Nestled in Morocco's Atlas Mountains, Kasbah Tamadot is a luxurious retreat owned by Sir Richard Branson. This stunning property offers a unique blend of Berber hospitality, breathtaking scenery, and a commitment to supporting local communities. Let's delve into the details of this exceptional hotel.
Kasbah Ait Benhaddou in Morocco
A History of Transformation
Kasbah Tamadot is a 45-minute jeep ride from Marrakech. The property is a former governor’s mansion-turned-luxury resort, and is framed by Mount Toukbal, North Africa’s highest peak, and the surrounding snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Branson purchased the property in 1998 at the insistence of his parents, who were staying in the country to be with their son as he prepared for his around-the-world expedition.
They found it was inhabited by antique dealer Luciano Tempo, who invited them in for a cup of coffee. "They came back and said to me that unless I bought it and turned it into the most beautiful hotel in the world, they would disown me," he says. "And, loving my parents, I decided that I'd better come up and have a look. And I, too, fell in love with it." He paid about $1.5 million for the riad, receiving Tempo's warehouse of antiques in the nearby town of Asni as a bonus.
Over the course of seven years, he poured several times his initial investment into expanding the property and hiring and training local staff. As for the Kasbah, Branson added the same sort of luxurious touches that characterize his other exotic homes that double as boutique hotels, including Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands and the Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa.
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Luxurious Amenities and Accommodations
There are only 28 rooms here, scattered throughout the property. A mix of palatial suites and opulent Berber tents, all have a terrace or balcony. My Berber tent, reached through the aromatic vegetable and herb garden, past waddling ducks and peacocks, is utterly gorgeous, resplendent in chocolate brown and red silks, carved antique furniture, patterned rugs and wall hangings, and a vast kingsize bed. The tent opens onto a large terrace overlooking the local village of Asni in the distance, on the other side of a rocky valley and across a rushing river. Slipping into our outdoor sunken jacuzzi, looking up to the mountains, brings an overwhelming sense of tranquillity.
There also big-ticket amenities: a heated cliff-side infinity pool, an on-site restaurant called Kanoun that features a mix of traditional Berber fare and international favorites, and a recreation area complete with tennis courts, a ping-pong table and a small amphitheater.
Kasbah Tamadot offers 28 rooms spanning seven categories. Each room is spacious and individually decorated using Moroccan antiques and ornaments from all over the world. In the main building there's a mix of superior and deluxe rooms and suites, while within the grounds are ten Amazigh Tents, draped in white canvas, some with private plunge pools. There's also a separate master suite housed in its own building, which comprises three bedrooms, a sun-soaked roof terrace and a private swimming pool.
Beyond the comfort of the tent, the resort has a wide array of excellent facilities. The heated mountain infinity pool, and pool-sized steamy hot tub is surrounded by sumptuous sun loungers and rich green vegetation. On warm evenings, cinema nights are held here, screening films such as Casablanca, underneath the stars. On cooler days the indoor heated pool, sauna and hammam is a sanctuary.
Kasbah Tamadot: Sir Richard Branson's Luxury Hotel in Atlas Mountains, Marrakech Morocco - Virgin
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Dining Experiences
The quality of dining at the Kasbah is superb, and due to its remote situation, we recommend opting for the full board supplement. Experiencing breakfast on your terrace or balcony is a must. You can enjoy lunch and dinner at the property's Kanoun Restaurant, though dining is also permitted at the pool patio and bar, or on the rooftop terraces. Breakfast always includes a spread of freshly baked breads and pastries alongside juices and fruit, as well as à la carte specials. Lunch is casual and light, served as guests relax near the pool or in the courtyard.
Supporting the Local Community
The retreat’s core values include supporting the local community and the hiring of local staff, who were irresistibly delightful. At the Kasbah, that means hiring only Moroccans, from the manager down, and keeping them all employed during the pandemic and the earthquake and its aftermath. Through his Eve Branson Foundation (EBF), created by and named for his late mother, he and his family built a new primary school in the village of Imi Oughlad, which now seats 140 students. A textile shop sells rugs made on-site by female villagers and a woodshop supports young men, all learning and practicing ancient skills.
Kasbah Tamadot supports the Eve Branson Foundation, founded by Sir Richard Branson’s mother to improve the living standards of the Tamazight communities around Kasbah Tamadot. This is achieved by giving young people the opportunity for skills and traditional crafts training, aiding them in becoming economically independent.
Eve Branson Foundation
A Personal Touch
While at Tamadot, which he tries to visit at least twice a year, Branson frequently mingles with guests (by the pool, at meals, near the gift shop and in a couple of the property's numerous nooks that sport tables, chairs and stupendous mountain views). "I love people, and fortunately my wife loves people as well," he says. "I think life is all about meeting people. If you own a place like the Kasbah Tamadot, you know it's important to say hello to the guests, it's important that you shake hands, and it's important that you ask questions.
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It’s the personal touches that really set Kasbah Tamadot apart. It’s hard not to fall in love with Kasbah Tamadot. There is a sense of magic and impossible romance in its mountain air.
Recent Reopening and Improvements
Thrilled to reopen Kasbah Tamadot, our spectacular Moroccan boutique hotel in the Atlas Mountains. It has been partially closed for the past year after the region was hit by an earthquake. I visited just days after the earthquake, and even in the face of adversity, it was inspiring to see the hospitality and the warmth of the Berber people, even when many of them had lost family members and homes.
While the rebuild happened, all of Kasbah’s staff continued to be employed and the Berber Tents remained open to support tourism and relief efforts in the surrounding areas. We always said we would bring back Kasbah Tamadot better than ever and I’m incredibly thankful to all the wonderful people that have made that happen.
Virgin Limited Edition We have also expanded and added six new riads. Each one is beautifully unique, nestled into the newly landscaped area, with panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and the rivers that are simply breathtaking. These riads really do feel like a special addition to the Kasbah. With a traditional yet modern twist, each one offers its own private pool, lounge area, and a rooftop suite with a hot tub - perfect for unwinding after a day of cycling or hiking.
Staying here, I feel so connected to my mum’s legacy and I know she would love it. Tourism is so important for Morocco’s people.
El Fenn: A Marrakech Alternative
If you're looking for a similar experience in Marrakech itself, consider El Fenn. In 2002, Howell James and Vanessa Branson were hunting for a holiday house in Marrakech. By the time they left an hour later, they were on the way to owning not just one Marrakech home - but several. With its trademark blend of cool and a distinct feeling of home-away-from-home, El Fenn now stretches across 13 interconnected riads and spans 2,700 sq meters of the Marrakech medina. Today we have 41 rooms and suites, plus a 1,300 sq meter rooftop.
| Feature | Kasbah Tamadot | El Fenn |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Atlas Mountains | Marrakech Medina |
| Number of Rooms | 28 | 41 |
| Setting | Former governor's mansion | Interconnected riads |
| Atmosphere | Mountain retreat | Urban oasis |
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