Kasbah Bab Ourika

Retreat to Kasbah Bab Ourika, the gateway to the Atlas Mountains, and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Taking their cue from Berber design, the 27 rooms disguise themselves amid the rock and earth surrounding to give a sense of intimacy and seclusion unlike anywhere else. Whether you choose to trek to Setti Fatima and it’s waterfalls, ride camels through the village of Timalizen, see Marrakech from above in a hot air balloon, or simply gaze at the stars; Kasbah Bab Ourika is the getaway we’ve all been searching for.

LOCATION

Sitting pride of place on its very own hilltop in Morocco’s Ourika Valley, Kasbah Bab Ourika looks down to a flowing river, green fields and groves of olives, oranges and lemons and up to the snowcapped mountain peaks. The truly unique location is what will steal your heart from the moment that you arrive. You’ll feel a million miles away from anything, yet you’ll only be 30 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from the vibrant souks of Marrakech’s Medina.

YOUR ROOM

Take your pick from 27 individually decorated rooms, all with uninterrupted views of the Atlas Mountains, the National Park and the Ourika Valley. Each room exudes effortless Moroccan flair, with bed-heads upholstered in natural tones of leather, floors hidden by handmade Beni Ourain carpets, windows dressed in old Berber plaids and pom-pom blankets thrown over the bed. For ultimate privacy, look no further than the Kasbah Bab Ourika Villa and from its secluded spot, take in all of the might of the Ourika Valley and gaze up at the stars through the sliding glass roof.

WHY WE LIKE IT

With every member of staff being from the local nearby Berber villages; authenticity is at the heart of Kasbah Bab Ourika. Learn all about the Moroccan way of life and listen to the stories that they have to share. A culture lesson doesn’t come more authentic than this. No ask is too big or small for the local staff who will take the time to prepare a traditional middle eastern picnic for your afternoon hike, using only fresh produce from the kitchen gardens and surrounding valley, or prepare a market-bought leg of goat that you picked up that morning for dinner.