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| Photo by Dar Ahlam/SLH |
The Dar Ahlam is a 19th century Kasbah that sits on the outskirts of the Moroccan desert in Ouarzazate. Recently, the luxury resort was welcomed into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection of independently owned hotels across the globe.
The name, Dar Ahlam, translates to “House of Dreams,” reflecting the resorts remote location and ability to provide guests the feeling that they’ve escaped realities of life during their stay. The hotel is known for its luxurious accommodations centered around the resorts core philosophy of peace and privacy.
The hotel was built in 1920 on what were once the Sultan’s hunting grounds and underwent a complete renovation in 2002. Offering just 14 rooms, each suite boasts views of the Atlas Mountains and was individually designed with décor that changes with the seasons. All rooms have luxury en-suite bathrooms and fireplaces, while some suites come complete with outdoor terraces and private swimming pools.
There is no restaurant on the property, as each individual’s dining experience is created personally per guest. Both inside and outside on the property, there are a variety of spots of diners to enjoy private dinners, organized by the hotel’s team of 80 staff members. Tip: Don’t bother looking for a menu to help decide what to eat. There is no menu offered at the hotel, as all meals are prepared from local ingredients sourced from the souk or grown in the hotel’s own garden.
Experiences offered by the hotel include an alfresco lunch in the garden, a picnic in Sidi Fla gorges and dinner in the Valley of Roses. For an experiential travel, the hotel offers experiences like “Memory Road,” which takes guests on a nomadic journey from Agadir to Ouarazazate, staying in luxurious private houses and bivouacs through the landscapes of Southern Morocco.
Daniel Luddington, vice president of development at Small Luxury Hotels of the World, says, “Dar Ahlam perfectly encompasses all that SLH prides itself on – an extremely unique hotel in a stunning setting, genuine five-star personalized service and exceptional dining. We are thrilled to be promoting Dar Ahlam as it offers guests a truly once in a lifetime hotel experience. It really is the jewel in the crown.”