Adrere Amellal

A spectacular desert eco-lodge wrapped up in silence 5 miles out of town, with a pool in the palm groves and a night sky to amaze you

This hotel is like no other. It appears in biblical fashion, a mythical town marooned in the desert, its mud bricks built into the side of a sandstone mountain, its windows opening onto a shimmering lake. At its heart it is an eco-lodge; there is no electricity, no TV, no sockets in which to charge your mobile phone. By day the sun beats down, by night hundreds of candles illuminate the land. It is a place of wild beauty, the mighty desert tamed for us mere mortals to enjoy.

Nothing here is done by halves. Each evening you eat in a different place, one night on a roof terrace with a crown of stars above your head, another in an open courtyard with flames leaping from a fire. The 40 rooms – all different – are equally remarkable. One is so big you could lose yourself in it, another has doors onto a balcony where a second bed awaits in case you wish to sleep outside at night. Elsewhere, breakfast is served overlooking the lake, while lunch is taken in the shade of palm trees. There’s a large pool, too, and daily excursions into the desert are unmissable. Out of this world.

Highs

• The setting is magnificent: desert, lake, mountain, sky
• The buildings are pretty cool, too; they blend into the landscape like chameleons
• At night hundreds of lanterns line the paths that weave through the compound
• The trips into the desert each afternoon are spectacular

Lows

• It’s hugely expensive, but rates do include all food, drink and activities
• There is absolute no electricity, which may not be to everyone’s taste
• Don’t come looking for nightlife; this is a quiet place
• There’s no choice on the food menu, but dislikes are discussed in advance
• There is no reception, no room keys; they do things differently here