Ksar El Kabbaba, located in the beautiful Skoura Oasis, was the second place we stayed during our visit to Morocco. Very early on the third morning of our visit to Morocco, we began our four-day Morocco Tour heading to the Atlas Mountains, and then through the Tizi n’Tichka pass, the direct route towards Ouarzazate. This nearly four-hour drive included beautiful views of the snow-capped, Atlas Mountains, Berber villages, and a stop in Ait BenHaddou.
Fun Fact: Ait BenHaddou is where many Hollywood films were filmed like “The Hills Have Eyes”, and “Game of Thrones”.
Related: Travel Itinerary: A 12-day Family Vacation to Morocco
After traveling all day, as one would suspect, we were definitely looking forward to taking a hot shower, having dinner, and relaxing. Besides, we had yet another full day ahead. We were surprised (and relieved) when we pulled up to the 300 hundred-year-old, majestic Ksar El Kabbaba.
To be honest, the Ksar El Kabbaba was not what we expected after driving through dry, deserted roads to get there. What was behind the walls of this Kasbah were beautiful grounds with a lush garden full of organic vegetables that are used in the Ksar’s restaurant. There is a beautiful pool and lounge area that you must pass before you hit the gym and spa.
After a tour of the grounds, we sat in the common area, which houses the only television at the Ksar El Kabbaba. There, we enjoyed Moroccan baked goods and Moroccan Mint Tea. Afterward, we went upstairs to our room, the Cheikh suite, to prepare for dinner at the Ksar’s own restaurant.
Traditional Moroccan wood doors opened up into the beautiful 323 square foot Cheikh (or Sheikh) suite. The black furniture added a hint of elegance and luxury to the suite, especially with having the cream adobe walls as its backdrop. The bathroom was nice and modern, and we experienced, thankfully, hot showers both in the evening and in the morning. We needed it because the room was a bit cold. The room did have a heater, but due to its size, two heaters should have been installed to keep the room properly heated. Thank God for my hot-bodied husband.
Dinner at the Ksar El Kabbaba was great, and just like the breakfast, was included with our stay. They serve a pre-fix three-course meal, and on the night we visited, the menu consisted of Pumpkin Soup, Beef Tagine with potatoes, carrots, and eggplant as sides, and their version of tiramisu.
Although dinner was included, alcoholic beverages were not, but that didn’t stop us from ordering a bottle of wine: Domaine De Sahari Reserve, Rouge. A beautiful red that went well with the Beef Tagine we were eating.
Dinner was filling. They give you a lot of food. I mean a lot. Even for breakfast we were given a lot of food, a lot of good food. For breakfast we were served fresh-squeezed orange juice, tea and coffee, yogurt, crepes, pancakes, bread, cheese, olives… a lot. We both hated having to leave left overs, but we definitely couldn’t finish what we were given. If only we could stay there and eat! LOL
After spending the night at the Ksar El Kabbaba, we didn’t want to leave such a beautiful place. This place is seriously paradise in the middle of nowhere. I can see a gorgeous wedding ceremony taking place here. It’s just that pretty, peaceful and romantic. Staying at this historical Kasbah was definitely the break we needed from the chaos we experienced in Marrakech. Fortunately, our tour would lead us to more beautiful places like the Todra Gorge and an experience camping in the middle of the Sahara desert. I’m sure you’re going to want to hear about the latter.
We would definitely recommend staying at the Ksar El Kabbaba. The beautiful, peaceful grounds, wonderful and friendly staff, and amazing food made it a place we’ve vowed to return to on our next visit to Morocco. If not having a television in your room, and spotty Wi-Fi aren’t deal-breakers, I suggest looking into staying at least one night here in the Skoura Oasis.
Nightly rates for the suites at the Ksar El Kabbaba range from $122 – $140 per night for a single, and $150 – $200 for a double.
