Change of Ownership for Dar Tassa Eco Lodge

Back in 2009 The View from Fez was fortunate enough to be guests at the wonderful Dar Tassa Eco Lodge located an hour and a half from Marrakech (see our story here). Now we have news that the lodge has been sold to an English tour operator, Specialist Morocco

Dar Tassa, is an eco-friendly mountain lodge tucked away in a superb location on the edge of Toubkal National Park and sleeps a total of 21 people in eight rooms, each furnished in a rustic Berber country style. Rooms are available to rent individually or groups can take over the entire property; ideal for celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, Christmas or New Year.

Dar Tassa has a resident manager, Mohamed Ouarra, who spent much of 2012 looking after the property. Prior to that, he was trained and employed at Riad Africa, also owned by Specialist Morocco and located in central Marrakech in the Medina. Dar Tassa still retains the services of  the highly-skilled, in-house cook, Fatima, who prepares traditional Berber and Moroccan meals.

Nick Anstead, founder of Specialist Morocco says: “Dar Tassa is a wonderful property in a dramatic location. It is completely off the beaten track in a hidden corner of the High Atlas Mountains yet offers superb walking for all levels of ability; from gentle strolls along the valley to more challenging treks from the front door all the way to Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa.

“We will be refurbishing some of the rooms and adding a plunge pool and two family suites over the coming months. It is currently a comfortable mountain lodge but we want to put it on a par with our two properties in Marrakech, Riad Africa and Maison Africa, which we consider to be two of the most authentic and best value riads in the Old City. The operating of all three properties will be overseen by British ex-pat Peter Mercer, from our Marrakech office.”

Other facilities at Dar Tassa include a large panoramic terrace surrounded by high peaks with views of the tranquil Azzadene valley and Assif n’Ouissadene river, a Berber tent for afternoon siestas; a traditional Beldi hammam, a lounge and dining room – with open fires for winter evenings, a purpose-built kitchen for cookery classes and even a telescope for star-gazing in the often crystal-clear skies over the mountains.

Activities that can be arranged by Specialist Morocco include private guided day walks (with overnight accommodation for longer High Atlas treks), small group treks, 4x4 discovery tours, buggy adventures, quad and mountain biking.

For those who previously experienced the beauty of Dar Tassa, be aware that prices have climbed somewhat. A three-night ‘Atlas Experience’ costs from £289 pp (based on 4 sharing). This includes three nights’ half-board, private transfers to and from Marrakech, a guided day walk with lunch in Toubkal National Park plus a half-day Berber experience tour.

For further information, visit specialistmorocco.com
All photographs: Sandy McCutcheon 

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