12 Best Hotels in High Atlas, Morocco

Tucked into the village of Imghlaus, Dar Itrane is an inconspicuous gem of a lodge, with little that isn't utterly charming. Constructed entirely from the earth it stands on, the lodge surrounds a lovely courtyard and is run by a friendly staff. Upstairs on the terrace, there is a row of rocking chairs looking out to the mountains. The cuisine is 100% homemade (and delicious) and you can eat in one of the many communal areas outside. After a long day of trekking, reserve the hammam (make sure you give them notice so they can stoke up the fire) or read up on Amazigh and Moroccan history in the library. It's also worth going on any of the cultural hikes offered by the hotel, which include an introduction to agricultural life as well as culinary, architectural, and decorative Amazigh traditions.

This charming, whimsical guesthouse was built from scratch using traditional methods and materials in the tiny hamlet of Tamatert, just past Imlil. Thanks to the boho-chic style, it's known to inspire many a wannabe interior decorator, and the collection of hammocks and nooks makes it a little paradise of peace. For an even more unique stay, there are two treehouse rooms available! 

Hidden on a promontory above the small Amazigh town of Tisselday, this is one of the best lodges in the region and a great place to stop on your journey south from Marrakesh. The rustic farmhouse on the side of a hill is a quiet idyll, with a small pool and dining terrace overlooking the valley. Most rooms are arranged around a small courtyard or are beyond the terrace. All have private bathrooms. Make sure you reserve a double bed if you want one (some are simply two singles pushed together). It's a great base for a day trip to Telouet or for walking—it's a 45-minute walk from a tumbledown red-earth kasbah.

One of the valley’s first lodges, this friendly option guarantees excellent service, good food, and a snug bed for prices that won’t break the bank. Run by a warm and chatty woman, Le Maquis also has a good swimming pool, blossoming gardens, and a fantastic hammam where massages and other beauty treatments can be organized on request. The kitchen will serve you a nice range of simple dishes with both French and Moroccan touches.

This very pretty auberge is run by a friendly couple who offer convivial service and excellent home-cooked cuisine with a refined touch. They’re rigorous about sourcing their food ethically—products are farm fresh and locally sourced, free from chemicals. The place is constructed from baked earth and stone and features a number of terraces overlooking the beautiful surrounding valleys, as well as some lovely gardens that brim with bright flowers, fruit trees, and shady chestnut boughs.

If you want to really experience rural Moroccan mountain life, spend a night at the home of Said, who grew up in this small village in the Ijoukak Valley and has opened up his family home for visitors. Enjoy hikes in the village, get hands-on in the kitchen, or lie back and relax in the mountain solitude. Breakfast is included with all bookings, and other meals---which are delicious---can be arranged as well.

Offering a safe place to sleep for trekkers, skiers, and summer ramblers alike, this very simple and basic dormitory-style accommodation is clean and well run. Most often the guests are here to experience shared pleasures, like the clean mountain air, the alpine scenery, and the ski slopes. You can book guides here and also have meals prepared. There is a large kitchen available should you wish to cook for yourself or a group.

This simple, authentic hotel and café is on the main square of Imlil, and is a big hit with backpackers and trekkers. Rooms and tables are often taken, not least of all due to the central location, opposite the tour guide's office. Rooms are sparse but clean, with a whiff of incense. This was one of the first establishments built in Imlil, dating back to the early 1970s: the famous floods of 1995 washed half of the building away. Rest easy: it is now completely rebuilt. The staff is very helpful and will do their best to put guests in touch with guides, muleteers, and equipment outfitters.

With a fabulous garden, friendly hosts, hot showers, and comfortable beds, this family-owned hotel is one of the most charming choices in the area. This is a wonderful place to rest during a hiking trip, or just to spend a couple of days relaxing. It may not be fancy, but it is clean and comfortable; the garden is nothing short of idyllic. The homemade food is satisfying after a hard day on the trails. They also arrange many hiking circuits around the area, which should be booked in advance. 

Set over a series of terraces leading down to the lake, this elegantly refurbished hotel is both relaxing and friendly. Follow a series of passages and step through the blossoming gardens, which enfold a couple of pools that are great for very hot days. The lower decks boast a fabulous boat-shape bar, the namesake of the whole place (flouka means boat in Arabic). Rooms and suites are decorated with stylish, natural tones, and combine local artisanal touches with Art Deco and sub-Saharan embellishments. The dining areas surround the outdoor bar right at the lake’s edge and the menu is very French.

At this haven of beautifully designed spaces, materials, and colors designed by a former architect, one of the highlights is the panoramic roof terrace. The decor is a blend of innovative styles, with many fine pieces (such as the ornately carved doors) salvaged from the scrap yards of Marrakesh. In winter, when the mountain air nips at your fingers, the rooms' fireplaces are welcome; in summer, the riad structure keeps the rooms cool.

This fantastic lodge occupies a prize position in the valley's deepest village, atop a hill with an unbeatable vantage point. All rooms have en suite bathrooms and there’s a traditional hammam available on advance request. The living room in the center of the house has a fireplace and a wood-burning stove, so you’ll be warm in winter. The food is traditional and fresh, using local ingredients supplied in abundance by the valley. You can take cooking lessons, learning the secrets of Amazigh recipes like marinades, spice blends, and couscous.