Useful Tricks

Always, always ask for a room facing the swimming pool/interior garden. These are both shielded from the noise of the main highway and offer a pleasant balcony view over palm trees and Kasbah architecture.Do not buy rose water from the hotel gift shop. Walk out to the local cooperatives on the main street. Look for shops marked “Coopérative” to make sure you get real distilled rose water (check that it is ‘cosmetic’ or ‘culinary’ grade) and support local women.This region gets very cold at night in winter (December-February), due to its proximity to the Atlas Mountains. The hotel has heating (normally reversible AC) but it takes time to heat up large stone rooms. Wear warm pajamas and ask for extra blankets as soon as you check in. Visit the Old Kasbah: While the hotel looks like a kasbah, the real ruins are not far away. Have someone at reception point out the trail to the abandoned mud-brick kasbahs in the river valley behind town for a fascinating morning hike. Breakfast on the Terrace: If it’s warm, have breakfast outside on the terrace by the pool. The sun up in this part of Dades over the valley is crisp and beautiful-a memorable way to start a day.