6 Best Hotels in Ouarzazate, The Great Oasis Valleys

Movie stars and magnates tend to stay at Ouarzazate's only five-star hotel when working on location. The pool, the gardens, the public rooms—everything about it is impeccable. The elegantly furnished rooms and bungalows, the personal service, and the level of poolside chic are the best in town. The Moroccan cuisine served on-site is on a par with the hotel's high standards. It has stunning gardens where you can spend a happy half hour lounging under the trees.

Set in the heart of the Palmery amid lush gardens (the owners planted 2,500 different plants), L'Ma Lodge is an exquisite escape from modern life. Rooms are simply decorated using local materials and infused with the owner's considerable sense of style to add the chic factor. There are no TVs or Wi-Fi in the rooms (there is Wi-Fi in the communal areas) as the owners wanted to create the feeling of a haven and place of rest. Adding to the sense of retreat, there is no car noise or pollution, and food is clean, organic, and mostly grown on-site. The lush gardens encourage lingering with hammocks, piles of cushions, and petanque areas around every corner. There are only seven rooms so book early and for a few days for the full effect.

What it lacks in amenities and decor this no-frills hotel more than makes up for in affordability and location near the bus stops in the center of town. Rooms are spacious and clean; some have balconies and you can pay a little extra to have integral a/c and heating. In winter, the staff may also be able to provide you with a small heater. There is plenty of hot water and there are en suite rooms available. While technically a hotel, the property has the feel of an adult hostel. Expect some noise as it is so centrally located.

The most upmarket accommodation in the village, Ksar Ighnda stands on the grounds of an old mud-built ksar—though only the original olive trees remain in the garden near the pool. The hotel has excellent facilities including a hammam and spa, a funkily designed bar (also open to the public), a restaurant, and a huge function room. The rooms and suites all combine traditional features, such as date-palm ceilings and tadelakt walls, with modern Moroccan furnishings.

Between Kelaâ M'Gouna and Boumalne du Dadès, this restored riverside kasbah is an ideal base for exploring both the Valley of Roses and the Dadès Gorge. Rooms are individually decorated with paintings, textiles, masks, and furniture collected by the owners during their years of traveling in West Africa; a Mongolian yurt and bewitching underground cave rooms (hacked from the rocky crags where nomads once lived) offer unique alternatives. Ample outdoor space, a pool, plus a broad range of games and activities give this spot family appeal.

One of the higher-end hotels in the area, Oz Palace has stunning Moroccan architecture, lush gardens, and a large pool. During the day, sunlight streams through rainbow-hued glass windows to give the entire space a magical feel. The polite staff go above and beyond to make you feel at home.