Moroccan Countryside Resorts

Many of the mud walled fortresses of the Moroccan countryside have seen better days and most are in varying states of disrepair and neglect. These weary countryside fortresses are now being turned into affordable luxury hotels. The hotels are commonly known as the Casbah hotels and many of them are located in the desert just beyond Marrakesh. The lands were once owned by the Berber Chieftains and some are still owned by many families. Most people never really get a chance to take pleasure in the Berber Moroccan countryside because it was, for a long time, a well guarded secret of the Moroccan and European upper class. Now the lands are being discovered by well seasoned travelers from all around the world.

You can have tea in the desert or drop into a Hamman during the middle of the day and have dinner and drinks under the stars. The hilly Moroccan countryside doesn't look like it is the best place to vacation and it seems even odder to find a luxury resort in the middle of it all. One of the best kept secrets of Morocco is the Casbah hotels just beyond Marrakesh. These destinations are some of the most relaxing and serene places that you can go to in the world. You will be surprised at how affordable some of the stays are, even with fully catered service. Check out these four moderately priced Moroccan Casbah hotels and see what you are missing.

Dar Ahlam - Village of Skoura
You take a caravan up a twisting road up the Atlas Mountains to the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and then down to the red top mountains and past Berber villages to reach Dar Ahlam. Dar Ahlam is 30 miles from Quarzazate just outside the town of Skoura. Dar Ahlam actually means the House of Dreams and it was built in 1920 but was just recently restored to its prior glory. The traditional Moroccan mud wall style was repeated throughout the entire hotel and there is also an outdoor arbor.