Akrich

The Akrich is wonderfully located on a 700 metre high hill, some 20 minutes from Marrakech by the Atlas Mountains and on the outskirts of a Berber village of the same name.

It’s a special little place where socialising with guests and the lovely owner Doris is part of the philosophy of a stay here. This starts off right at the beginning as Doris picks up guests personally at the airport. Thankfully there are only five accommodations at the Akrich, so she doesn’t have to go back and forth that often.

Once you get there you will be welcomed by 16 goats, 3 donkeys 2 dogs and 2 cats – all very friendly, of course. It becomes immediately apparent that this is a special little place. Not in the luxurious or plush sense, of course, after all, the house and its accommodation were hand built out of clay, there is no air conditioning or swimming pool, but special in the sense that this unassuming rural accommodation is a place to socialize and enjoy the nature of Morocco’s countryside.

Those thick clay walls keep the heat away in summer and cold at bay in winter (though just to make sure there is wood stove heating which adds an extra cosy touch) and rooms are actually larger than expected though simply furnished in a contemporary Moroccan style with bright colours, terracotta floors and cream-white linens. A highlight here is the 3 hectare farm and its four legged inhabitants, but there’s also a herb and vegetable garden with an abundance of sun ripened fruit and vegetables, including but not limited to, tomatoes, beans, lemons, rocket, pumpkins… etc

Just as well because Doris makes the most of all this fresh produce at meal times, which in keeping with the philosophy of the Akrich is an important part of the stay here. In fact, as Doris herself says, the kitchen forms an important part of the social heart of the Akrich.

Despite its rural setting, the Medina of Marrakech is less than 30 minutes away.