctive cone-shaped pots, along with a well-chosen list of wines. The salmon was excellent and I liked the Caesar salad (made with roasted tomatoes, shredded Parmesan and sardines) so much that I ordered it twice. For dessert, I splurged on crêpes wrapped around a decadent chocolate filling and topped with slivered almonds, before lingering over a silver pot of Moroccan mint tea.

Daytime snacks are available at Jean Dominque’s tea room, Café Do Mar, which is set between the church and consulate. Its roof terrace has sweeping views, and there’s a range of teas, coffees, smoothies, fresh juices, crêpes and ice creams to choose from. Guests can also order cocktails and aperitifs on the consulate’s roof terrace or in the church cloister, where music is played each evening from 7pm.

Features include:

• Bar
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Sunbathe or dive into a novel on one of the rooftop terraces, furnished with loungers and chairs
  
• Book a massage in the consulate’s massage room, set atop a tower with panoramic views of the town and coast. There’s also an outdoor bathtub for alfresco soaks
  
• Explore El Jadida's fortress, colourful fishing harbour, coastal ramparts and Portuguese cistern (best done with a guide, who can share the town’s fascinating history)
  
• Borrow a bike and pedal through the manicured gardens of the new town, then follow the palm-lined path to the beach
  
• Take a taxi to Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort (5 minutes away; L’Iglesia guests get discounted entry) to indulge in the day spa, laze on the sand, have a game of tennis or play golf on the oceanside par-72 course designed by Gary Player
  
• Wander through the neighbouring town of Azemmour, an authentic jumble of whitewashed lanes and old fortifications on the bank of the Oum Er-Rbia river. Its beach is a great spot for wind- and kite-surfing
  
• Take a bus or taxi to Oualidia, a small fishing village on a vast turquoise lagoon. Try your hand at fishing or sailing, take a boat trip through narrow channels flanked by salt flats, and keep your eyes peeled for migratory birds such as avocets, godwits and warblers
  
• Carry on down the coast to Safi, renowned for its pottery, and haggle for bargains in the souks
  
• Or take the train in the opposite direction to Casablanca, an hour away. It’s the economic hub of Morocco, with shopping malls, markets and a mix of Moorish, modernist and Art Deco architecture

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Historical sites
• Kitesurfing
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Traditional cultures
• Well being
• Windsurfing

Kids

The stone steps and peaceful atmosphere at the hotel mean it isn’t ideal for young children. That said, all ages are welcome. All rooms can accommodate a baby cot, and one Suite Luxe has 2 single sofabeds which can be made up on request (all free of charge). The restaurant also offers a kids’ menu, and there are kids’ clubs and activities at the Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort (a 5-minute taxi ride away).

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Family Rooms

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The hotel is spread across 2 buildings on the harbourfront of El Jadida, on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. It’s an hour southwest of Casablanca, 3.5 hours north of Essaouira, and 3 hours from Marrakech.

By Air:
The closest international airport is Casablanca (100km away). Many guests combine some time here with a stay in Marrakech, flying into Marrakech Menara (201km away) and then travelling overland to the coast. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving both of these airports.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers from either of the airports mentioned above. There are also train and bus connections (see below), or you can hire a car.

By Public Transport:
El Jadida is served by buses from Casablanca and Marrakech, and by trains from Casablanca (see Seat 61 for more info). You can also travel by train from Marrakech by changing in Casablanca, but you may find the bus is quicker.

By Car:
You don’t need a car here as bikes are available to borrow, and taxis and guides are easily arranged. However, a vehicle can be useful for exploring the coast - click here to see our recommendations for car hire. Parking is available in front of the hotel.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Morocco and getting around