Domaine Malika

Rooms

The Art Deco theme continues through the guest rooms, where 1970’s-style black-and-white bed rests and marble floors bring a touch of clean minimalism. You’ll find distinctive Moroccan touches too, such as the wooden safe cupboard made from antique Berber shutters, and a vintage armchair bought from Marrakech’s iconic 1920s hotel, La Mamounia. A fireplace in each room and a feature brick wall keep things cosy on colder nights. There’s a 30-inch plasma screen, but with views like these, you’re unlikely to be tempted by the TV. White curtains billow out as you open the large windows looking out onto the jaw-droppingly beautiful Ourigane Valley. Directly below is the garden, dotted with cacti and almond trees; you’ll just about make out the domed top of the local mosque in the background.

The 6 Premium Rooms are all equally gorgeous, each with their own private balcony or terrace looking out onto the spectacular Atlas Mountains. On a mezzanine level, the black-and-white tiled Moroccan bath and shower are big enough for 2 (and there’s a separate loo). Follow the private stairway with bamboo bannister to find the communal rooftop terrace or pool area. Honeymooners might want to splash out on the one and only Junior Suite: it’s an entire first floor of loveliness, completely independent from the rest of the house with its own large lounge area and 2 private terraces.

Separate to the other rooms, located in the Domaine's garden and with independent access, The Lodge is also perfect for honeymooners. It features a bedroom with a fireplace, a bathroom and a private garden with a Berber tent.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Domaine Malika’s dedication to local produce and home cooking really shines through at breakfast. Sure, you have freshly baked pastries and bread, eggs however you want them and freshly squeezed orange juice…but the jams! Wonderful concoctions made on site from the garden’s organic bounty include green tomato, apricot and almond, prickly pear, grape and apple, and grapefruit and peach.

Dinner too is a labour of chef Hafida’s love. Using produce from the garden whenever possible, the daily dinner menu is written out on the chalkboard in the lobby and you’ll be asked in the morning whether you’re staying for dinner. Say yes (why drive elsewhere when you can relax in such peaceful surroundings?). There’s a Franco-Moroccan set menu, so do warn in advance if you’re a vegetarian. You might get a turnip and cumin soup for starters; your main dish could be ombrinette (fish) with orange and anis; and for dessert, hope for the crushed almond and dark chocolate mousse - it’s heavenly.

Lunch at the hotel can be arranged with prior warning, but you’re best breaking up a day’s hike with a lunch stop elsewhere. Choices range from all-out luxury at Kasbah Tamadot (part of the Branson collection) to visiting a traditional Berber home (accompanied by a tour guide). Our favourite lunch was a lemon chicken tagine by the pool at Chez Momo, about 1.5 hours’ walk from Domaine Malika (15 minutes in a taxi). A closer option is the 4-minute stroll to L’Oliveraie de Marigha, a lovely hotel and restaurant managed by the same French family as Domaine Malika.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Armed with a map from reception or accompanied by a local guide, set off on a 1-hour walk to the salt mines, or else head to the lake, passing Village Dar Tasar on the way (3 hours)
  
• Get creative in the kitchen with chef Hafida: prepare your own dinner by booking the hotel’s Moroccan cooking class (2 people minimum)
  
• Tuck into a traditional Moroccan lunch at a Berber family home, accompanied by a guide
  
• Choose to travel by mule, mountain bike or 4x4 to the spectacular Ourigane Valley viewpoint at Tir First
  
• Ask the hotel to arrange a guided horse-riding trip to the canyon via La Domaine de la Roseraie
  
• Take a daytrip to Marrakech - transfers are easily arranged and there are myriad sites to see, plus you'll be returning to a true oasis
  
• Exfoliate with local black soap paste at the hotel’s boutique hammam, or book in for a relaxing massage or facial (the spa is open Tuesday-Sunday)
  
• Make like a Moroccan bride and get a henna tattoo by a local Berber lady in the comfort of your own room

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Hot air ballooning
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Trekking
• Well being

Kids

This is a peaceful retreat designed with adults in mind. As such, the hotel only accepts children aged 12 years or over and no extra beds are available.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Domaine Malika is in the Atlas Mountains, between Marigha and Ourigane, about an hour south of Marrakech, Morocco.

By Air:
Fly into Marrakech (60km), a hub for international flights. Or if visiting as part of a wider exploration of the country, you could fly into Casablanca. Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From Marrakech City / Airport
It is a 50-minute drive from Marrakech to Domaine Malika. It's possible to take a taxi, or you can arrange transfers through the hotel (see Rates) or hire a car (see below).

By Car:
You’re unlikely to need a car once you’re at the hotel - you’ll be going on walks rather than drives - but if you want to hire one to explore the wider area, see our car rental recommendations.

From southern Morocco
If driving from Ouarzazate or Taroudant, allow about 6 hours.

Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Morocco and getting around