Les Jardins de Skoura

Rooms

The 8 spacious rooms come with alcoves, high ceilings, arches and thick set walls, all spread over 2 floors. They are decorated simply with traditional, eclectic furnishings and a focus on comfort as well as style.

The Tahouna Standard Room has a double bed, an ensuite shower bathroom, and a living room area. The Superior Rooms are similar, though all have space for an extra bed, and 2 of them (Mechmech and Hàaneb) can interconnect for a family or group of friends.

The 3 Suites also have double beds but contain separate living rooms, larger shower bathrooms and working fireplaces for chilly winter nights. Our favourite is the first-floor Suite Atlas, which also has a private terrace looking towards the High Atlas mountains. On the ground floor, Suite Saguia has views of the Palmeraie and direct access to 2 patios. Suite Jnan lacks outdoor space but looks onto the garden.

Expect hairdryers, complimentary toiletries and climate control. After dark, the only sound is crickets, frogs and the wind in the palm groves: sheer tranquility.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Our candlelit suppers in the garden under the stars, listening to the crickets, were a highlight. Each time, we valiantly devoured a 4-course meal consisting of an amazing variety of delicious chilled soups (melon with ginger being one), inventive salads, huge tagines or couscous and then dessert. On one evening we were treated to a local artist singing while we ate!

We also had breakfast in the garden - including fresh coffee, tea or hot chocolate, fresh orange juice, and a selection of jams and pancakes. In cooler weather, breakfast and dinner are served in the main dining room on the ground floor, when the fireplace would come into its own. Lunch can be ordered in the morning and there's normally a choice of pasta, rice, salads and fruit, and the olive oil is made on site!

The quality is exceptionally high, it is all home made (there's an organic vegetable garden and even the delicious apricot jam is made from orchard windfalls!) but you are given what is cooked each evening. Do not expect a menu; let Caroline know if you are a vegetarian in advance of your arrival.

Caroline will be available at supper and spends time with all her guests to ensure they are enjoying their stay and have as much information on the area as they want.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• The local area is beautiful and Caroline is more than happy to arrange tours with French guides, most of whom also speak sufficient English. These range from walks in her local palm groves to more lengthy expeditions
  
• Guided donkey walks set off from the hotel into the palm grove; horse riding can also be arranged (8km from Les Jardins; tell Caroline the night before if you want to make a reservation)
  
• There are bicycles to borrow if you prefer two wheels to four legs
  
• Longer explorations could take you into the spectacular High Atlas mountains; up the Dades Valley (the country of the figs), to discover the “Street of the Thousand Kasbahs”, or to the Draa Valley (country of the dates)
  
• This area is known for trekking - deep gorges, snow-clad summits, remote Berber hamlets - but be warned: it's too hot to hike in the middle of the day from April through September
  
• The local town of Ouarzazate, though far from spectacular, does have markets, pharmacies, supermarkets and a range of banks. It also hosts the biggest film studios in Morocco, so if you wish to see the plane in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the statues from Gladiator or any number of other film props, this is the place to go!
  
• Return to the guest house for a refreshing swim in the pool or unwind with a massage in the hammam

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Private guided tours
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Trekking

Kids

Children are welcome. They will enjoy playing in the garden, pool and surrounding area, but there are no specific facilities. Note they will need to eat with you in the evening.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Most rooms have a sofa that can be used as an extra bed; some Superior Rooms can interconnect.

Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 4.5 hours (Marrakech)
• Hospital: 45 minutes
• Shops: 10 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Les Jardins de Skoura is found off the main road from Ouarzazate to Skoura, south of the Atlas Mountains. Skoura is a good stopover en route from Marrakech to the desert around Zagora and Mhamid.

By Air:
Ouarzazate (38km) has an international airport but is not exactly on the most frequented flight paths. There is a daily flight to Casablanca but most people will arrive by car. The nearest busy international airport would be Marrakech Menara (200km away) but this is about 4.5 hours drive, as it is over the top of the High Atlas mountains.

By Car:
Hiring a car in Morocco is relatively expensive as is petrol but we found it worthwhile to be able to travel at our own place, stop at breathtaking views and get to out of the way locations. If you want to hire a see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you once you book through i-escape.