Kasbah Tamadot is still a hotel owned by Richard Branson. Located an hour from Marrakech, Morocco, the hotel was purchased in 1998. 100 locals work in this hotel. They are taught the English language and have followed special training to render a high quality service.
At the hotel
Spa, gym, farm, landscaped gardens, heated mountain-view infinity pool, heated indoor pool, sauna, hammam, floodlit tennis courts, book-filled salon with internet access, log fire, TV/DVD, gift shop, many excursions, including trekking and horse riding.
Our favourite rooms
The Aman room (deluxe suite with pool) is a wonderful place to have breakfast outside. The Tazart Room has a carved wood ceiling and stunning green bathroom. The Jacaranda room also has a ceiling worth ogling and beautiful terrace. The Master Suite is the ‘mini Kasbah’, occupying two floors. All rooms have a smattering of antiques Branson inherited from the former owner Luciano Tempo, a well-renowned antiques dealer.
Poolside
After you're guided through the Kasbah's meandering entranceway, the pool reveals itself in spectacular fashion. A brilliant blue rectangle sunk into a small valley, it's set so swimmers can gaze up at the Atlas beyond. Sunloungers line the sides and staff are on the ball with drinks and snacks, if desired. If there's a slight nip in the air, enjoy lazy laps in the heated indoor pool.
Spa
The four-room Asonfou Spa offers treatments from wraps and facials to massages and hammam treatments. There are also Watsu pools, mud rooms and hot springs to soothe aching muscles. We like the damask rose-infused facial and the headily scented Le Sens de Marrakech products.
Hotel restaurant
Kanoun restaurant has two terraces to choose from, one by the pool and one on the rooftop. Food – whipped up by chef Benoit Pépin and his team – is a mix of sophisticated Moroccan, African and international offerings, and there’s an impressive wine list.
Hotel bar
There is a pool bar and a fireside bar in the Kanoun restaurant. The Asmoun lounge is a souped-up Berber tent on the inside, with colourful textiles and rugs, and souk-sourced lanterns, and the less-traditional addition of a bar and a few stools. Its terrace, naturally, comes with views of the Atlas' most eyecatching high-rises. Alternatively, hit the roof: the terrace offers the best bird's eye aspect of your surroundings. Champagne, local and international wines and a tempting range of cocktails can be
Worth getting out of bed for
The hotel will happily keep you busy, offering guests the chance to try mule trekking, hiking, mountain biking, guided tours of Marrakech, market trips, visits to local workshops and other activities. In between all that, get acquianted with the hotel's fluffier residents: four mules, three donkeys, several rambunctious goats and the two camels who live on the estate's bijou farm.
Local restaurants
There's not much choice in the mountains, unless you befriend a nearby Berber family, who may well be happy to feed you. For ease, and because the food is extremely tasty, we recommend going half- or full-board at the Kasbah.