Kasbah Du Toubkal

Imlil, Marrakesh, Morocco

Mountains
Wildlife
Culture
Family friendly
Hiking

Berber retreat perched high in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains

Berber-run Kasbah du Toubkal sits on a rocky outcrop above the village of Imlil, 1,800m up in Morocco's High Atlas, looking over three valleys toward Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Reception is down in the village; the last stretch up to the kasbah is a 15-minute walk with mules carrying the luggage. Fourteen en-suite rooms and three family rooms are built in Berber style, with tadelakt plaster, carved cedar and woven rugs, arranged around a garden and large roof terraces. A simple hammam, heated by wood fire, looks out over the mountains.

The kasbah is the usual starting point for the two-day ascent of Jbel Toubkal. Shorter treks run out into the Imlil valley with local Berber guides. A 5 per cent charge on every stay funds the Village Association, which the kasbah co-founded, covering everything from waste collection to a girls' education programme. Meals are simple, organic and Moroccan, eaten on the terrace with the Toubkal massif for a backdrop.

Sustainability

Climate & conservation

Sustainable build / reduces consumption, The hotel was rebuilt from a historic ruin by local inhabitants, and funds are used to promote a design code that preserves the region's traditional architecture.
Sourcing meat and vegetables from producers in the Imlil valley
Reduces energy / water / waste, A community levy funds projects managed by the Association des Bassin d’Imlil, including rubbish clearance and providing safe water to outlying villages.
Reached via a 15-minute uphill walk, with luggage transported by mule
Located inside Toubkal National Park, below North Africa's highest peak

Community & culture

Managed and staffed exclusively by a local Berber team from Imlil
Co-founded Education For All for girls' secondary education in the High Atlas
A 5% guest levy funds a community 4x4 ambulance and local hammam
Partners with a cooperative of more than 100 local muleteers
The community fund is managed by a committee of local villagers
Using community funds to preserve traditional Berber architecture

Commercial

A 5% levy on all bills is passed directly to the village association
Winner of a British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award
In 2008, the property was a winner of the official Moroccan Sustainable Tourism Award

In brief

Price bracket: ££
Type of property: Lodge
No. of rooms: 14 rooms, suites and a panoramic salon
Max guests per room: Family rooms are available, sleeping an unspecified number of guests.
Facilities: Restaurant, Wifi, Library, Tours desk, Garden, Fireplace, Laundry, Airport transfer
Activities: Hiking, Climbing, Cultural visits
Setting: Mountains

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn offer pleasant trekking conditions in the mountains.

Kids

Families are welcome; family rooms are available.

Accessibility

Access is via a steep 15-minute uphill walk from the village; luggage is transported by mule.

Imlil, Marrakesh, Morocco

££pp / night Visit website

Guide price · £ <£100 · ££ £100–300 · £££ £300–800 · ££££ £800+ pp / night