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A lovely Berber style hideaway in the Atlas Mountains.
Welcome to something… completely different. For singles, couples or small groups alike…. located in a valley in Imlil in the High Atlas, guesthouse Samra is a true hideaway far from the beaten track.
At the same time, you are still near to Marrakech, so you will not need to travel very long. Kasbah Samra is not a riad, but what is called a Douar.
This is a traditional Berber house, typical of the traditional stone and rammed-earth dwellings of Berber villagers, constructed in several terraced stone stories.
Located in the middle of the village of thirty or so Berber houses, Kasbah Samra, so lovingly restored by Swiss owner Jacqueline, using ancient, traditional methods, consists of 10 pretty, individual bedrooms and one bungalow, all in one unique house.
With its Berber ‘cachet,’ the guesthouse offers all the comforts of hotel-style rooms to intrepid trekkers in a secure region at an altitude of 1850 metres (6070feet), within easy reaching distance of the summits of the Atlas. The concept allows travellers a little taste of Berber life, all in adequate comfort, especially after a hard day’s trekking.
There are many possibilities for mountain walking and trekking, with guides and mules or independently. The varied scenery includes snowy mountain tops, oasis’ and waterfalls.
Berber Cuisine, a soothing Beldi ‘Hammam’ and local guides who speak French, English, Italian, Spanish, German, & Arabic are all at your disposal.
Location
The guesthouse is located in Tamartet, a tiny village in the High Atlas near Imlil at 65 km or 42 miles from Marrakech Airport. This is a drive of approximately 1 hour.
Jacqueline can facilitate your arrival, by organising airport transfers in 4WD to and from the guesthouse. To get to Samra, we use donkeys to carry your luggage from the nearest road stop up to your rooms.
If you do not wish to drive, you can take a taxi from Marrakech’s main taxi station (Bab Arab) or ask the driver of a Grand Taxi. The journey should cost approximately 250 DHS (20€ or 15 GBP, depending on the exchange rate).
On your arrival in the village of Imlil, you will be greeted by Mohamed and Jules, Samra’s personal mule and porter, who will take you to Tamartet (approximately 15/20 minute walk).
Food:
You are, obviously, far from the options of the city. There fore Guesthouse Samra not only offers breakfast, but also Half Board and Full Board.
Rooms and Family Suites:
Samra is “friendly sized” with a total of 3 rooms and 4 suites and can accommodate upt to 19 people. All of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms as well as their own fire place. Kasbah Samra also boasts several roof terraces with breathtaking views, a traditional Hammam and a colourful Berber style dinning room where delicious home cooked Moroccan meals can be enjoyed around a log fire.
Yan Double room with fireplace, bathroom with shower and WC, balcony.
Sin Double with fireplace, bathroom with shower and WC, balcony.
Kran Double with fireplace, bathroom with shower and WC.
Kuss Double with fireplace, bathroom with shower and WC - can be set up as a twin or triple (with extra single bed) and a large private terrace
Family Suites Mouss 4 single beds
Sdes 3 single beds
Sbat 1 double and 1 single
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Prices and Conditions
The rate is of 44 EUR per day per person on Half Board basis. This includes breakfast and dinner.
Included: The rates include accommodation and half board.
Children: Children under the age of 8 are free of charge.
Pets: Only small size pets , and on request only.
Cancellations and modifications
Your reservation goes directly to the guesthouse, who will contact you with confirmation and payment requirements. All changes to existing reservations, or cancellations, will have to be dealt with with the guesthouse directly.
Responsible Travel
The spirit of Samra lies in the principle of sustainable tourism. Not only does the restoration of the Douar help the village by employing all the men, but it preserves the uniformity of the architecture passed from generation to generation. It has benefited the villagers already, for our Douar allows the Berber women to re- value their artisan skills, such as carpet weaving. The first inhabitants in Morocco, before the arrival of the Arabs from the east, the Berbers resisted all forms of cultural imperialism, clinging to their hard-earned culture which they take pride in sharing with visitors to our Douar. The concept of Samra, is to create a certain new type of experience. The village of Imlil was the inspiration for Martin Scorsese’s film “Kundun”, the recreation of the life of the Dalai Lama.
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