Morocco Caravan – Never a Moroccan Caravan visit goes by without multiple new hotel site inspections. Morocco has become one of the hottest destinations with our clients and the world!

I love visiting the Sahara, it isn’t an easy to get to destination, hours of car time, interspersed with a few historic stops. We advise clients, it can be a 7+ hour trek, always worth it, but daunting! Some suggest a stop in Ouarzazate, the film capital in Morocco, since many of our clients are Californians and visited the LA film studios, in my humble opinion, I see no reason to stop here, the hotels are uninspired…no no no! We crave experiences, not a sleep over in a dull location!

In the high Atlas, the Dades region is dotted with deep green canyons of lofty palm trees, I always exclaim to Mustapha: Why isn’t there a five-star hotel here for me??  It’s a spectacular area and I’ve wanted to explore it for years; my prayers have been answered! It’s remote, two hours northeast of Ouarzazate on the ancient route from the Sahara to the oasis of Tafilalt.

I was pleasantly surprised to uncover a magnificent new property, Eden Boutique Hotel. Elegant and comfortable with meticulous attention to detail in the suites, the gardens and the striking public spaces at the first 5-star hotel in the Dades region.

Set in the lush green Dades Valley, across from a curious looking mountain range, Monkey Fingers. Delightful terraced gardens on each level lead to private courtyards with views of the Monkey Fingers rock formations. This is the perfect stopping point on your Journey to the Sahara. Enjoy a sunset cocktail from the rooftop bar.

There are 18 palatial rooms with views across the gorge to the mountains, or over a desert garden created by the French landscape architect Guillaume Berthier. The rooms and suites combine luxury with authentic décor providing comfortable Moroccan hospitality. Indulge in modern comforts with traditional Moroccan charm, all with spectacular mountain views! Like the ancient mud and straw kasbah’s, the property emerges out of the rocky hillside, expansive terraces and stone towers provide exquisite views from every corner.

Amazigh culture is celebrated in every room, with enormous black and white photos of local people and landscapes. The art is a collectors dream. On arrival, we sipped tea in the library, a room with a visual treat in every corner, pounded metal ornate lampshades, groaning bookshelves, a fireplace for cool days, truly a cultural immersion. The surface of the Moroccan tadelakht plaster is artfully decorated with striking symbolic carvings.

Family owned by hospitality veterans Lahcen and Ismail Sabiri, built with love by talented locals, from nearby communities. The family had a lifelong ambition to open a hotel that would bring jobs and pride to the villagers.

Hotel Eden is about a two-hour drive from Ouarzazate up into the Dades Valley, in a small roadside village called Tamellalt. The property looks out across the valley at the Monkey Fingers, a curious looking rock formation that bulges out of the rugged hills. Monkey Fingers is a scenic trek in an area known for its unique rock formations that resemble the fingers of a monkey’s hand. An added day could be spent hiking the rock formations.

There’s a pool, a spa and delicious dining: an artistic, Moroccan-fusion five-course set menu that changes daily. Head chef Mohammed, one of the Sabiri brothers, crafts sophisticated daily menus for lunch and dinner in the hotel restaurant, fusing Moroccan staples with international dishes with seasonal produce, some of which is grown in the hotel’s own sustainable organic garden. Dinner is five courses, served in the subdued dining room enhanced by the low lighting of the hammered brass chandeliers. The hotel’s hammam spa provides an authentic Moroccan wellness experience, offering traditional treatments alongside beauty services for women and luxury grooming for men.

Create your own traditional Moroccan or fusion dishes. The gifted head chef Mohamed, is always developing his dishes, with a focus Moroccan spices and flavors. Classes take place from 12-3 pm or from 3-6 pm. Please note that cookery lessons must be booked one day in advance.

We enjoyed a leisurely  immense breakfast served in the gorgeous garden, lavished with homemade jams, honey, freshly baked breads, creamy fresh egg omelets, and delicate Moroccan pancakes. Wine cave through a rock cavern features local wines and bites.

My only complaint: we should have arrived earlier and stayed an extra day to explore the spa and the Monkey Fingers!

Highly Recommend!