With amazing panoramic views over the Atlas Mountains, verdant Ourika Valley and neighbouring Berber villages, it’s hard to rival Kasbah Bab Ourika’s position. You can sally out to go trekking or exploring, but frankly, staying put is seductively easy.
Telephone: 00 212 661 25 23 28
Url: www.babourika.com
Price: EUR150-EUR400
Built in a 'luxe-Berber' style around a series of courtyards, the Kasbah Bab Ourika is a real delight.
Bedrooms are decorated in a restful palate of creams and browns, punctuated with selected antiques, local curiosities and arrangements of pink and orange roses. Particularly welcome are the large limestone bathrooms and capacious walk through wardrobes, essential for stashing all those souk bargains.
Tech-lovers be warned, the bedrooms are devoid of mod-cons, although there are a selection of stylish rooms downstairs where you can get your fix. Kick back in one of the library's leather chairs to listen to your iPod, take in a film or two in the TV room, or eschew technology altogether and play backgammon in the bar.
Constructed on several levels, the gardens include a secluded pool area, shaded terrace for lunch and a main terrace that is just crying out sundowners.
Unless you're heading out for a walk (well worth it, by the way), the day passes in a restful way, punctuated with gastronomic treats. Sourcing fresh, locally grown ingredients, the chef prepares new lunch and dinner menus daily. So whilst the choice is limited, it’s all pretty wonderful.
The perfect counterpoint to a few days in Marrakech, the Kasbah's atmosphere is tranquil to a fault, with only the call to prayer echoing up the valley and the drone of bees amongst the lavender to disturb the peace. Bliss.
