The quiet beauty of Berber Lodge
Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh, Berber Lodge is a peaceful retreat in the small village of Oumnass. An ode to the craft, culture and heritage of Morocco’s Berber community, owner and interior designer, Romain Michel-Ménière worked closely with Studio KO to bring these things to life. The result is a Shangri-la that will steal your heart, as I was about to find out…
We drove some thirty minutes away from Marrakesh towards the Atlas Mountains, turning off and ambling along a few dirt roads before arriving at our destination. With no entrance sign nor obvious display of this being our hotel for the next few days, Berber Lodge instantly hinted at the subtlety that would become its trademark.
As the team greeted us warmly in a ‘welcome to our home’ kind of way, our shoulders relaxed after a few fabulously hectic days of exploring the souks and sights of the city. They relaxed several inches further once we were given a tour and shown to our room. The place was brimming with an elegant minimalism no matter where you cast an eye. The pink-hued pisé exterior of the main lodge and its outhouses was a vision against the surrounding olive trees and the hazy blue sky. Meanwhile inside, each room was sparingly chic with Berber rugs, vintage furniture and beautiful artworks. It was a haven in every way.
Soon enough, we sank into the relaxed pace and simple routine of life at Berber Lodge. A place to while away the days with long lunches under the olive trees followed by idle afternoons by the pool, blissfully disconnected from reality. At around five o’clock, the time would come for a cocktail at golden hour, before heading to whatever candlelit feast was in store for dinner that evening.
Speaking of the food, it was all delicious. Homemade each day by the kitchen team – who were all Oumnass locals – using fresh vegetables from the garden, along with seasonal produce from nearby producers. My favourites were the lunchtime spreads. Endless salads – cauliflower in rich tahini yoghurt, carrots coated in cumin, the list goes on… – followed by grilled meats, more salads and a light dessert. The cherry on top of these lunches was always the company of Couscous the cat, seeking shade for an afternoon nap under the olive trees.
Berber Lodge, in all its quiet beauty, stole my heart. For its impeccable design combined with the magic of Moroccan light, it’s a place to which I’ll always try and return.
Rooms from €220 – book here.
