Kasbah Bab Ourika review: our verdict
Incense floats in every room, and the décor alternately evokes Amazigh, Jewish, Andalusian, and Arab Morocco: at Kasbah Bab Ourika, the walls tell the story of the country. Antiques, craftsmanship, and contemporary art share a rammed-earth kasbah perched at the threshold of the Ourika Valley, which it overlooks, with gardens where every turn holds a surprise, and two donkeys that children go to greet.
The hotel has 42 rooms, distributed between the main building, the gardens, and a wing called Retreat, not to mention suites with private pools and, for large groups, a five-room villa. On the ecology front, the claims have proof: solar panels on the roofs, greywater recycling, an organically cultivated vegetable garden, and a team from the valley. On the plate, generous Moroccan dishes, served on the terrace facing the mountains; on the agenda, guided hikes, cooking classes, massages, and a pool. To cut it short, for two, as a family, or with friends. Not for a rushed meal: the kasbah is hard to find the first time, and table service can be slow.
The trap: arriving before 1 p.m. for lunch, as midday service doesn't start any earlier. The good tip: the hike in the valley with the house's guides.
