3 Best Hotels in Agdz, The Great Oasis Valleys

This handsome eco-lodge is constructed in the typical mud-built style, tastefully mixing African and Moroccan decorative elements and equipped with modern showers and reversible air-conditioning—all of which are solar powered (though somewhat dark). Other environmentally friendly details include natural soaps in the bathrooms and toilets with a water-saving flush option (this is the desert after all). In addition to a pool, the property has a shaded pergola salon and meandering gardens. Meals, which make use of locally grown organic produce, are available for a fixed rate; no alcohol is served, but guests may bring their own. Guided excursions by foot, donkey, camel, or car are also available.

Enter this warm and intimate guesthouse on the outskirts of Agdz through two Amazigh doors that lead into a courtyard with a swimming pool and the sound of birdsong. Rooms are simple with an elegant, local design and overlook the pool. A three-course prix-fixe dinner is an excellent value; don't miss the cinnamon-infused milk pudding. Tours of the palmery and the local kasbah can be organized by the hotel.

The aptly named "House of Peace" is tucked away in the palm groves outside Agdz. Built using traditional methods, this 21st-century kasbah is an art-lover's paradise: vivid abstract paintings decorate the walls, eclectic music wafts through the air, and tasteful furnishings lend rooms a genuine Moroccan vibe. The gardens are a delight as well, with aromatic herbs, fruit trees, cool lawns, and shaded seating areas around a swimming pool. There's even a pet donkey if you fancy exploring like a local. You could lose yourself here for a few days just listening to the birdsong and hiking in the Drâa Valley. Guests can order an excellent dinner for 270 DH.