REVIEWS


KASBAH TAMADOT Marrakech, Morocco


LOCATION: In the High Atlas close to the Berber village of Asni. Kasbah Tamadot is perched at 1,320 metres offering sweeping vistas of the Atlas Mountains' Ouirgane Valley. Marrakech is a 45-minute drive, making it close enough for clients to dip in and out of the hustle and bustle of the Moroccan city as they choose. The property may be tucked away from the melee of >ÀÀ>iV] LÕÌ }ÕiÃÌÃ Ü `iwÌiÞ feel like they’re in Morocco with 95% of the staff coming from surrounding Berber villages and lots of opportunity to experience local life.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: After a scenic drive from the airport we ground to a halt beside a walled complex. The only clue to our whereabouts was a small bronze plaque stating, ‘Sir Richard Branson’s Moroccan Retreat’. We’d arrived. Within seconds of stepping through the giant wooden door I was ‘oohing’ and ‘ahhing’ at the bounty of antiques dotted throughout the property, much of which was collected by former owner and antiques dealer Luciano Tempo.


THE FACTS: Kasbah Tamadot is one of seven properties that make up the Virgin Limited Edition collection – putting it on


the same pedestal as sister properties Necker Island, in the Caribbean, and South African safari gem Ulusaba. Branson bought this Moroccan sanctuary in 1998 and spent seven years restoring it and extended it to offer more rooms. Now the property has 28 rooms and suites, including 10 Berber Tents. Each has a terrace or a balcony and some have mountain-view sunken Jacuzzis and private plunge pools. At the centre v Ìi «À«iÀÌÞ Ã > i>Ìi` wÌÞ « that offers outstanding views day or night – my favourite was as the sun dipped late in the day, perfectly lighting up the burnt orange and rust-coloured foothills of the surrounding mountains. On the food front, the property serves a mix of Moroccan, African and international dishes in the Kanoun Restaurant. In the summer months, there’s several alfresco places to dine and the staff is on hand to help create private dining options. The spa facilities are outstanding – there is an indoor pool and four treatment rooms (make sure you book yourself in for a hammam). In true Virgin style, there’s lots of fun touches throughout such as giant chess sets, pool tables and weekly outdoor screenings of Casablanca.


EXPLORE: The property is the perfect retreat from the madness of Marrakech,


and it would be easy to never leave Kasbah Tamadot. But for those who haven’t experienced the city before, it’s a must and the hotel can arrange day trips to the souks. A lot of Kasbah guests stay in central Marrakech for a couple of nights before heading to the mountains. Activities in the High Atlas include trekking (you can hike up to the highest point in the range – Mount Toukbal), quad biking and paragliding. The property also gives guests the chance to experience local life. A new


124 ASPIRE SEPTEMBER 2019


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