Kasbah Bab Ourika

Bab Ourika perches majestically on a hilltop at the apex of the Ourika Valley, guarding the gateway to the snow-capped Atlas Mountains – yet it is only 35 minutes from Marrakech’s International airport. With 360 degree panoramic views, this innovative new hotel receives warm sunlight all day, ending in spectacular sunsets. From its unique eyrie-like position it offers a birds eye view of the Atlas, of traditional Berber villages and of the lush river valley below.

The Kasbah is one of the most eco-friendly hotels in Morocco; constructed principally from rammed earth, the traditional Berber building technique, it seems almost to have grown out of the rocks beneath. The thick walls provide such good insulation that air-conditioning is unnecessary. Solar panels provide hot water for the hotel and and the underfloor heating. Soon a biodigester will provide electricity and compost not only for the hotel but also for the village below.

Guests can relax in individually decorated rooms with their own terraces or unwind by the secluded swimming pool. Meals are served in the gardens or in the colonnaded restaurant or can be taken privately in the rooms or suites. The restaurant serves food that is freshly supplied daily from the surrounding villages. The chef specialises in traditional Berber recipes as well as international cuisine.

Those curious to see more of Morocco can visit the large Monday Berber market at the nearby town of Tnine Ourika or call at some of the farms that grow herbs and flowers in the valley for the perfumiers and herbalists who sell a wide variety of exotic perfumes in the Medina. For the energetic there is also hiking, trekking, biking, rafting, and riding from the Kasbah or skiing nearby in the Atlas mountains. Alternatively, guests can drive only 45 minutes into Marrakech to explore on foot the Souks in the Medina and enjoy the delights of the famous Main Square (Djemaa el Fna).

The Kasbah Bab Ourika provides opportunities for many different kinds of holiday in an exceptionally beautiful part of the Atlas mountains. The Kasbah offers a peaceful but spectacular interlude in sharp contrast with the hustle of the Western World. Days spent relaxing here will be remembered with pleasure for long afterwards.