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08-04-2009, 09:41 AM
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#1 | | Registred User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1
|  booking advice from UK
I am planning to go to Morocco at the end of September.
I have been busy booking hotels in Fez and Marrakesh ( we start in Fez and end up in Marrakesh) but I have been wondering to what extent I should book ahead for the intermediate part of the holiday, Between Fez and Marrakesh.
We want to go Erg Chebbi for one night and the dades/todra gorges. Is it possible to wing it and find accommodation when we are there ? Or is it better to try to sort every step out in England before we go ?
Is it better to stay in Erfoud or Merzouga ? And is it advisable to go with a tour from Fez for a trip to the desert ?
It all seems a bit vague to me and reserving is not easy. Incidentally, any recommended hotels in Marrakesh ?
Regards
Jackd | 
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08-05-2009, 12:03 AM
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#2 | | Registred User
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Denmark
Posts: 44
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Hey Jack and welcome to GM 
I think booking hotels in Fez and Marrakesh is a good decision. However you don't need to book in advance for all the intermediate places. there's hotels everywhere and I will be surprised they will be booked in full due to the economy + beginning of the off season.
Merzouga is a beautiful experience where you can enjoy Sunrise/sunset over the dunes. Folk dances and black G'naui music...
There are about 50 small hotels of varying categories along the sand dunes, and most of them own camels or can at least arrange your trip into the dunes. here's the list with contacts just in case you have direct questions or decided to book in advance: Quote:
* Auberge Berberes, ☎ +212.6810.3178 (auberge_berberes@yahoo.fr), [1]. Located right on the edge of the dunes, offering single, double and triple rooms. €20-30 per person, breakfast and dinner included.
* Auberge du Sud, ☎ +212.66121.6166 (aubergedusud@gmail.com, fax: +212.3557.8631), [2]. On the edge of the dunes, all rooms come with private bathroom. Swimming pool, camel safaris. €15-40 per person, breakfast and dinner included.
* Auberge Les Dunes D'or, ☎ +212.6135.0665 (reservation@aubergedunesdor.com, fax: +212.3557.7146), [3].
* Auberge Oasis, Hassi Labiad, ☎ +212.6173.9041, [4]. 15€.
* Auberge Sahara Hotel, Ksar Hassi Labiad, ☎ +212.3557.7039, Mobile:+212.6676.6355 (info@auberge-sahara-merzouga.com, fax: +212.3557.7303), [5]. Clean hotel in a oasis at the edge of erg chebbi sand dunes run by flexible staff. Swimming pool, restaurant, free parking, and a variety of accommodation options including camping under palm trees. Camel safaris and various trips around the area can be arranged.
* Chez Julia, ☎ +212.3557.3182, Mobile +212.7018.1360. Spotless clean, very friendly French/English/German speaking staff, great meals (tajines can be shared). From 130dh..
* Dar el Khamlia, Ksar Khamlia, ☎ +212.7091.4351 (info@khamliahouse.com), [6]. Dar el Khamlia is just outside of Merzouga, offering lodging for those who like to be more near the local people. Comfortable rooms, meals included. Camel trekking into dunes, excursions by 4x4, pick up at airport Errachidia, Ouarzazate or Marrakesh.
* Desert Fish, ☎ +212.7208.5113. Right next to the sand dunes. A bivouac with a space to eat and relax and very nice, comfortable Berber tents. The place is managed by some very friendly, young boys. The Berber tents are nice and clean, there are three good showers, the food is good, they play live Gnaoua music after dinner.
* Haven La Chance Desert Hotel, Hassi Lybed, ☎ +212.3557.7269 +212.6859.9340 (info@desert-hotel.com), [7]. Modern, comfortable hotel right next to the sand dunes and palm trees. Most rooms are en-suite, Berber tents for the more adventurous. Singles / doubles with en-suite toilet and shower. The owners also run a tour company that can organize tours around Morocco for individuals, families and small groups. €25-50 with half board.
* Hotel Yasmina, ☎ +212.3557.6783 (yasminadesert@yahoo.fr, fax: +212.3577.4071), [8]. Yasmina is located right on the bottom of the dunes of Erg Chebbi, on a hill with great views of the dunes. Pool, on site restaurant and camel safaris. from €20-45 per person, breakfast and dinner included.
* Ksar Bicha, ☎ +212.5355.77113 (info@ksarbicha.com, fax: +212.5355.73410). A traditional, family-run kasbah with views of the dunes from the roof terrace. En suite rooms arranged around two plant-filled courtyards. English, French, Spanish, German and Italian are spoken. (31°06.438,W004°00.635)
* Les Portes du Desert, ☎ +212.7369.4601 (lesportesdudesert@free.fr, fax: +212.3557.7930), [9]. A comfortable hotel decorated in a mix of Arabesque, Andalusian and European styles. Pool, on site restaurant, and camel safaris. €26-50 per person, breakfast and dinner included.
* Morocco Sahara, El Bourki Lhou, Hassilabied, ☎ +212.1560.5886 (info@moroccosahara.net), [10]. Made-to-measure camel trekking and tours of the dunes and wadis, sleeping in furnished traditional Berber tents. Camel tours of from 1 to 8 days and more, in groups or individually with a sensitive and knowledgable guide/camel driver from a traditional nomad family. Sleep in Berber and Tuareg encampments or in seclusion. Tailored service. Comfortable clean tents, some with sprung mattress beds. Great traditional food.
* Nasser Palace, Ksar Hassilabied, ☎ +212.7078.0028 (info@nasserpalace.com, fax: +212.3557.8010), [11]. Nasser Palace is a hotel with swimming pool and spa located on the dunes of Merzouga. 20 rooms with private toilets, bivouac and camel trekkings on Sahara dunes. €25-45 per person including breakfast and dinner.
| I will ask a friend of mine, a travel advisor for more details about the rest of your questions and keep you posted.
Hope this helps | |
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08-05-2009, 12:42 AM
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#3 | | Morocco Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Casa // Miami
Posts: 977
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Merzouga is a very small town and rather rustic, whereas Erfoud is a small city that is much more 'developed'. Merzouga is right at the edge of the dunes, wheres Erfoud is about 30+ minutes drive. If you're interested in going into the dunes, I suggest staying at an Auberge at the edge of the dunes -- Sarah listed most of them Erfoud Rissani Derkaoua are aprox in the same area; half day will be enough to reach the sahara from Dades. Don't overnight in Erfoud or Rissani as there is nothing to see except the (red houses and the dust along the streets). Merzouga is definitely more cool than Erfoud. It's very primitive - really feels surreal. In terms of the desert trip, you have to be a bit careful, as everyone is trying to sell you their trip and apparently there are some fake guides. such experience could be easily avoided with some more direct questions. I will suggest you go through the hotel you will be staying in to make sure you know the sleeping arrangements and the person will be with you the whole way. If you want to have a private guide who go with you into the desert and camp overnight with you, build a fire, cooked dinner etc. and speak English.
On positive reviews Kasbah Mohayut, I will recommend Kasbah Mohayut. which is right in the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. the hotel is pretty clean and the dinner is good. the next night the hotel could arrange for a camel trek into the desert. camping overnight in the desert,
You can find more reviews about it on Kasbah Mohayut Merzouga Hotel - Reviews and Rates - TravelPod and other websites.
Last edited by Abdel; 08-05-2009 at 02:44 AM.
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