Hotel, Morocco, Travel blog

2 days at Kasbah Tamadot, a luxury resort in the Atlas Mountains

Pool Kasbat Tamadot Virgin resort Morocco

In this blog you will find my review about my 2 days at Kasbah Tamadot, awarded the most Luxurious resort in North Africa and the Middle East in 2020, by  Travel + Leisure World’s magazine.

Luxury resort near Marrakech in the Atlas Mountains

Kasbah Tamadot is ideally situated only 1,5 hour away from the buzzling city of Marrakech in the Ouirgane Valley in the Atlas mountains. It is the perfect place to relax after a few days visiting the city but also the perfect place to visit the nearby authentic berber villages and the unique landscape that offers the Atlas mountains.

Atlas mountains village Atlas Mountains Morocco

When I first came to the Atlas Mountains in 2018, to do a trek, our guide told us about Kasbah Tamadot and it’s owner, who does so much effort in helping the communities in the villages in the Atlas Mountains. The person he talked about was Sir Richard Brandson.

A Virgin Limited resort by Sir Richard Brandson

I remember as a kid growing up in Paris, my favourite store was the Virgin megastore on the Champs Elysées in Paris. I loved to go there to listen to the newest songs. There were of course more music stores in Paris but this one just seemed to be the coolest. Later on, I heard about Virgin Airlines, which I think was equally cool so I started to be interested in the founder, Sir Richard Branson, and ended up buying his biography, “Losing my virginity” that tells his ups and downs. Fascinating. Therefore, I was so curious since 2018, to one day visit Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco. This day has finally came in 2020 while I was visiting Morocco for personal reasons.

As expected, Kasbah Tamadot did not disappoint. From the situation, the design and of course the wonderful hospitality.

A stunning luxury resort in Morocco

Kasbah Tamadot is nestled in the Middle of the Atlas Mountains and has beautiful views over the nearby villages. It has 27 accommodation. We stayed in a Berber-style suite-tent with mountain-view. The room was very spacious decorated in berbere style and had a huge terrasse facing the mountains with an outdoor Jacuzzi that was definitely a highlight of this trip. The resorts also offers two beautiful heated outdoor pool as well as an indoor pool and a spa. Two tennis cours and beautiful gardens enhanced by Artwork to take a stroll.

Tented suite Review Kasbat Tamadot Virgin resort Morocco

For those wanting to discover the area and the Berber culture, do not miss to book the “Authentically Berber Experience” proposed at the resort that includes:

▪    One-hour Mule Trek
▪    Tea in a local Berber House
▪    One-hour Berber cooking lesson
▪    Berber bread baking
▪    A visit to the Eve Branson Foundation

Food at Kasbah Tamadot

What is a trip to Morocco without tasting the it’s amazing cuisine?! From breakfast to dinner you will be able to taste the most famous Moroccan dishes.

If you are from Morocco, you can book a lunch at the resort at a special price. This is part of the reopening after corona, so do not hesitate to take advantage of it. A perfect day trip!

Kasbah Tamadot, an ethical resort

As mentionned above, Kasbah Tamdaot and it’s owner, sir Richard Brandson have very good reputationin Morocco. Indeed, foreign investments can be quite controversial, but Virgin Limited make everything possible to give back to the community. At Kasbah Tamadot, there is an effort in offering employment to the locals as 98% of Kasbah Tamadot’s 140 members of staff are from the local areas but also to support other projects from the Eve Branson Foundation by using the revenue from Kasbah Tamadot’s gift shop.

Also, Virgin Limited promotes that promote educational enrichment, and better healthcare for the women and young people in the Berber communities that surround Kasbah Tamadot.

Beside this, there is a real effort of protecting the environment by “using solar panels on the roof of the car park to heat the main swimming pool, and growing seasonal produce on-site to serve in the Kanoun Restaurant” or recycling water.
Review Kasbah Tamadot Virgin resort Morocco 1

Spa at Kasbah Tamadot

Unfortunately we could not try the Asonfou Spa but they offer treatments from wraps and facials to massages and hammam treatments.