Moroccan Hotels

Kasbah

What is a Kasbah?

A kasbah was a secure fortress used for protection when the main town was under siege. Often located on high ground for better strategic reasons, this has the added benefit of providing you with a wonderful view.

Many kasbahs have been converted into hotels and staying in one of these traditional buildings offers an intimate charm. They exude character and  provide an authentic Moroccan experience.

Desert Camp

Types of Desert Camps

Standard Desert Camp / budget option

These camps are basic and simple. They typically consist of 8 to 10 private tents or chambers with mattresses on the floor and some basic bedding provided. They have a toilet and sometimes a shower set a few steps away from the tents and a basic meal will be cooked and served around a camp fire.

Verdict – cheap and cheerful

Tree Camp / mid-range option

This is a unique camp and a very special spot with 5 tents set under a huge desert tree. The tents have a mattresses on the floor and a rudimentary, separate bathroom area in each with toilet and basins. After the sun sets dramatically over the dunes the camp fires and lanterns will be lit and a traditional Moroccan feast will be served.

This is an amazing experience and after you’ve enjoyed the stars and the secrets, the laughter and the friendship – you can sleep in a comfortable tent or under the stars.

Verdict – unique and quirky

Luxury Eco Camp

This camp is luxurious, stylish and comfortable. Standards are exceptionally high and the restaurant serves a 4-course menu made of locally sourced, daily fresh ingredients, with great care and dedication.  If the weather is fine, your dinner can be served at a table placed in the high dunes if you wish and local talented musicians will play traditional music around the huge fire pit.

Each handmade, Bedouin tent is uniquely decorated with Moroccan style and eco principles. All six tents contain huge beds with high quality linen and elegant private bathrooms.  Sand-boarding is also available.

The outside areas are an absolute delight, adorned with rugs, lanterns and a choice of romantic seating areas and hand made furniture.

The position of this camp is perfect – set far from most other camps and with high dunes right next to the camp.

This is also the ONLY ECO CAMP in the area.

Verdict – indulgent and atmospheric

Berber Village House

Moroccan Homestay

For the most authentic experience possible why not stay in a simple village house inhabited by Berber families.  The resident Berber family will be your hosts, supplying your shelter and the evening meal. You can integrate into family life as much or as little as you wish and they will enjoy showing you around their village. You can have your hands painted with henna, cook a meal all together and enjoy the hospitality.

All these houses are traditionally mud built and have a rustic charm but some have electricity, hot showers and air conditioning installed.​

Bathrooms

Bathrooms in Morocco are often very beautiful but not very practical.

The health and safety rules which apply in other countries are non existent here.

Expect leaking showers, no hand-rails, no non-slip mats and bad lighting.

Doorways are often low or ridiculously high with old and badly fitting doors or even just a curtain between the bedroom and bathroom. Hot water is very intermittent and in the medinas, there is often a slightly bad smell coming from the ancient drainage system.

But with tiles from heaven, tons of copper-ware and marble – huge baths and showers, basins for 2, scattered rose petals and natural products such as argan and ghassoul in delicate bottles and ceramic pots – they are a sensory heaven and for most people the little annoying practicalities just add to the charm.

This is Africa – so we advise that you just enjoy them for what they are rather than comparing to your own home country standards.