Hotel Xaluca, Boumalne, South Morocco: "Stunner of a hotel to stay at...loved it!" Top 5 Page for this destination Morocco Hotel Tip by angiebabe

Stayed here at Hotel Xaluca, Boumalne in March 2010 and again this September 2012 on our way to Imilchil. This is definitely a great place to aim to stay at for the experience when in the area or driving between for example Marrakech or the Dades or Todra gorges and the desert area of Merzouga.

Both times we got the opportunity to stay in this amazing place heavily discounted because of good Moroccan business connections - but even at normal price on an international scale its excellent value for money....

So many times previously Ive been along the Dades Valley road, one of my favourite routes - particularly on up the Dades Gorge road just nearby, and through the town of Boumalne and looked up at the kasbah on the hill - not knowing what wonders it contained since being renovated as a 4 star hotel....

Beautifully contemporarily designed hotel from an old kasbah - now in a very modern and luxurious level with a mix of Moroccan and sub-sahara African designs. Luxurious pool with poolside lounge chairs and lounge beds, table seating areas for enjoying the great view from the pool level, also a gymnasium with exercise bikes, rowing machines etc. and full range of short and long lasting massages and sauna. Overnight laundry service is available - we got our own done in 2 hours at a laundry and ironing service just outside the hotel gates for a third of the price.

Buffet style breakfast and dinner have both times provided a nice range of dishes and foods - unfortunately the orange juice was off...byt liptons tea was provided also which was great.

This September we were greeted at the door by ladies and men dressed in the local traditional Kelaa Mgouna costumes and singing...


Beautifully decorated inside with art and artefacts from around Morocco and around North and Sub-Sahara Africa - modernising the old kasbah but preserving the history when possible - some of the walkways through the hotel have see through flooring to the old kasbah foundation below - and I really loved and appreciated how the balconies from the rooms look wonderfully out over the locals houses and oases below and out to to the snow topped mountains that appeared over the tops of the valley that runs on up to the Dades gorge.

The place sprawls as you meander and roam or make your way to the lounge bar or the restaurant - going past the beautiful pool on the way.

The restaurant is decorated with tables and chairs that belong in a Kings palace - the buffet evening meal and breakfast gave a wide choice of dishes and items to enjoy - both traditional local dishes and international. The waiters were all decked out in fancy uniforms complete with high hats - but didnt actually do anything.....which was one surprise and let down, having to get my own coffee and work out how to work the coffee jugs etc...

The bedrooms were very interesting and luxurious - with African designs decorating the walls and bedding - wonderful mattresses and bed linen, ensuite bathroom with air conditioning, wifi and mini bar and huge flat screen TV....

All rooms have ensuites but pay a little more for more space and balcony.

There is also a Xaluca hotel in the Erg Chebbi sahara desert near Merzouga (kabah Tomboctou) , and on the outskirts of Erfoud on the road to Rissani

Unique Qualities: Definitely want to stay here again!

Comparison: more expensive than average
Directions: From Tinerhr direction the sign post is to the right just past the Military post before the road goes steeply down into Boumalne past the viewing areas over the town - from the opp direction vice versa
Price: US$80-120
Theme: Hotel
Website: http://www.xaluca.com/en/hotel/dades/