Caravan by Habitas Agafay

Agafay, High Atlas, Morocco
Book from GBP Book from £192 per night

Desert chic meets eco-conscious luxury at this breathtaking oasis near Marrakech

Desert chic meets eco-conscious luxury at this breathtaking oasis near Marrakech

The word otherworldly is overused but staying at Caravan by Habitas Agafay, surrounded by an expanse of desert, with its lunar dunes and rocky backdrop, feels like being on another planet. Hard to believe you’re only 40 minutes from bustling Marrakech.

The resort has 40 tented suites and has combined the simplicity of Berber culture with modern design and comfort to create a unique space that feels both eco-hippy and high-end luxe. Communal lounges are wrapped in glass and adorned with handwoven rugs and pouffes, while the veranda, illuminated by raffia lamps, offers a laidback space for guests to savour Mexican, Berber, European, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Each of the Berber-inspired tents are situated to allow maximum appreciation of the ever-changing light across the Atlas Mountains. The commitment to sustainability is evident. Solar panels power all rooms, single-use plastic is banned and the use of upcycled materials further showcase the eco-friendly ethos. There’s a wellness centre, two pools, morning yoga as well as a DJ on the weekends, all of which create a calming communal vibe. But there’s also space to relax in private or wander off into nature. It looks like another planet but we found plenty of earthly delights to immerse ourselves in.

Highs

  • The sparse and stony Agafay desert itself – the beautiful mountain views are the perfect antidote to the hustle of Marrakech, yet just 30km away
  • Two pools – the bar pool has a Club Tropicana feel; the second, higher pool is ideal for relaxing and reading
  • The weekly Sunset Sessions, hosted by local DJs, are a fantastic way to unwind as the sun dips below the Atlas range, flooding the sky with colour. The emerald bar only adds to the mood
  • The food was delicious and surprisingly diverse considering the location
  • Minimalist interiors embody stylish simplicity
  • Lots of daily activities are included in the rate, such as yoga, cocktail classes and desert hikes

Lows

  • Although children of all ages are welcome, it’s got a grown-up vibe that may not be suitable for younger families
  • The commitment to sustainability means some facilities such as power and hot water can be temperamental. Occasional blackouts happen
  • There’s no air conditioning so tents can get hot in the summer months
  • We found the unheated pools pretty cold during our November stay, but it would be lovely and refreshing in the summer
  • The rocky terrain and distance of some of the tents from reception would be tricky for those with mobility needs, though all accommodations are on ground level

Best time to go

The climate in Agafay is dry and hot, with temperatures regularly reaching up to 40C (104F) in the height of summer. May/June and September/October are still pretty warm and sunny and definitely more comfortable. The winter months can get very chilly especially at night.

Our top tips

Though you can make card payments at the camp, you'll need cash if you'd like to tip the brilliant staff. There are no cash machines on-site and no towns within easy reach, so make sure you have it before arriving.

Great for...

Eco
Family
Foodie
Great Outdoors
Romantic
  • Desert Camp
  • 40 tented suites
  • Restaurant and bar
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Spa
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Bicycles Available
Room:

Rooms

There are 40 tented suites, each with kingsize or twin beds, faux-sheepskin rugs, low-slung mid-century seats and elegant lamps. Eco-bathrooms have decent showers, and there’s a small seating area outside each suite’s door.

The largest suites are the Atlas Lodges, with a kingsize bed and sliding doors onto your own private deck. The Desert Lodges have both a kingsize and single bed, sleeping three people, plus ensuite bathrooms and a private stone terrace. Our Desert Lodge was beautifully decorated with woven fabrics and earthen tones and, most importantly, stayed pleasantly warm overnight. It felt more 'room-like' than expected, thanks to a few stone walls that kept us nicely insulated.

The Dune Lodges are a similar size to the Desert Lodges and also sleep three, but they have eco-bathrooms and views over the valley. The smaller rooms are the Explorer tents, which sleep two, and are the furthest from the main hub. These do not have the stone walls of the other categories, and the eco-bathrooms are a tad rudimentary (the plastic loos don't match the luxe setting), but this is reflected in the lower rates.

Each of the sandy-hued, Berber-inspired tents are connected by stone paths. They’re tastefully decorated in ochres and creams, reflecting the landscape outside, with wooden floors and lots of Moroccan lamps and Berber rugs. The sheet thread count is high, and the mattresses are very comfortable. Note that WiFi isn't present in all rooms (and patchy at best), and there are no minibars or TVs. Think of it more as glamping rather than Waldorf Astoria luxury.

Features include:

  • Bathrobes
  • Cots available
  • Safe box
  • Terrace/balcony
  • Toiletries
  • WiFi

Eating

Given the lack of nearby eateries, it’s lucky that the onsite restaurant Olivar is superb. The focus here is on locally sourced, healthy and delicious food.

Meals are served in the semi-open dining veranda with its Atlas views. For breakfasts, you have a choice of three set options (Wellness, Agafay or Olivar). Whichever takes your fancy, you can expect a feast of parathas, brioches, honey, cream cheese, fig conserve, jams, peanut butter, eggs (provided by the onsite chickens), chia seed puddings and topped yoghurts. The avocado toast with vegan ceviche was delicious, and the shakshuka looked equally as tempting.

Salads naturally feature strongly and include everything from peaches and goats cheese to tapenade, but chicken, fish or beef tagine are often available. The menu changes daily, but the aubergine & almond amlou pastilla was my stand-out dish, and the Trifecta Agafay (carrot hummus, avocado hummus and tzatziki with some delicious fried tortillas) was a great way to start. Another popular dish is the lamb mechoui – slow roasted in an underground clay oven in the traditional style.

Regular cooking demonstrations in local cuisine are often held in the restaurant too, and they're free to participate in. And it’s not all clean-eating – the dessert platters are next level (the pistachio cheesecake is out of this world, or indulge in a chocolate fondant or several).

Features include:

  • Bar
  • Kids' meals
  • Restaurant
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • There are morning yoga sessions to get your day off to an invigorating start – usually followed by a splash in the plunge pool to really wake you up before breakfast
  • Excursions on horseback into the surrounding Atlas Mountains are organised daily and there are also e-bike tours into the nearby quartz dunes and eucalyptus groves. Camel trekking in the Agafay desert is another option
  • At the camp you can take part in a cookery or cocktail class to learn recipes that will wow people back home
  • After dinner you can go stargazing with a professional astronomer - this doesn't come cheap but is said to be amazing
  • Other excursions available include trips to nearby Berber villages to sample the local culture, including tea-making ceremonies and traditional rug-weaving
  • The Wellness Centre is small but constantly introducing new treatments, usually involving the local argan oil. There are a range of massages, but also the chance to practice meditation in the desert, and other holistic activities such as classes in the medicinal properties of the plants and fauna in this seemingly barren landscape

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Boules
  • Camel rides
  • Cooking classes
  • Cycling
  • Horse riding
  • Quad biking
  • Stargazing
  • Swimming
  • Table tennis
  • Tennis
  • Traditional cultures
  • Trekking
  • Well being
  • Yoga

Kids

All ages are welcome, but it's probably better suited to those with older children.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Both the Dune Lodges and Desert Lodges can have one single bed added, so they work for a family of 3. Families of 4 would have to book adjacent Tents or Lodges.

Cots Available

Baby equipment:

High chairs

Remember  baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking

Children's meals:

There's a kids menu with standards such as burgers, nuggets and pasta

Kids Activities on site:

  • VTT bikes
  • Table tennis
  • Badminton table
  • Pétanque

Distances:

  • Airport: 40 minutes
Kid Friendly:

Location

Caravan by Habitas Agafay is located about 26km outside Marrakech towards the southwestern coast of Morocco.

By Air:
Fly into Marrakech Menara, which is served by international and budget airlines.

From the Airport:
Airport transfers (additional cost) are available to and from Caravan Agafay, and car rental is also available, although the vast majority of guests prefer not to self-drive.

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

Airports:

  • Marrakech Menara Airport 35.0 km RAK

Other:

  • Beach 173.0 km
  • Shops 20.0 km
  • Restaurant 30.0 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests

7/10
Room
7/10
Food
9/10
Service
7/10
Value
8/10
Overall

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Rates for Caravan by Habitas Agafay

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