2 Best Hotels in High Atlas, Morocco

Should Hollywood set-makers get to work on a superdeluxe Moroccan mountain retreat, they might come up with something like this; this former villa of a prominent Italian art collector was even restored by Richard Branson himself. Every inch is a decadent destination of choice: from the gorgeous pool to the luxury "Berber" tents (complete with air-conditioning and mesmerizing views). Test the magic of the ambience by sipping a glass of wine while drinking in the view of the river Issktan from the Kasbah's plant-filled terraces. Be warned: this establishment is something of a destination in itself, with many guests hardly venturing beyond the thick walls. If you balk at the price tag, remember that the Kasbah does much to support the local community from which it hires its staff.

This ultraluxe retreat is the creation of Italian aristocrat Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa, who sold his previous hotel—the iconic La Maison Arabe in Marrakesh—to enjoy a slower-paced life in the Atlas Mountains. Olinto is comprised of just nine pavilions across 10 acres of olive trees, which ensures that guests always feel at peace regardless of whether the hotel is full. It also has a stunning pool and a Moroccan–Mediterranean restaurant that uses the fresh herbs and vegetables grown in the property gardens. Prices are high, but the service is impeccable, which can be harder to find in rural areas like the Ouirgane valley.