La Maisonnette - Garden Suite

Escape the crowds of Marrakech and Fez, and come chill out overlooking the oasis of Todgha. La Maisonnette is perched cliffside on the largest oasis in the south of Morocco, with sweeping views of the fields, surrounding mountains and desert. It is a peaceful retreat for relaxation, long walks soaking up the local beauty, and can offer a wonderful introduction to the Berber culture and village life. The space THE SPACE: Surrounded by High Atlas Mountains and Djebel Sagho hills, our traditional rammed earth house was built in 1920. With a true passion for Berber culture and architecture, we restored our home with traditional methods and local materials, decorating each room with love and simplicity. Patrons to a back-to-basics form of tourism, and convinced that the heart of traveling is to understand our world and its people better, we treat our guests like family. Each of our 4 cozy rooms have private bathrooms en suite, access to the garden or terraces, and spectacular views of the oasis. Guests also enjoy the fresh local cuisine we cook, the warm child friendly environment, and the direct access to the oasis, fields, and local trekking. The Garden Suite consists of 1 double room and 1 triple room connected to each other through a shared door. Each room has a private bathroom en suite, with views of the garden, oasis and village. The decor is simple and unique, designed with comfort in mind, and exhibits personal treasures that have been collected from our years of travel and adventure. It is possible to book these 2 rooms together, as a group or family, for 90€/ night, or independently for 45€/night. We can accommodate from 1 to 3 people in each room. Add 20€/night for a third guest. If you need a baby bed, just ask!   Contact us for availability, special requests, or please consult our other listings, Garden View Chambre and Rooftop View Chambre. We have 4 rooms available for guests. We offer a 10% discount for stays of 3 nights or more, as well as, weekly and monthly discounted rates. Please inquire for details. —————————— We also lovingly prepare delicious home cooked meals for 15€/pp (payable at home), which includes a salad (or soup), a main dish, and dessert. We can accommodate vegetarian, gluten free requests, and any allergy restrictions. Beer and wine is available at an additional cost.  -------------------- THE PLACE: The Todgha oasis, the largest in the south of Morocco, extends over 30 km from the gorges of the same name to the Sahara. The lush palmeraie is bordered by Berber villages whose mud houses, between pale yellow and ochre, blend into the surrounding mountain and desert landscape. The city of Tinghir is 15 km from the Todgha Gorges, and our home sits on a cliff overhanging the oasis, just in front of the city centre. Our neighborhood is called « Tidrine », which means « little house » in Berber. We enjoy a peaceful atmosphere in nature in the heart of Berber culture, only 1.5 km from the city centre and markets. You can reach the city center easily in just 15 minutes, walking through the lush oasis. Or by car, it is a 5 minute drive. If you do not have vehicle, there are plenty of collective and private taxis available for transport. Guest access When you are at La Maisonnette, you are at home. You will have access to the shared salon, library, terraces, garden, and oasis. During your stay We are happy to interact with our guests, offer advice about things to discover in the region, or share our perspectives of Berber culture and the place over a glass of tea (or wine) and conversation. We are available for any request, and will be respectful of your privacy and space. Other things to note THINGS TO DO: The spectacular view is probably the most beloved feature of our home, and is ideal for relaxing with a book on the terraces, or in the shade of the garden. But if you want to explore, and discover the local culture, there are oasis walks through small villages and fields, trekking through the gorges and mountains of the nomads, local artisans to visit, home cooking courses, picnics by the river, donkey rides for kids, shopping in the local markets, and much more … it's up to you! Just 15 km from the Todgha Gorges, famous for it’s stunning geology and rock climbing, an 1hr drive from the Dadès Gorges, and 2.5hr from golden dunes and camel treks of Merzouga, La Maisonnette’s location is a perfect departure point to explore Morocco’s southern region. ———————— LOCAL ACTIVITIES: We can offer advice, or lead, a large range of outdoor activities for adults and children. Walking through the oasis and the surrounding hills is a pleasure worth indulging in. You will also experience a taste of Berber village life as you pass through the many local villages or meander in local markets. You can explore on your own, or our guides are happy to offer different treks and climbing excursions to suit all levels of fitness, and duration. Discover the Ikaline Mosque of Afanour, and the old medina and Jewish Quarter of Tinghir, and marvel at the architecture, all of which are being restored with traditional Berber methods and local materials. You can even visit the inside the Ikaline mosque, a rare treat to find in Morocco!! The fabled village of Imichil and it’s annual Wedding Festival is only 1.5 hours away. Or you can tour the Salt Mine of Aït Lahcen with its’ green, red, and white rock salt crystals sparkling in the sun, and descend 30m down into the mine to see how the salt is harvested and transported. Imiter, home of the largest silver mine in Africa, is just nearby, and you can search for bargains on handcrafted silver jewelry, and other local treasures, in the Tinghir medina. It is also possible to visit local artisan cooperatives like the ceramic association in nearby El’Hart, or even meet local women weaving carpets in their homes. ———————————— COURSES & ACTIVITIES AT HOME: At home we can offer cooking courses, henna, yoga, bivouc and private parties, complete with local Berber music in our salon. This year we are also offering fully customizable retreats for groups and families. Contact us directly for details. Mustapha, the chef and warm host offers cooking courses. If you wish, you can accompany him to the market to get fresh seasonal and local products used to prepare a variety of typical Moroccan dishes, such as alfalfa couscous, lamb and prune tagine, or local Berber breads. Each course includes the shopping, cooking instruction, and sharing the prepared meal together. Stacey, of this Modern Nomad, a Yoga Alliance certified RYT 500, leads 90 minute yoga sessions on the terrace overlooking the oasis, upon request. You can enjoy an invigorating Vinyasa sunrise session, or wind down with a relaxing Yin session at sunset. (24 hour advanced reservation required.) We are also happy to accompany you to a traditional hammam with the locals, nothing fancy, just a simple and authentic experience. Or invite la baraka into your lives being adorned with original designs by local henna artists in the comfort of our home. There are infinite ways to discover the region, and truly immerse yourself in the riches of Berber culture, or just relax in our peaceful oasis home!! --------------------- GROUPS & FAMILIES: Groups of friends or families with children are WARMY WELCOME at home. La Maisonnette is especially suitable for group vacations, as our house is an adaptable space. There is plenty of room in the salon, library, or large terraces to share time with loved ones, or to find a secluded nook in which to pass quiet time for yourself. The 2 connected rooms of the Garden Suite are equipped with a double and a single bed each. It is possible to convert one room into a children's dormitory, or add a baby bed. Just ask! We can also help you design a customized retreat/ itinerary for your group or family using La Maisonnette as a home base to explore the southern region, enjoy local activities, the Berber culture and amazing landscape. We offer a 10% discount for stays of 3 nights or more, as well as, weekly and monthly discounted rates. Please inquire for details. -------------------- THE SEASONS: Morocco is often called a “cold country with a hot sun", and you can feel why. Sometimes the temperature can vary greatly from the sunshine to the shade! Morocco’s climate has been compared to the Mediterranean climate of California, and year round, we enjoy clear skies and sun. The summers are generally hot and arid, and the winters are cold and wet. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 37°F (3°C) to 97°F (37°C) and is rarely below 32°F (0°C) or above 100°F (38°C) In Febrary, almond trees are blooming, days are sunny and evenings are brisk. In March and April, as the weather warms, the apricot, peach and pomegranate trees are blanketed with flowers. It is the perfect weather to do as you like. In May, we have perfect spring weather with mildly warm days and cool evenings, with the occasional spring showers. In June, July and August, it is hot, hotter, and the hottest  … but in our house, as mud walls are thick, it is much cooler. The summer season is a time for siestas in the day, and late night stargazing on our rooftops and terraces. Sometimes there are even summers storms that cool off oasis and make the air super fresh. This is also the season of figs and melons, and various nuts. By mid September, the hot days begin to subside, and by October/ November, we enjoy the coming of autumn to the oasis, and the harvesting of olives, dates, pomegranates and vegetables.  December and January, days are sunny with clear skies, but the temperature drops at sunset, and you will need a good pull over and socks when its gets cold! Clementines are is season at this time, and are the sweetest we’ve ever tasted!!. -------------------- Any other questions about your trip, Morocco, or La Maisonnette? Just ask! We are happy to help!