Berber Lodge - Oumnas (Morocco)

In Marrakech and in need of some change of scenery? Look no further: the magical Berber Lodge is where you want to be. An authentic Moroccan countryside lodge surrounded by ancient olive groves and fresh mountain air - and with the stunning Haute Atlas all around.

the crowds

Nothing on the dusty gravel road to the tiny Berber village of Oumnas gives away that you are about to arrive at of the most beautiful lodges outside of Marrakech. Perhaps even in all of Morocco. It’s the type of lodge that has been around for a few years, but still flies under the radar - the type of place you get recommended to through well-traveled friends of friends, or via unusual travel blogs (you're welcome ;-).
Chances are real that you’ll share your stay at the Berber Lodge with French jetset or stylish families - the type that sleep at El Fenn or La Sultana down in Marrakech - but trust us: at the Berber Lodge you won't notice it. Here it is all about the simple life. Magical and unpretentious.

the bedrooms

The lodge is designed by the French-Swiss architect Romain Michele-Meniere. He wanted to create an authentic destination with the Berber Lodge, with influences from the Berbers and set up as a traditional Kasbah (village). Together with Studio KO (who were also involved in the YSL museum in Marrakech) this ‘rural retreat’ was set up . Its nine rooms and suites, ranging from 40 to 60 m2, are surrounded by an ancient olive grove and giant agaves. All structures are build out of terracotta and finished with smooth tadelakt - the same technique the Berbers have been using for centuries. Roofs of palm and eucalyptus wood and thick walls that keep the heat in during winter and provide natural cooling in summer. The decor is somewhere between traditional Moroccan and chic - with thick Berber rugs, rattan furniture and a cosy fireplace in some of the rooms. In addition, all rooms have sweeping views of the Atlas Mountains.

The Berber Lodge boasts a good restaurant, an oh-so photogenic living room and a large garden with orange trees and a swimming pool - the perfect place to cool off in the sweltering summer heat. If you’re not a hotel guest and the lodge is not fully booked, you can book for lunch at the restaurant and then spend the afternoon at the lodge. Reservation required.

Berber Lodge, rooms starting from EUR 195 per night.