Around one hour’s drive from Marrakech, through mountain passes and winding dirt tracks, and just when you think you might be lost, is the sign for the Kasbah Bab Ourika.
Situated at the foothills of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, the views from Kasbah Bab Ourika will take your breath away and continue to surprise you throughout your stay as the light reveals snow-capped mountains in the morning and the red glow of Toubkal National Park at dusk.
The Kasbah first opened its doors in 2008 – an oasis offering guests a uniquely luxurious mountain experience within easy reach of Marrakech.
Its popularity has endured and grown over the years, and The Retreat at Kasbah Bab Ourika was opened in autumn 2020. A lockdown project of owners Stephen and Beatriz, The Retreat still feels like a very new addition due to pandemic restrictions having all but stopped tourism in Morocco over the past two years.
The Retreat is a self-contained villa separated from the main Kasbah with eleven en-suite rooms and the same uninterrupted views over the mountains. As the name suggests, it’s a place designed to disconnect, recharge and indulge.
If you can tear your eyes away from the landscape for a second, the view inside The Retreat is almost as aesthetically pleasing. Designed by Beatriz’s own design company, Mint Tea Lovers, the interior reflects the owners’ passion for design, traditional Berber materials and vintage furniture, and each room has its unique style and personality.
The use of earthy colours and natural materials creates an outside-in effect, always keeping that incredible view as the main event. And the Retreat is designed to be comfortable year-round: it’s a sun trap during the day with cooling systems for summer, and fireplaces and underfloor heating throughout the communal areas keep things cosy after dark and in cooler months.
We stayed in a double room on the ground floor with direct access to the grounds and pool through full-length sliding doors. The rooms are a simple and stylish place to shield from the midday sun, with high-quality materials and furnishings throughout. Like the rest of The Retreat, the rooms are designed to keep the focal point on the outside space, even in the bathroom where the mirrors reflect the mountains beyond.
The bathroom contains a full-sized rain shower and attention to detail means you’ll have everything you need, from robes to products using the finest local ingredients.
It’s clear that you’ll want to spend the majority of your time at Kasbah Bab Ourika outside, but the rooms make for a perfectly comfortable and elegant alternative.
The clear motive of The Retreat is to relax and enjoy, and great effort has been made to make that promise a reality. Chef Mohamed Chouchala and his team take pride in creating a changing menu of fine and balanced dishes for guests to choose from. Breakfast contains a range of cooked and continental options, lunch is buffet-style with a large variety of meat and vegetarian choices, and dinner is a made-to-order menu of fresh local produce, combining Moroccan and international flavours.
During our stay, the menu included several different types of tagine, beetroot soup, Asian-inspired dishes, and desserts bringing to the fore local ingredients like almonds and lemon.
The drinks list spotlights wines from Moroccan vineyards (we recommend the rosé) and local beers, as well as international names.
The unique setting is such that The Retreat is also a popular lunch stop for passing tourists to enjoy the view for an afternoon, even if not staying the night.
We’d also recommend investigating the onsite spa (located at the main Kasbah) where guests can choose from a wide range of treatments and therapies. And for those feeling more adventurous, the Kasbah team also offers day trips and excursions ranging from guided hikes to camel trekking in the nearby hills.
It’s also fine to while away your days with a book by the pool or taking a walk in surrounding environment. There is no judgement at The Retreat – you’re free to do whatever you feel like and the team is on hand to help you make it happen.
The Kasbah Bab Ourika looks to be even more impressive in the near future as building work has already begun on a new private villa area separate to the main house. The main Kasbah and Retreat can also be booked for exclusive group use and weddings, and there’s already a private villa with infinity pool available to book.
The Retreat at Kasbah Bab Ourika has to be seen to be believed. It provides a sanctuary to experience true Moroccan hospitality in total comfort. Everything is high quality – from the design to the ingredients on the menu – and its team provides a first-class service experience that will make you want to stay, or at least come back soon for a return visit.
And did we mention the view?
See it to believe it:
Book now – we stayed in a superior mountain view room priced from 150EUR per night (low season)
Both The Retreat and the main Kasbah Bab Ourika can be booked for events or exclusive use.
A full cooked and continental breakfast is included with room bookings
Lunch is buffet-style and priced at 30 euros
Dinner is a la carte and made-to-order
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