27 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 luxurious retreat is a delightful example of how to build a near-perfect romantic getaway that's also eco-friendly. The hotel is perched on an outcrop overlooking a national park that staff fondly refer to as "Arizona" though its real name is Isk-N-Tanoumiri National Park. Inhale the lavender-scented gardens and take a moment to marvel at the fully organic herb and vegetable beds, the two pools, the terraces and arbors (hung with vines and roses), and a lawn any Englishman would die for. What is so extraordinary about this refuge (just a short journey from Marrakesh) is that it looks as if it has occupied its lofty position for generations, when in fact, it was built from scratch only a few years ago. All water is recycled, much of the power is solar (although Bab Ourika has its own generator), beauty products are supplied by nearby Nectarome, and salt comes from the mines below. The hotel also contributes to the local villages and is one of the most eco-friendly hotels in Morocco; it's constructed principally from rammed earth, the traditional Amazigh building technique. The thick walls provide such good insulation that air-conditioning is unnecessary, but each room has a fan in case you get too warm.

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! 

If you want to wake up to breathtaking views of Morocco's most famous waterfalls, Hôtel Borj des Cascades is your best bet in Ouzoud. The property's terrace, two pools, and several of its rooms overlook the massive falls and are surrounded by lush olive and almond trees. Hotel guests are also able to start their trek to and from the falls via a direct private pathway leading to the coveted landscape.

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.

Thank your stars that the short trek to this stunning yet simple kasbah keeps some guests away, so you can gaze over the snowcapped Atlas peaks in peace. Dinner or a drink (nonalcoholic) in the glass-fronted cabin, which crowns the kasbah, presents a glorious sense of being on top of the world. Just as liberating is the simplicity of the decor of this fully restored mountain stronghold. Food is served in a number of locations on the premises, so take your pick. All is prepared in-house, from tangy salads to rich tagines. The staff is focused, friendly, and knowledgeable about the local area. The manager will gladly tell of the hotel's initiatives to contribute to the local community, with impressive social programs. But the best-kept secret is the 10-minute climb to the ecolodge that must be done on the back of a pack-mule (there's a reception office in Imlil's center; expect to pay 60 DH for the transfer, plus a small tip).

Widiane Resort is ideal for travelers who like to stay active on their vacation and truly make the most of their surroundings. It boasts two panoramic pools overlooking the Atlas Mountains; guests who want to venture farther can book kayaking and Jet Skiing trips on the gorgeous Lake Bin el Ouidane. You can also opt for a guided hike or private yoga session if you want to stay on land. Unwind at the end of the day by ordering a cocktail to sip as you watch eagles soaring through the sky.

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.

Spread over 60 acres of glorious gardens, with centuries-old olive trees, orchards, and magnificent roses, La Roseraie is the creation of one of the earliest pioneers of Morocco's hospitality industry. It is a place to relax and revive, thanks to the crisscross paths that end in views of the Toubkal range and of the famous Aoudad sheep calmly grazing below. The three pools are a welcome luxury, as is the chance to watch the sunset behind the peaks from the open-air Jacuzzi.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

This plush ecolodge is hidden in the lush plains beneath the Atlas through which the Route de l’Ourika runs. It’s built from pise (rammed clay), with flecks of straw visible in the baked earthen walls. Rooms and suites are very comfortable, furnished in line with local style—think handmade straw rugs, rustic wooden shutters and doors, iron furniture, and whitewashed walls. The gardens are an ambush of roses with some elegant olive and palm trees punctuating the lawn, while the views of the Atlas overhead are just blissful. With a firm eco-ethic in hand, the staff offers a range of dishes based on locally sourced ingredients. Quaryati insists on a commitment to ecotourism, notably through ethical water use and treatment, energy consumption, and consideration of the local economy.

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.