Kasbah du Toubkal

Style

Berber castle retreat

Setting

High in the High Atlas

High above sea level, the Kasbah du Toubkal looks out over three major valleys carved from majestic rocky mountains rising to over 4,000 metres. Near the foot of the highest peak in North Africa, it's only 40 miles from Marrakech, but the peace and quiet and seclusion are so complete the city seems a million miles away.

Facilities

Rooms

18, including a house with three ensuite double rooms.

Checkout

10am, but you may be able to stay later if availability permits. Check-in: 2pm. The hotel's off-site reception in Imlil village is staffed 9am–5pm; out of hours, call +212 (0)524 48 56 11 or +212(0)6 61 91 85 98.

More Details

Rates include breakfast. Two-night minimum stay. All bills incur a five per cent charge that benefits Village Association community projects.

Also

Unfortunately, this rural retreat isn't suitable if you have limited mobility.

Free Internet Access

Pet Friendly

On-Site Restaurant

Spa

At the Hotel

Traditional Berber-style hammam, with a cauldron of piping water.

Our Favourite Rooms

The Garden Apartment, the Ifri suite, has its own lounge, terrace and balcony. The garden house has a 12-metre glass wall and a balcony looking up to the waterfalls and High Atlas mountains. All other accommodation is comfortable, but more basic.

Poolside

An oval infinity pool is a turquoise jewel at the hotel's edge with captivating views that roll all the way to the mountains.

Packing Tips

Your trustiest walking boots.

Also

Guided treks can be arranged, starting at €40 for a half day.

Children

Families will have fun taking over the Garden House as it has three rooms which link together. Extra beds for children under 16 can be added on request to some rooms for a nightly charge of £53.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

The top terrace in summer; snuggled up by the fire in winter.

Hotel Restaurant

Food is very simple Moroccan cuisine, with a lunchtime set menu for €25, and €30 at dinner.

Hotel Bar

Out of respect for Berber tradition, no alcohol is served on the premises, but you can bring your own with you so long as you’re happy to pour yourselves.

Last Orders

Lunch, 1.30pm; dinner, 8.30pm.

Room Service

No room service except in the Garden House or Apartment Suite, but mint tea, coffee and soft drinks are available throughout the day.

Planes

The nearest airport is Marrakech’s Menara Airport; transfers take around 90 minutes and cost €90 each way.

Automobiles

Driving in Morocco can be daunting, but it's easier outside of the congested cities. Pick up a hire car at the airport. From Marrakech, follow the road signposted to Tahannaoute and Asni for about 42km until you reach Asni. As you leave Asni take the turning on the left, continuing for 17km until you arrive at Imlil where you can park up in the car park with a guardian in the centre of Imlil near to the gendarmerie which costs €5 per night. The hotel’s remote reception is 20m further along the road. It's staffed between 9am and 5pm, but out of hours you’ll need to call +212 0)524 485611 to arrange for someone to meet you. It's a 15-minute walk up the hill (but your luggage will be carried by a trusty mule).

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

The Toubkal Lodge in the Azzaden Valley allows guests of the Kasbah to stay overnight up the mountain without camping or staying with locals (though that can be a terrific if not conventionally romantic experience). AThe lodge is built in the architectural style of the surrounding villages and located in the village of Id-Issa. With underfloor heating, four ensuite rooms, and spectacular views from the terrace and the lounge, which has a wood-burning stove, this is a very comfortable way to enjoy the Atlas Mountains. The usual thing is to trek to the lodge and trek out. To book the whole lodge costs €890 a night half board, or €255 per room. A full day's trekking to get there or back again, including a Berber team with a registered guide, and cook/muleteer to make your picnic lunch, is €90 a person.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .