7 Best Hotels in High Atlas, Morocco

Not far from the lake, this paradisiacal farm and guesthouse hides out behind the dusty, unassuming village of Makhfamane. Rooms and suites are scattered through the grounds, which are a veritable explosion of fruit trees, vines, vegetable patches, and aromatics. Accommodations are in keeping with this nature theme: natural colors, fabrics, and materials combine to create supreme comfort without the sense of extravagance. The guesthouse menu is created entirely from the farm’s pesticide-free bounty; the homemade fresh cheeses are unparalleled. Instead of a chlorine pool, owners Robert and Carole have created a kind of basin that is filled daily and then used to water the gardens at night. There is a host of animals kept on the farm, too, including pigs, a rarity in these parts. There's also a boutique that sells homemade cheeses, along with syrups, oils, and other local specialties.

This grand Kasbah stands proudly atop a hill offering jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountain slopes, including Mt. Angour to the south. Due to the way it's cleverly built in accordance with local techniques, all rooms get excellent views. Rooms and suites are smart, very comfortable, and decorated with Moroccan touches like carved wood cupboards and tadelakt bathroom walls. Service is warm and efficient. The British owner, Paul, is very knowledgeable about the region and its topography and is therefore an excellent source of travel ideas and regional geography. The food is mostly Moroccan and there's a licensed bar.

This family home in an old kasbah has been converted to a bed-and-breakfast and it has a rooftop terrace with fabulous views of the High Atlas Mountains. With only three rooms available you'll receive personalized attention from Lahoucine the owner. 

This is a quirky and charming place to stay, eat, relax, and rejuvenate. Each of the traditionally decorated rooms and suites has a fireplace while the two Berber tents are fitted out with showers and toilets. The pool is decked in tadelakt and there are several cozy communal areas with all kinds of books and music for guests to borrow. The food is delicious, inventive, and simple, using seasonal and local ingredients—part of the strong commitment to ecology here. The spa offers a fabulous hammam, a giant double bath, and massages.

Within this traditional kasbah, you can choose from spacious rooms or bungalows dotted around a pool and beautiful gardens. The kasbah was built using baked earth bricks (and some cement) for the thick walls, resulting in a flawless and peaceful retreat that's cool in the summer and cozy in the winter. Rooms are adorned with local carpets and ornaments, and the walls are spread with tadlak (a smooth, waterproof building material popular in Morocco). The garden is decked with bright flowers and trailing plants, and the vibe is relaxed.

This homely guesthouse is only a 20-minute drive from the center of Marrakesh, yet couldn't be more of a contrast. Enveloped in a patchwork of burgeoning gardens, it's a haven for the birds, bees, and humans too. With just seven rooms and suites, comfy living areas, a decent pool, and a friendly staff, it's a congenial place. Children will love feeding rabbits and talking to the sad old donkey; everyone else will love the giant roses, big as artichokes, the countless varieties of fruit trees, and the birdsong at sundown.