Dar Ahlam “house of dreams’ near Skoura, Morocco. A hotel of fables and fanciful experiences. We walked through the dusty paths of the local village from Dar Ahlam to their newest Kasbah; the older Kasbah was destroyed in the earthquake. Although I missed the braying of the sheep and goats in their downstairs pens, the new Kasbah is a stunning replacement – with proper steps, in place of ancient wood ladders.
I was drawn by the scent, the fragrance of sweet pure wax to a delicious room that is completely walled in beeswax petals. The room smells extraordinary – like being inside a honeycomb of a beehive. A “room filled with stillness and creation,” where flowers are “transformed” into memory. It is a work that “extends time”.
This artistic endeavor is part of the hotel’s mission to offer guests a unique and poetic experience that immerses guests in local culture and heritage. At Dar Ahlam, art is not confined to a traditional gallery. It is integrated into the daily experience, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere for guests.
The wax room conjured memories of my Catholic upbringing and High Mass, beeswax candles symbolize purity and are a common part of worship. Often mixed with the fragrance of incense, typically frankincense; the smell of church, a scent steeped in centuries old traditions. Although, I don’t practice religion, I am drawn to cathedrals and I still light wax candles and whisper to my grandparents and parents. If there is a heaven, they know I haven’t forgotten them.
The Food Lab: Guided by artist and beekeeper Olivier Darné, the “Food Lab” is a living, evolving art space in the hotel’s garden. It doubles as a farm where traditional techniques are used to grow vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants. The dishes served to their guests are inspired daily by a library of local flavors, mostly plant-based and, for the most part, grown right in the heart of the palm grove.
But today, Skoura faces a major climate challenge: a lack of water for crops. In response, they’ve deepened their commitment with the creation of a Food Lab, just a 10-minute walk from the main Kasbah.
This 2,000 meter plot is divided into around thirty sections for vegetables, aromatic herbs, and medicinal plants. Rooted in traditional farming techniques, they work hand in hand with local oasis farmers to explore methods better suited to drought conditions, helping ease the burden on local communities.
Guided by Olivier Darné, artist, beekeeper, and founder of the Parti Poétique collective, the Food Lab also carries an artistic mission: a living, evolving space where art is accessible and inspiring for all.
Highly Recommend – Dar Ahlam, Skoura
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