Nestled in the heart of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, about an hour's drive from Marrakesh, Kasbah Tamadot is a spectacular retreat that marries modern luxury and traditional Moroccan hospitality. The kasbah was renovated in the late 1990s by Sir Richard Branson, who discovered it during a hot air balloon adventure over Morocco. It's named ‘Tamadot’ after the Amazigh word for 'soft breeze', encompassing the fresh mountain air with the tranquil atmosphere guests enjoy during their stay.
The property is decorated with treasures from the collection of the previous owner, the Italian interior designer and antiques dealer, Luciano Tempo, from tables and sculptures to ornaments from across Asia and North Africa. Its architecture and exquisite decor matches the striking mountain backdrop you can enjoy wherever you are on the property. Among its sprawling grounds, you'll find swimming pools, tennis courts and a spa, as well as open-sided tents providing shaded relaxation. You can also dine alfresco at Kanoun Restaurant, which serves local and international cuisine at lunch and dinner.
During your stay here, you can take guided hikes in the mountains, visit traditional Amazigh villages, learn to cook Moroccan cuisine and, in the summer, enjoy open-air movie nights.
The 28 rooms and suites include ten luxurious Amazigh-inspired tents, some with private plunge pools. All rooms are beautifully decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, with small touches such as antique ornaments, embroidered fabrics and wooden furniture all helping to set the scene.
A beautiful option with views across the Imlil Valley, a fantastic pool and high-quality food and service, this is one of our top recommendations for a stay in the High Atlas Mountains.
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Photos of Kasbah Tamadot
Rooms
Kasbah Tamadot offers 28 rooms spanning seven categories. In the main building there's a mix of superior and deluxe rooms and suites, while within the grounds are ten Amazigh Tents, draped in white canvas, some with private plunge pools. There's also a separate master suite housed in its own building, which comprises three bedrooms, a sun-soaked roof terrace and a private swimming pool. Each room is spacious and individually decorated using Moroccan antiques and ornaments from all over the world. All, including the tents, have an en suite bathroom and a good range of amenities.
Location
The kasbah is located about an hour's drive south of Marrakesh, cradled among the High Atlas Mountains. The views you have from anywhere on the property are what sets it apart, with mountains sloping one in front of the other and shadowed peaks rising in the distance. You're close to many hiking trails and small villages that have barely changed in centuries, providing a stark contrast to a stay in Marrakesh.
Food and drink
You can enjoy lunch and dinner at the property's Kanoun Restaurant, though dining is also permitted at the pool patio and bar, or on the rooftop terraces. Breakfast always includes a spread of freshly baked breads and pastries alongside juices and fruit, as well as à la carte specials. Lunch is casual and light, served as guests relax near the pool or in the courtyard. The dinner offerings change from night to night, but the executive chef uses the best, freshest Moroccan ingredients available, and often creates multi-course tasting menus of local fare, or entire Amazigh feasts.
Families
While Kasbah Tamadot remains adults-only the majority of the time, each year the hotel sets aside certain dates for families, and hosts 'Kasbah Kids' activities for children, including visits to the kasbah's mules, a Moroccan treasure hunt, and a local nature walk.
Facilities and activities
Within the grounds of the property you can relax at the spa, which includes a luxurious Moroccan hammam treatment — a traditional cleansing with black Argan soap, a massage and full-body exfoliation. There are also two large tennis courts and a generously sized pool. You could also join Moroccan cooking lessons, and during the summer the kasbah holds open-air cinema nights every Monday and Thursday.
Environmental and social responsibility
Kasbah Tamadot supports the Eve Branson Foundation, founded by Sir Richard Branson’s mother to improve the living standards of the Tamazight communities around Kasbah Tamadot. This is achieved by giving young people the opportunity for skills and traditional crafts training, aiding them in becoming economically independent.
Tour ideas in The Atlas Mountains
Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Kasbah Tamadot as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.
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Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Amanay Home
Atlas Mountains -
Kasbah Angour
Atlas Mountains -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Kasbah Bab Ourika
Atlas Mountains -
Kasbah du Toubkal
Atlas Mountains
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.
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High Atlas Mountains Trek High Atlas Mountains Trek
High Atlas Mountains Trek
Arrive in the village of Tassa Ouirgane, situated near the Toubkal National Park at an altitude of 1,200 m. From here starts the hiking through forests of oaks and juniper trees to Azzaden Valley.
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The Atlas Mountains and nearby places
- Ourika Valley 18 miles away
- Marrakesh 29 miles away
- Oued Mellah 50 miles away
- Ouarzazate 66 miles away
- Taroudant 75 miles away
- The Southern Oases Valleys 83 miles away
- Skoura 85 miles away
- The Draa Valley 114 miles away
- Essaouira 109 miles away
- The Dades Valley 118 miles away