Morocco: Berber Lodge Hotel Review

Heading straight in the direction of Marrakesh we nearly miss the right turn towards our next and almost final stop on our road trip across Morocco. As the car stumbles over an unfinished dusty road we roll into a driveway, park under a palm-thatched roof and head inside. We are greeted with a strong smell of honeysuckle as we walk towards our lodge, fresh lemonade in hand, and admire the view of the Atlas mountains which we had just driven through.

With an overwhelming amount of luxury hotels and Riads to choose from across Morocco, it can be hard to find the best and most authentic feeling. Berber Lodge, situated only 30 minutes from Marrakesh, consists of 9 individually styled Berber lodges scattered around a private property creating an exclusive and understated luxury stay.

Food + Drink 3/5

During summer the restaurant spills out onto the garden and under the olive trees that scatter the property. The setup is relaxed and tasteful with deep green wicker chairs, handmade local ceramics and embroidered linens placed carefully on the table. The restaurant is predominantly for hotel guests only and serves a set menu consisting of traditional Moroccan and Mediterranean food with your dietary requirements asked at check-in. The kitchen is partially supplied with fresh produce from the garden or is sourced locally from trusted farmers.

Across the course of our stay lunch was the standout meal. Multiple fresh, colourful and vibrantly flavoured dishes were placed on our table with an icy cold bottle of crisp French Rose. This intriguing selection of food included dishes such as baked couscous and feta stuffed peppers, tangy beetroot and slow-roasted spiced courgette. Each dish felt unique, light and pleasantly complemented each other.

The three-course dinner moved towards traditional Moroccan cuisine with Berber soups, couscous and vegetable tagines. Although enjoyable I found the flavours and variety limiting across the two evenings. I felt that the chef's interest in cooking vegetarian food lacked imagination and variety which, for a contemporary hotel that caters for international guests, is a little surprising. Breakfast was lovely and included fresh fruits, yoghurt, toast with an enriching variety of condiments and eggs cooked however you request. They also offer a choice of black and mint tea which, having been in Morocco for 10 days, was greatly appreciated.

Aesthetic + Interiors 4.5/5

The overall scheme visually embodies the lodges ideology of slow living with its use of hand-crafted terracotta tiles, unfinished timber beams and sandblasted walls. The tones are cool with a scattering of colour injected throughout using locally produced textiles and decorative objects. Each lodge is unique and I was able to stay in the Superior and the Deluxe room during my stay to be able to get a better sense of the furnishings. Both rooms were spacious with a living area, attached bathroom and private outdoor seating. The furniture is a unique mixture of mid-century modern pieces set against Berber textiles and traditional building materials. The aesthetic is continuous throughout the lodges, restaurant and communal areas creating a harmonious sense of movement between the spaces.

Facilities + Small Touches 4/5

A delicious glass of homemade lemonade was available for us on arrival while we were being shown to our room which was a welcome touch in 37° heat. The clear show stopper of the lodge is the 20m swimming pool which sits poised on the grounds surrounded by luscious olive trees. With only 9 lodges there is never a worry of overcrowding, moving of other peoples towels or lack of available sun loungers to select from. The communal living room and bar provide a laid-back area to sit with a glass of wine, read or play a board game to escape the sun. Activities such as quad biking, in-room spa treatments and camel rides are available to book through the hotel but I feel the main agenda of this lodge is to lie by the pool with a cocktail and new book in hand.

Service + Atmosphere 4/5

In true Moroccan style, the service was very friendly but never overbearing. Staff make themselves available to you when needed and are always on hand but for the most part, remain quietly in the background. There was some confusion with our booking which I mentioned on arrival but this was quickly resolved with a generous resolution from the reception staff. There is a soft air of comfortable silence that runs throughout the lodge which is enhanced by the low-level lighting and sunken comfy sofas for you to retire to after dinner.

Berber Lodge is the ideal place to escape once you have spent time in the bustling city of Marrakesh. The Lodge has the perfect balance of relaxed elegance and simple luxury nestled away at the foot of the Atlas mountains.

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