Hidden in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, Sir Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot offers a different kind of luxury escape, where private heated pools, rooftop tented suites and panoramic mountain views meet centuries-old Berber traditions. The retreat trades the conventional five-star hotel experience for an intimate Moroccan hideaway built around privacy, culture and personalised hospitality.

Six three-bedroom riads, hillside Berber tents with private hot tubs and restaurants serving Moroccan specialities give guests multiple ways to experience the mountain retreat. Beyond the accommodation, visitors can explore rugged mountain trails, learn traditional bread-making techniques and unwind in a spa inspired by Moroccan wellness rituals.

But Kasbah Tamadot’s appeal extends beyond its exclusive setting. Through the Eve Branson Foundation, established in 2005, the property is connected to initiatives supporting Berber communities through traditional crafts, weaving and woodwork. The combination of high-end hospitality and local cultural experiences gives the retreat a distinctive place in Morocco’s luxury tourism market.

Private riads and hillside Berber tents

Kasbah Tamadot offers several accommodation options, from courtyard-facing Superior Rooms to suites with private terraces and mountain views. Its six three-bedroom riads, each spanning 148 square metres, accommodate up to seven guests and combine traditional Moroccan furnishings with contemporary comforts.

The riads include a Two Bedroom Pool Suite and a Rooftop Tented Suite. The pool suites feature king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms, fireplace lounges and private heated pools, while the rooftop tents offer separate sleeping and lounge spaces connected by a terrace with a private hot tub.

For guests seeking a closer connection to the landscape, the property’s hillside accommodation includes five 55-square-metre Berber Tent suites and five larger 65-square-metre tents with private outdoor hot tubs. Each features a private terrace, with views across the surrounding valley and mountain range.

Rooms and suites throughout the retreat incorporate Moroccan furnishings and antiques, including pieces from the collection of former owner Luciano Tempo.

Moroccan cuisine meets mountain hospitality

Dining is central to the experience, with menus combining traditional Moroccan dishes and international favourites prepared using seasonal ingredients, many sourced from the property’s organic kitchen garden.

Kanoun Restaurant serves Moroccan specialities, including tagines, alongside internationally influenced dishes and a selection of Moroccan and international wines. Asayss Restaurant, located near the Berber tents and gardens, offers a more relaxed setting for meals and drinks.

Guests can also take part in Moroccan cooking classes, preparing three-course meals under the guidance of the hotel’s chefs. Bread-making sessions introduce visitors to traditional techniques using a clay oven, highlighting the role of bread in Berber culture.

Adventure, wellness and local heritage

Beyond its accommodation and restaurants, Kasbah Tamadot offers a range of activities, including hiking and cycling routes, two floodlit tennis courts, a fitness centre and access to five nearby golf courses.

Excursions take guests to destinations such as the 12th-century Tin Mal Mosque, the Tizi n’Test Pass, Ouirgane village, the Ourika Valley and Takerkoust Reservoir.

The property also has the Asounfou spa, offering hammam experiences, massages and other treatments, alongside outdoor and heated indoor swimming pools.

Through the Eve Branson Foundation, visitors can explore craft and weaving centres in nearby Tansghart and Tamgounssi. The initiative supports traditional skills and creates opportunities for local communities while preserving Berber cultural heritage.

The retreat also provides tailored children’s activities through its Kasbah Kids programme, allowing families to combine outdoor exploration and cultural learning with the property’s leisure facilities.