Hotels, Merzouga - Reviews

angiebabe
Reviews: 1582

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Hotel Nomade Palace: Excellent place to stay for a desert experience

We stayed here in JUne 2012 - I was having another birthday in Morocco and was particularly wanting a place to stay that had a bit of luxury - thinking along the lines of the Hotel Xaluca chain re my previouis wonderful stay at Xaluca Boumalne - and I was also wanting a place I had not stayed at before and had some privacy and pleasant people running it.

I was recommended to try Hotel Nomad Palace as it was run by childhood friends and being on the other side of Merzouga with some dunes in between.

The room was enormous - with a king size bed and massive bathroom beautifully tiled and 2 seater sofa and table Moroccan style - was already looking rather palace style!
- and had airconditioning

- it was about 10pm when we arrived but still hot and steamy probably about 35' still so air con was great to have...and the water for showers was hot with good pressure - and was that way throughout our stay.

Meeting Ali who has been running Nomad Palace with his family for the past 14 years was a nice breath of fresh air - he discussed his views and ethos in creating a hotel that becomes a place in which visitors and travellers can come to see and experience what it is to be in the sahara desert of Morocco - hence even decisions in the decor of the hotel with the aim of traditional designs and colours.

The hotel has a range of levels of accommodation on 2 storeys - from budget with lower priced rooms for sharing communal bathrooms to standard double and twin rooms with ensuite to large luxury suites. There is a beautiful pool in the shape of a palm tree - with some palm trees along side - which was great for us there during June when the summer months can be very hot - and from which the breakfast room looks out to.

The main dining area/salon is currently being reconstructed in order for a new roof to be built.

All of this is surrounding a large courtyard of trees that provide privacy and shade - and also lots of birds chirping in them in the afternoons. ...an oasis in the desert!

Of course a visit to the sahara desert conjures up pictures of camels and as with pretty much all the hotels around Merzouga camels are on hand and trips into the dunes are catered for - sunrise, sunset and overnight trips are the general demand by visitors but longer trips of extended nights away are also available....pretty anything a person wants can be catered for.

Since the earlier years of my visits to the sahara and the driving around the dunes, camping out, meeing nomad families Ive been wanting to do a 4x4 trip to go and see these places again without the hassle of getting stuck ....Ali offered a day for 800 dirham covering the places I wished to get back to and also included a visit to the fossil fields that I had never been to....with good photo stops and visit to nomad families who did not mind photos being taken....a totally recommended much do to maximise your visit to the desert

Unique Quality: Hotel is set up in a lovely way to show traditional designs, maximise privacy and comfort and be friendly without encroaching - the pool is beautiful and the food we had was excellent - happy with the selection of items for breakfast and everything was clean - views from the roof are quite good - a good location if you want to go for a decent walk into the dunes

Opinion of Price: about average
Phone: 00212(0)661563611 & 0662191244
Website: www.hotelnomadpalace.com
Related to: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Desert, Photography
Written August 3, 2012

rooms and walkways around the courtyard

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angiebabe
Reviews: 1582

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Riad Aicha: Contemporary style with comfort in the desert

5 rooms here in total make this a nice quiet place to relax - nice comfortable rooms with interesting designs along with air conditioning, great beds and excellent breakfasts make this a worthwhile place to choose to stay at during your visit to the Sahara desert.

As with pretty much all the hotels out here camel trips - whether sunset or sunrise trips for a couple of hours or overnight, or even several days - or 4x4 excursions or a guide to accompany you if you are in you are in your own and just want to see a few sights in the area.

Overnight camel trips are 300 dirham with all included just as youd pay for the night with dinner and breakfast in the hotel - so you still get dinner and breakfast but out in the desert - and its not a shared bivouac area, its their own private space. Sunrise and sunset trips are 100 dirham if theres more than two in the group.

Relax up on the roof in the evenings and see how close the stars are above you in the Sahara. Or get up early for sunrise from the roof and a view over the local homes and streets surrounding you below as the locals get up and going in the early mornings.

A few minutes walk to the palmeraie where you can have a roam around under the date palms - see the veges such as cabbages growing in the desert sand!

Opinion of Price: about average
Address: Hassi Labied
Related to: Road Trip, Desert, Luxury Travel
Written October 1, 2010

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sachara
Reviews: 3875

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Bivouac in the dunes of Erg Chebbi

As many others we spent the night in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Along the dunes are many kasbahs and camps. We arranged our cameltrip in Kasbah Mohajut in Hassi Labied, a village 5km north of Merzouga. Every kasbah has its bivouac somewhere in the dunes. It was low season, so we saw only one camel caravan in the afternoon and one the other morning.

After a camelride of one and half hour in the late afternoon, we arrived at the bivouac in the middle of the dunes. In the nomad tents was place for 8 persons, but we were only with 4. There was also a tent to sit and have dinner. It was rather comfortable. In the tents were beds with lots of blankets, so even in winter (january) the stay in the desert was warm enough. It was the first time in the desert I had not to bring my own sleeping bag, tent and other stuff.

While we watched and enjoyed the amazing sunset, the changing colours of the dunes and the coloured skies, dinner was cooked for us. It was winter, so after dinner the campfire kept us warm, while we drunk our tea and our hosts did some drumming and singing.

It was early bedtime. The next day we waked up again before sunrise. The sunrise was even more spectacular. After a hot tea our camels brougth us back to the kasbah for our breakfast.

Opinion of Price: N/A
Address: Erg Chebbi Dunes
Phone: +212 66 039185
Related to: Camping, Desert
Written March 24, 2008

Arrival in the bivouac after a camelride

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angiebabe
Reviews: 1582

3 out of 5 stars User Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Auberge Erg Chebbi: auberge close to the dunes of Erg Chebbi

I NO LONGR RECOMMEND THIS PLACE DUE TO CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT

This place can be quite casual so if you want 3 or more star accommodation then there are other nearby hotels that also back on to the desert and are close to Erg Chebbi dunes. A range of accommodation is provided here covering low budgets to moderate with rooms with or without ensuites at a range of standards.

Unique Quality: Close to the highest dunes of Erg Chebbi - walk out of the auberge and youre in the sand. A few minutes later you can be high enough up some dunes to get some effect of the sunet on the colours of the sands. Otherwise go up and over the dunes by camel!

Accommodation that provides services or inclusions that you might want such as the standard camel trips that all the auberges will make accessible - sunrise, sunset or overnight camel trips or 4x4 excursions out around the desert.

Usually the food heres been very good. Try the Kahlia dish which is traditional for the merzouga area of minced or chopped meat cooked with tomatoes and spices and egg set on top.

Opinion of Price: about average
Address: BP 10, merzouga
Website: auberge_ergchebbi@yahoo.fr
Related to: Desert, Adventure Travel, Budget Travel
Written August 13, 2007

early morning colours from the dunes to auberge

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barryg23
Reviews: 2895

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Auberge les Dunes d'Or

Auberge les Dunes d’Or wasn’t our first choice hotel in Erg Chebbi but we were very pleased with the hotel and enjoyed our stay here immensely. It’s located at the base of the dunes, about 25 km north of Merzouga. To get here, we drove across a piste road which leads off from the main Rissani-Merzouga road. Driving a Fiat Uno across a piste takes a long time and it took us about 40 minutes to do the final 6km to the hotel.

It was worth it when we got there, however. The hotel is an impressive Kasbah like structure, with a large number of rooms around a nice central courtyard. The best thing is its location. The rear of the hotel faces on to the dines and you can climb some very high and beautiful dunes only a small distance from the hotel.

It cost us 250 Dh per person for half board which was good value given the excellent location and its popularity with tour groups. An excellent dinner was included as well as a buffet breakfast.

Opinion of Price: about average
Website: http://www.aubergedunesdor.com/
Written May 16, 2007

Auberge les Dunes d'Or

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angiebabe
Reviews: 1582

4.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

about 13 auberges damaged or destroyed: damaged auberges from floods last year

Hi, notice theres little or no mention of the auberges that were damaged or destroyed last may in major flooding - as demand had grownover the last 10 years or so many more auberges have been built but unfortunately these places have been built on ancient plains or plateaus that are in the water path - just that as theres been no significant water or floodings for 50 years or more it seems people either have forgotten or didnt know or didnt believe that this sort of thing could happen.

13 auberges were damaged or destroyed, along with many buildings in the township of Merzouga itself.
Auberges such as Ksar Sania (sorry if the info i was given is not correct though!) apparently will not be rebuilt as it became apparent itd been built on a lake bed! Auberge Berbere, Riad Maria still totally wrecked. Places such as Auberge du Sud and Baraka partially damaged but still functioning.
It pays to make contact with auberges that you think youd like to stay at to check your visit - there are still many to choose from of good quality and with the services you might be after such as sunrise, sunset or overnight camel trips or even 4x4 out further into the desert.

Such as Dunes D'or, Auberge du Sud, Erg Chebbi, Yasmina

Opinion of Price: N/A
Related to: Budget Travel, Road Trip, Desert
Written March 28, 2007

Riad Maria

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angiebabe
Reviews: 1582

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

4 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

desert sand and stars calling!: Hotel Sahara under the stars!

How amazing! after tents and auberges in the desert - i was out taking my best friend for her first visit to where id been frequently and regularly and emotionally for the previous few years for our shared birthdays together!

The moon came up while we were still on our way to our spot for the night - and full at moon at that!! beautiful. beautiful! having had our adventurous ride in the dark on our camels and laughs with family connections guidinig us and then the cherry on top was the freedom to camp out free of tents etc and be out under the stars for the night - we certainly couldnt miss the sunrise either!

So do do it - take an overnight trip out into the desert. Check out a recommended auberge - many of the auberges are family run and have great atmospheres and people to take you out and look after you - feed you with a tagine when you arrive and breakfast in the morning after youve done the ritual must-do trip up the nearest dunes to see the sunrise.

Unique Quality: Exciting, loads of character and atmosphere!, very comfortable, natural and no electricity required!

Opinion of Price: about average
Address: sahara desert, Morocco
Related to: Desert, Adventure Travel, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
Written January 6, 2007

friend out under the stars

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angiebabe
Reviews: 1582

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

desert sand and stars calling!: Hotel Sahara under the stars!

How amazing! after tents and auberges in the desert - i was out taking my best friend for her first visit for our birthdays together to where id been frequently and regularly and emotionally for the previous few years!

The moon came up while we were still on our way to our spot for the night - and full at moon at that!! beautiful. beautiful! having had our adventurous ride in the dark on our camels and laughs with family connections guidinig us and then the cherry on top was the freedom to camp out free of tents etc and be out under the stars or even a full moon!, for the night - we certainly couldnt miss the sunrise either!

So do do it - take an overnight trip out into the desert. Check out a recommended auberge - many of the auberges are family run and have great atmospheres and people to take you out and look after you - feed you with a tagine when you arrive and breakfast in the morning after youve done the ritual must-do trip up the nearest dunes to see the sunrise.

Unique Quality: Exciting, loads of character and atmosphere!, very comfortable, natural and no electricity required!

Opinion of Price: about average
Address: sahara desert, Morocco
Related to: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Adventure Travel, Desert
Written January 6, 2007

under the moon

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alessandrasalles
Reviews: 1

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga: Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga

This is an alternative to your normal hotel stay while in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. You can just arrive (they provide also 4x4 pickup) to the desert and make your self leave on a real nomad camel caravan into sahara.

Les Nomades organize excursion in dromedaries into sahara to sleep in a true nomad tent. All is unique and personalized not like many places.

Tent Standard
camel ride into sahara+camel man+dinner+breakfast
30 euros per person per day

Tent Lux
camel ride into sahara+camel man+dinner+breakfast
60 euros per person per day

Les Nomades
Tentes & Bivouacs Exclusives
Merzouga - Sahara - Maroc

Unique Quality: This is a service provided by a group of nomad people from Sahara and directed by 2 people (nomad & brazillian) which believe Sahara has to go different. They provide unique and personalized attention to each client. You will not be with dozens of people aside while you experience sahara. You will have a main tent for sleeping SUITE TENT,king size bed room & living room; dinning & music area; shadow relaxing area. This is all providided with great quality and live time project.

Opinion of Price: about average
Address: Hassilabied - Merzouga - Erg Chebbi - Sahara - Morocco
Phone: +21273555508 +21244886922
Website: http://www.nomadsaharabivouacmerzouga.com
Related to: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Family Travel, Luxury Travel
Written March 12, 2006

Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga

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johnsakura
Reviews: 3944

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga: Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga

This is an alternative to your normal hotel stay while in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. You can just arrive (they provide also 4x4 pickup) to the desert and make your self leave on a real nomad camel caravan into sahara.

Les Nomades organize excursion in dromedaries into sahara to sleep in a true nomad tent. All is unique and personalized not like many places.

Tent Standard
camel ride into sahara+camel man+dinner+breakfast
30 euros per person per day

Tent Lux
camel ride into sahara+camel man+dinner+breakfast
60 euros per person per day

Les Nomades
Tentes & Bivouacs Exclusives
Merzouga - Sahara - Maroc

Unique Quality: This is a service provided by a group of nomad people from Sahara and directed by 2 people (nomad & brazillian) which believe Sahara has to go different. They provide unique and personalized attention to each client. You will not be with dozens of people aside while you experience sahara. You will have a main tent for sleeping SUITE TENT,king size bed room & living room; dinning & music area; shadow relaxing area. This is all providided with great quality and live time project.

Opinion of Price: about average
Address: Hassilabied - Merzouga - Erg Chebbi - Sahara - Morocco
Phone: +21276991823 +21273555508
Website: http://www.nomadsaharabivouacmerzouga.com
Related to: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Luxury Travel, Family Travel
Written March 12, 2006

Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga

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Merzouga Hotels

Our Members Say

Hotel Nomade Palace: Excellent place to stay for a desert experience

Riad Aicha: Contemporary style with comfort in the desert

Bivouac in the dunes of Erg Chebbi

Auberge Erg Chebbi: auberge close to the dunes of Erg Chebbi

Auberge les Dunes d'Or

about 13 auberges damaged or destroyed: damaged auberges from floods last year

desert sand and stars calling!: Hotel Sahara under the stars!

desert sand and stars calling!: Hotel Sahara under the stars!

Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga: Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga

Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga: Les Nomades Tents & Exclusives Bivouacs Merzouga

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