Kasbah Le Mirage

Kasbah Le Mirage began as a humble village cafe serving mint tea to the passing trade of quad biking tourists, which then grew to a restaurant, and eventually -- after four years of construction -- to the Kasbah Le Mirage. This impressive Moroccan fortress-style facade -- forged from the surrounding earth and stone -- certainly belies its early 21st-century completion. This hotel provides the strong feeling of stepping into an authentic and ancient North African kasbah, complete with traditional riad-style courtyards, tadelakt polished limestone walls, and bejmat tiled flooring, all done with a (deliberately or not) rough and rustic finish. Furnishing and railings are also all intricate wrought-iron whirls, while cacti of all shapes and sizes are dotted throughout the hallway, patios, and up to the wonderful rooftop terrace that affords panoramic views over the expansive surrounds of palm groves and the Atlas Mountains beyond. 

A long mud track leads through the dusty Moroccan countryside to a small, rural village dating back the 12th century set on the banks of the River Tensift. The Kasbah Le Mirage sits in the heart of this village, overlooking the surrounding Palmeraie palm groves and distant snow-capped Atlas Mountains. The location certainly feels remote, though it's just beyond the outskirts of Marrakech and about 25 to 30 minutes' drive from the bustling souks of the medina (old city) -- a (rather battered) shuttle service makes the journey twice daily free of charge. Marrakech Menara Airport is located on the other side of the city, so can take at least 45 minutes by road. 

The hotel has 26 rooms, each named after a spice (paprika, pili-pili) and decorated in typical traditional Moroccan styling with bejmat tiled floors, colorful limestone plaster, and a mixture of heavy rustic and ornately carved wooden furnishings. Some rooms also feature unique four-poster beds and superb carved eucalyptus wood ceilings. While the finish lacks a certain finesse in places, rooms are clean and certainly awash with rustic local charm. Amenities are limited to a flat-screen TV and air-conditioning/heating units; there is no Wi-Fi available in the rooms. Not all rooms have external windows -- though most that do have excellent views. Bathrooms feature colorful and intricate tile work; some rooms have big soaking tubs. 

Guests can enjoy fabulous Moroccan pancakes (crispy msements or fluffy baghrir) for breakfast each morning which is included in the rate. A menu of mostly regional fare with a couple European dishes is available for lunch and dinner, which can also be taken under the stars. The rooftop terrace also has a hot tub and bar, while drinks can also be ordered from the outdoor pool's swim-up bar -- a rarity in Morocco. As well as offering a traditional hammam spa, the hotel also specializes in a variety of tours, with modes of transportation ranging from quad and mountain bikes to camels. Wi-Fi is only available for free in the common areas.