The Berbère Palace: a different take on luxury in Ouarzazate

There is a concept of luxury that requires neither gold nor superlatives. It is about space, about time slowing down, and about a certain way of experiencing a place. In Ouarzazate, at the gateway to Morocco’s Deep South, this concept has a home: the Berbère Palace, a luxury hotel designed to feel like a village.

The moment you step through the entrance, words become superfluous: the coolness of a patio after the heat of the road, the tranquillity of a lane lined with orange trees, the desert light falling upon the earthen walls.

What makes it a truly unique destination

architecture inspired by a Berber village: patios, narrow lanes and citrus gardens
one of the finest destinations in the Deep South, open since 1992
regulars who return, season after season
a cinematic heritage you can almost breathe in
a varied menu ranging from the sumptuous Oasis buffet to the generous Italian focaccia

Here, everything is measured in space and silence

The real draw here is space as far as the eye can see, hours spent in solitude, and a respite from the clamour of the world. Gardens, patios, narrow lanes and a large swimming pool make up an estate where you stroll rather than rush about. Designed more as a Berber village than a mere hotel, the Berbère Palace lets you breathe: shade, cool water, and vast horizons to gaze upon.

A day at the Berbère Palace

Here, the 5-star hotel experience isn’t about the décor, but about the passing of time.
In the morning, the crisp air of southern Morocco stirs and the first birds begin to sing; at the Oasis restaurant, a chef prepares eggs to order before settling down on the terrace. A breakfast that feels timeless.
At midday, a cool breeze sweeps across the patios; guests seek the shade of the orange and lemon trees for lunch by the pool, sometimes under the tent – the very one where, over the seasons, sports stars, actors and film crews have come and gone. The heat, the cool water, a few cocktails, laughter that becomes memories.
In the afternoon, upon returning from a jaunt through the valleys, it’s time for tea, a massage or a hammam at the spa, or even a game of table tennis for the more competitive guests.

In the evening, everything slows down: candles are lit, the scents of the desert rise, and dinner is served at the Oasis buffet or at La Focaccina, the Italian restaurant. Later, it’s finally time for a cocktail at the Fair Wind bar, a game of chess, or the voice of a singer that makes you feel as though you’ve slipped into an old film, somewhere between Lawrence of Arabia and Casablanca. Above, the desert sky retains a depth that you’ll never forget.

Each moment flows seamlessly from the last, without ever feeling rushed. That is the essence of the hotel’s hospitality: looking after you without ever putting you under pressure.

The vast Moroccan south on the horizon

From the hotel, the Great South unfolds seamlessly: kasbahs, valleys, dunes and tracks begin just a few minutes away. Film studios and museums, the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs, Aït Ben Haddou, gorges and palm groves: the hotel tailors the itinerary to suit your wishes. Ideally situated near the Kasbah of Taourirt and Ouarzazate Airport, it is the natural starting point for a journey through southern Morocco.

The magic of cinema, woven into the fabric

Here, the landscapes have inspired the imagination of some of the greatest filmmakers. Ouarzazate is Morocco’s film capital, and the Berbère Palace has been one of its main bases for years: major international film productions, from *Gladiator* to *Game of Thrones*, have set up their crews here. Some, such as *Asterix & Obelix*, have even left behind mementos from their shoots, which have since become part of the location’s scenery. Once there, this history is felt rather than described, through the light, the setting and the sensation of stepping into a film.

The Berbère Palace at a glance

Category: 5-star hotel
Location: Rue Al-Mansour Ad-Dahbi, Berber Village, 45000 Ouarzazate, Morocco
Access: approximately 5 minutes’ drive from Ouarzazate Airport (2 km) and the Kasbah of Taourirt
Accommodation: 249 rooms and suites across 5 categories
Dining: 4 restaurants and 1 bar
Wellness: spa (hammam, sauna, jacuzzi) and swimming pool
Opened: 1992
Location: capital of Moroccan cinema, gateway to the Moroccan Deep South

Planning your stay in Ouarzazate

A stopover before heading into the desert, a few days relaxing at the spa and by the pool, or an immersion in the kasbahs or the world of cinema: every stay can be tailored to suit your own pace.