Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Atlas Mountains accommodation near Imlil, Morocco, independent reviews
 Reviewed 10 Jan 2009 by Greig Fitzpatrick |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We stayed a Riad in Marrakesh and this Kasbah in Imlil. After traveling through Africa 3 years ago, I never thought I would find something so similar such a short distance from London. Marrakesh has all the crazyness you would expect from a big city but with an amazing culture and feel that you won't find anywhere in Europe. Imlil was absolutely breathtaking, everywhere you looked was stunning, the accommodation, scenery, mountains, people were all incredible. We arrived on a very cold afternoon, by evening snow was falling and by morning there was 4 inches of snow! The accommodation and staff at both locations were fantastic, beautifully decorated and the most amazing food.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Enjoy the bartering process which is common practice in Morocco, work out the fair price you are happy to pay and work to that, there is no point in trying to get something for nothing. We are lucky to have the luxury of being able to travel to places like this.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Absolutely, in both locations the staff, food and decor was local. Any additional excursions were all provided by locals. If you can fit any old clothes in your luggage, take it for the people in the Imlil village. We managed to take 2 big bags full and they were very much appreciated. Every part of our trip felt like you were immersed and contributing to the local community.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
110%, we will definitely be trying to return in the summer, hopefully for a little longer. Overall a great experience.
| Reviewed 3 Aug 2009 by Gwendolyn Smith | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
A great location immersed in local culture. Friendly, helpful staff who strive to provide an authentic & memorable experience. Dinner on the balcony (under the stars) with other guests was a pleasurable experience. Authentic Moroccan food - delicious.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take good walking boots
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The accommodation tried to minimise impacts on the environment through self sufficiency, use of local products & labour. Management is trying to breakdown barriers to make the village more sustainable in terms of water use and waste minimisation as well as trying to enhance the life of villagers through a variety of projects.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful. Not the typical tourist visit. This destination enabled us to appreciate the traditions of the Berbers as well as village life. The setting was idyllic and very conducive to relaxation.
| Reviewed 3 Oct 2009 by Irene Mitchell | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Riad Samsara is delightful - the door opens on to a haven of tranquillity, in complete contrast with the noise and bustle of the city. A delicious vegetarian dinner was specially prepared for us, and served under the stars in the patio on a table strewn with rose petals. At Douar Samra, we were made very welcome by Mohammed, Rachida and the other staff, and the comfortable house with tea in the pretty garden and cosy dinner by candlelight was wonderful to come back to after walking in the mountains. Rachida is a wonderful cook - the vegetarian food she prepared for us was really special - the envy of the meat-eating guests. We loved walking in the Atlas Mountains and regretted the fact that we didn't allow time to have a go at reaching the Toubkal summit. Maybe that's something for the future, Inshallah!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
In Douar Samra, some rooms have no electricity so a torch is useful to find you way to the candles. Be careful about taking photographs. We took one of the view from our room, and people on a roof below were clearly offended as they thought we were photographing them. On another occasion, dirhams were demanded because we took a picture of a mule. Earplugs might be useful if you're a light sleeper and don't want to be woken by the call to prayer at 4.30 a.m.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
When we were out walking, many local people asked where we were staying and we soon learned that we just needed to say 'Chez Jacqueline' to find that she is very well known and enormously respected in the Imlil community. Everybody said how lucky we were to be staying in her house, and how much she cares about the Berber people. Employment is provided for local people; vegetables come from the Douar's garden; care is taken about water consumption; waste is disposed of responsibly.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
On a negative note, there was an enormous amount of rubbish in the riverbed between our hotel and Imlil. It was as bad as we've seen anywhere, and we were shocked to find a place of such beauty littered with plastic bags, bottles, broken glass, disposable nappies, etc. But overall the holiday was excellent - the Imlil area is a great place for walking, with or without a guide, if you feel energetic. If you don't, you can just watch the Berbers go about their business, harvesting apples and walnuts, doing the washing in mountain streams, driving their mules. Morocco is so close to home, but a different world.
| Reviewed 14 Jul 2009 by Jonathan Taylor | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Very good day walks with an excellent guide (Hassan) arranged by the riad. Other main highlight was the very friendly and welcoming management and staff, and amazing evening meals by candlelight.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
As there are no cash machines in the local town - ensure you bring enough with you - euros or dirhams are both accepted. Also, a small torch is a good idea (looking for matches to light candles in the middle of the night is a distinct challenge!)
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Always difficult to know - but it undoubtedly provides employment, which is good. Of much greater threat to the way of life is the current building of a car road for skiers - and the introduction of electricity in the last three years resulting in the ubiquitous satellite dishes (but who is an outsider to judge?)
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really excellent - hope to return soon. Not life changing but certainly life enhancing.
| Reviewed 15 Mar 2009 by Virginia Sowton | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The warm welcome and hospitality at both the kasbah in the Mountains and the riad in Marrakech was truly memorable! We absolutely LOVED both accommodations and would definitely recommend a stay in either. The kasbah was a quiet retreat and a great start to our holiday with easy to find routes for walking both in the mountains and in the valley for those who don't want a guide. The food was outstanding - Rashida, the cook dished up steaming hot tagines each night and Mohammed the house-keeper kept us warm with roaring fires. In Marrakech the accommodation is a beautiful riad within easy walking distance of most of the city's sights. The cool courtyard and sunny terrace provide cosy corners to relax in after the hustle & bustle in the streets of Marrakech.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go to the mountains first to relax, do some walking and have some early nights as there is little to do but sit by the fire, read and play games once the sun sets.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The mountain accommodation was restored and expanded using only traditional methods and materials, working with the villagers to recreate a typical berber house.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
FIVE STAR all the way! From the location to the food, the rooms, the service, we loved every second of this holiday! It suited us both to have the simplicity of the mountain accommodation and the luxury of the Riad in Marrakech.
| Reviewed 14 Jan 2009 by Heather Watson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The mountains and the kasbah are stunning. We did a wonderful circular walk with two other couples that we met at the accommodation, led by the excellent guide Hassan. We also walked without a guide on the toubkal route to the shrine. Food, people and atmosphere at the kasbah are superb. Its fun to share the living salon with fellow travellers, eating and chatting by candlelight - and then retreat to find the real fire in your room has been lit.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do walk, do get a guide for at least one day. Some rooms have electricity, many don’t - so take your head torch! Arrival at the accommodation, with the last part up a river bed with your bags on a mule, may put some people off - but its well worth the effort. Think about taking pens to give to local school master.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Very definitely.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Marvellous.
| Reviewed 29 Dec 2008 by Aaron Markowitz-Shulman | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Trekking up to the lodge off the road and with our bags on the mule, discovering our room was lit only by candlelight and by the fire.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring a good book, be prepared to walk a bit if you want to get to the local village shops.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - the Kasbah is clearly built into the local community and with traditional methods. Power consumption is minimal, and the proprietor is a visibly important person in the local community.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of the most romantic places you could stay. There are lots of places to stay in the Atlas mountains, and this must be one of the best.
| Reviewed 31 Oct 2008 by Susan Mead | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Arriving at Samra after the walk from Imlil. Spending the evening eating and drinking in the candlelight and then laying in bed with the log fire burning in the room. The morning spent walking in the mountains. The light was so clear and the scenery amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take warm clothing in October. Our second morning we woke to snow just above us.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes in the main. The food we ate was produced locally and delicious. Not sure about the amount of firewood we used to keep us warm.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Just magic!