#1243 Premium
The Rose House - fabulous Berber house in the High Atlas
House • Boumalne Dades Morocco
Exchange types accepted
Statistics
Listed January 2019
Views 5596
General overview
The Rose House is in a magical location half-way up the Dades Valley in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, with lovely views of the mountains and lush green valley below. It's a great base for trips to the Sahara Desert or further into the mountains, and for hiking. The house is unique and very beautiful, and our friends in the village will give you the warmest welcome. Our previous home exchangers have loved the fact that their stay has been a wonderful cultural experience, in addition to the mountain scenery and the house itself. PLEASE NOTE: NO STAYS LESS THAN 4 NIGHTS.
Some previous reviews: "We loved staying at Rose House. It's a beautiful house, decorated throughout in traditional Moroccan style, with great views from the terrace. It's a good base for exploring the Dades Valley, Todras Gorge and Rose Valley. All are lovely areas. We had a wonderful dinner at Chez Pierre in the village and the hotel owners are delightfully helpful. Helen was incredibly helpful when we were planning our trip through Morocco and she recommended amazing places for us to visit and stay. It really helps to have local knowledge. We had a wonderful time." (Dorothy and Neil, Scotland)
"We had a wonderful couple of weeks at the Rose House. Michael and Helen gave us excellent help and advice in the planning stages and whilst in the village Ismael's family went the extra mile in terms of kindness and hospitality. The Rose house is a small work of art. We particularly enjoyed the roof terrace and making our own tagines. We went on a couple of tours to the desert and the Valley of the Roses which were both excellent. Most of the time we just did our own thing. We enjoyed seeing the women drying the figs; walking in the gardens; photographing the amazing rock formations; star gazing; lounging at Chez Pierre... The village may be simple but it has enormous sophistication in terms of the way people treat each other. It's the same with the food - very simple, but the quality of the vegetables, fruit and spices far exceeds what we have at home. We returned to the UK feeling healthier and happier. We highly recommend an exchange with Helen and Michael. (Rob, Hereford UK)
"Quel séjour magnifique nous avons passé dans la villa rose ! C'est une maison typiquement berbère décorée dans le style raffiné de la région. Nous avons profité de sa spacieuse terrasse ensoleillée avec vue sur les montagnes pour prendre nos déjeuners et pour nous reposer. Merci à Mickaël et Helen de nous avoir permis de découvrir cette fantastique région du Maroc, les gorges du Dadès ; grâce à leur ami Ismaïl nous avons pu parcourir la vallée des roses, et apprécier l'accueil et la gentillesse des Berbères. Un merveilleux voyage dont on se souviendra longtemps." (Sylvie, France)
"Che esperienza meravigliosa! Il Marocco è stato un viaggio pieno di sorprese, per i paesaggi differenti, dal deserto alle più alte montagne. La popolazione accogliente, disponibile a consigli e aiuti. La casa rosa di Michael e Helen ci ha accolti come un'oasi. Magnifica casa berbera, con ogni sorta di comodità per farti sentire a tuo agio. Helen e Michael sono stati accoglienti , ci hanno fornito informazioni e consigli davvero preziosi. Chez Pierre, nelle gorges, è stato il luogo degli incontri e del relax di lusso, davvero piacevole incontrare Ismail e la sua organizzazione. Colazioni degne di un re, cene ottime , una piscina dove posare i corpi caldi e stanche dopo i tour. Tutto in un'oasi di verde e silenzio.Insomma, tutto perfetto nelle Gorges di Dades. E in tutto il viaggio per il Marocco in moto. Grazie. (Maria, Italy)
The space
Superb location for trekking, walking, mountain-biking, bird-watching or just relaxing in the High Atlas Mountains; located in the heart of a typical Berber village with lots of opportunities to meet local people with whom we are in close contact - you are guaranteed a warm welcome. It is in the small village of in Ait Oudinar, on the older and quieter side known as Izerwal.
The Rose House is a traditional earthen house restored and updated but maintaining its historical style. At the same time all the comforts of home are here with up-to-date plumbing, heating and electrical systems. There is also wi-fi, and a TV (not live) and DVD player for watching films or box sets. The thick, well-insulated walls keep the house cool in summer and easy to heat in the winter. The setting is very tranquil - you can often hear only the sounds of the river and birdsong.
The house has a large double salon, and a cosy winter salon with fireplace for log fires when the weather is cold. There is a TV with DVD player, but no live TV connection. The kitchen is modern and equipped with a gas cooker (no oven) and various appliances (juicer, toaster, kettle, microwave), next to a large dining room which can seat up to 10 people.
There are 3 bedrooms: the master bedroom, with king-size bed, and an en-suite shower room; one double bedroom; and one twin bedroom. The double and twin rooms share a large bathroom. All bedrooms have plenty of wardrobe space and shelving to store clothes, and there is a hairdryer in each room. There is also a double sofa bed in the study (this has no door, so is only suitable for children, teenagers or young adults). Downstairs there is a separate WC and utility room with an automatic washing machine, ironing board and iron. There is a clothes line on the roof terrace, clothes usually dry very quickly!
One of the most attractive features of the house is an extensive roof terrace (with in-built barbecue) for al fresco dining and relaxing, with fantastic views along the valley and surrounding mountains, and fabulous opportunities for star-gazing at night (no light pollution!). The terrace can be lit at night, and there are wrought-iron lamps - it has the most wonderful ambience.
We also have a secure garage just a few metres from the house if you want to park your car or motorbike.
Home exchangers are also welcome to use the outdoor swimming pools at the Eden Boutique Hotel, set in lovely gardens, for free. Eden is 15 minutes drive from the Rose House, usually a transfer can be arranged if you don't have your own car..
A guide to the house is also provided, with lots of information about practicalities, but also about things to do and see while you are staying there. The Rose House is at an altitude of 1650m, so it can be cold at night and in the early morning November-March, but is usually very pleasant in the day, even in mid-winter (can be 18C-22C). In summer it is a bit cooler than the cities like Marrakech and Fez, but with climate change it can still be 40C: please note, the house does not have air conditioning or central heating. There is a fan over the bed in the master bedroom, and there are radiators to use around the house in winter.
We are very happy to help you plan your trip to Morocco and tell you about possible activities from the Rose House. As well as activities like hiking or trekking with mules into the mountains, or donkey rides for the kids, we can arrange for you to visit (even stay with) nomad families, go to the hammam (steam bath), have your hands and feet painted with henna by some local women who are wonderful artists, or have Moroccan cookery lessons. We also know most of Morocco, and if you want to tour the country, we can give lots of advice about this as well, and recommend high-quality transport and accommodations.
When to visit: the high seasons in Morocco are 15 March-15 May and 15 September-15 November, because the climate is at its best then. Easter holidays are very popular but also very busy. We and our friends have also enjoyed lovely holidays there in August, when the mountains are somewhat cooler than Marrakech or other cities; October and November have been extremely pleasant when we have visited then; Christmas-New Year, when it is cold at night but usually very pleasant during the day; and February, which is perhaps our favourite season - the nights are not so cold, there is usually still snow on the mountain tops, and the almond trees are in blossom - wonderful for photography and painting.
The house is our second home, so we can offer non-simultaneous exchanges.
Guest access
The house is accessed by a rather steep footpath from the road, and a set of steps to the front porch. There is a ground floor, stairs to the first floor, and stairs to the lovely roof terrace.
The keys will be collected from Eden Boutique Hotel, on the way to the Rose House from Boumalne, and someone will come with you to show you the house.
Notes
We aren't interested in exchanging for a home in the US or Canada as we already have family there, but we might of course consider globes.
Please note that we do NOT exchange for periods of less than 4 nights - it is not for use as a 1 or 2-night stopping-over point on the way from the Dades Valley to the Sahara Desert. This is because there are no commercial cleaning/changeover services in the area, and we rely on friends to do this for us.
Also the night-time temperatures at Christmas and New Year can be extremely cold in the mountains, and the house does not have central heating. There are small electric radiators, and a log fire in the winter salon, but you do need to prepare for the cold!
Do please note the house is in a remote region of Africa!!! Occasionally there are power or water cuts on Sunday mornings till 1pm for the maintenance of the mains supplies - these are not always forewarned. And very occasionally things don't work, but our friends are always on hand to put things right as soon as possible. Dust the great enemy in Morocco, so tiling has got stained over the years since renovation in 2010, but the house will be perfectly clean for your arrival. We will also pay for the house to be cleaned after your departure, so please don't worry about that, enjoy your whole stay. Accidents happen, but please please please just let us know if anything is broken, as some things can be very difficult to replace locally.
Features
Washer
Microwave
Fridge
Iron
Hair dryer
Heating
TV
WiFi
Bathtub
First aid kit
Smoke alarms
Bed sheets
Towels
Workspace
Fireplace
BBQ
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
Covered porch / verandah
Travel Styles
Weekend
Adventure
Family
Romantic
Sport and leisure
Relaxing
Eco
Village
Mountains
Hiking
House rules
Suitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets not allowed
No smoking
Allergens
Cat free
Dog free
Smoke free
Fragrance free
Dates of Availability
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Neighbourhood
The Rose House in the Dades Valley, 25km north of Boumalne Dades, is the perfect place for travellers to discover the real Morocco. In 2000, we came to Morocco together for the first time, and fell in love with the country – its cities, its mountains, its deserts – and the Berber people, with their tremendous warmth and hospitality. Since then, we have returned many times, and have now leased and renovated an old Berber house, ‘Tadart Taourdiyt’ (‘The Rose House’), in the calm of the lush Dades Valley. This is a very beautiful area to explore, but also the perfect centre for 4x4 excursions and trekking into the High Atlas or the Sahara Desert, just half a day’s drive away.
The Rose House is about 7 hours drive (by car, bus or taxi) on the main road from Marrakech, over the Tiz-n-Tichka pass of the High Atlas, a very beautiful journey. An even better introduction to the mountains is to have a 4x4 trip to the Rose House on the old caravan route, taking in the famous and spectacular Telouet Kasbah, stronghold of the ancient Glaoui tribe, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou, and much dramatic scenery on the way. There is also an airport at Ouarzazate, 2.5 hours drive from the Rose House.
Near the Rose House, local beauty spots you can look up in your guide books are the 'Monkey's Fingers' and 'The Tortoise' (spectacular rock formations, possibility of walks through canyons), the Dades Gorges, the Valley of the Roses (near El Kelaa M'Goun) and the Valley of the Apples (near Msemrir). On Saturdays there is a traditional country market up at Msemrir, a totally different experience from the tourist-oriented markets in the big cities!
The Rose House is situated in the village of Ait Oudinar, amidst dramatic mountain scenery bordering the river and its lush fields. It is also in one of the most important bird-watching areas of Morocco, with many migratory birds passing through the local area in April and October.
We are extremely lucky to be just 15 minutes drive from the 5* hotel-restaurant Eden Boutique Hotel, offering some of the finest cuisine in Morocco. The chef cooks sublime French-Moroccan fusion food which ought to deserve a Michelin star, and the warmth of welcome from the owners is wonderful. There is also a swimming pool and lovely gardens that you will be welcome to use, and a hammam spa service you can book. There are several other auberges in walking distance from the house. It's best to call in or phone/WhatsApp and book by lunchtime at local auberges if you want to dine that night.
There are a couple of small grocery stores in the village selling basic packaged goods, plus a bread bakery 20 minutes walk down the road in Ait Idir. In the local town of Boumalne (30 minutes drive) you can buy meat and fresh vegetables, also there are small supermarkets and bakeries, and all amenities - banks, post office, petrol station, hospital and health services. The staff at Eden Boutique Hotel can organise donkey rides for kids, mule trekking, Moroccan cookery lessons, hiking guides, 4x4 excursions, desert trips etc. for you.
There is the opportunity to hire a locally-based 4x4 driver and guide to take you off-road to follow ancient caravan routes, through mountain villages and nomad camps. You can do day-trips or longer tours. Go trekking on foot, with mules, or by camel - you can go mountain-biking too. There is also rock-climbing in the Todhra Gorge, 1 hour from the Rose House. On the way, experience the delights of Morocco’s cuisine, learn about its traditions from a Berber guide, and lose yourself in its music and dance. Arrangements can be made to meet you on your arrival at Marrakech, Agadir, Ouarzazate or any other location. Check out Sahara Atlas Tours via www.saharaatlastours.com - we highly recommend this small family business.
Getting to my home
The Rose House is about 7 hours drive (by car, bus or taxi) on the main road from Marrakech, over the Tiz-n-Tichka pass of the High Atlas, a very beautiful journey. An even better introduction to the mountains is to have a 4x4 trip to the Rose House on the old caravan route, taking in the famous and spectacular Telouet Kasbah, stronghold of the ancient Glaoui tribe, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou, and much dramatic scenery on the way.
If you are coming from Fes, it's a 2-day road trip via the Sahara Desert at Merzouga.
There is also an airport at Ouarzazate, 2.5 hours drive from the Rose House.
Nearest airport
Ouarzazate 2.5 hours
Marrakech 7 hours (nice stopover in Ait Ben Haddou if you want to break the journey)
Agadir 9 hours (stopovers possible in Taroudant or Taliouine to break the journey)
Fes 2 days
Getting around
There are collective taxi services through the village to Boumalne, where you can get buses to Marrakech or Merzouga (Sahara Desert).
Our friends in the village can arrange private taxi services and 4x4 excursions.
Hire a car (be careful, not always reliable in Morocco! And can be as expensive as booking a 4x4 with driver-guide)
It is a half day's drive from the Sahara Desert, for the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. We can help you arrange a desert camp and camel trekking there. From Merzouga you can travel on to Fes in 1 day.
The Rose House is 30 minutes drive up the Dades Valley from the main town of Boumalne Dades, which has all main amenities and ATMs.
Map of Approximate Location
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People Like Us Local Guide
If we are at the house we will gladly act as friends. If we are not, we will put you in touch with our friends in the local village who will welcome you and help you explore the local area.
Feedback
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Premium
Michael and Helen
We are a retired couple, and have had 14 years and 43 very successful exchanges with another home exchange service.
Michael was a history teacher, and he can now devote much of his time to his passion, black and white photography. Helen was a university professor who likes to learn languages. We both love art and nature.
We really enjoy travelling, mainly in Europe and also sometimes to the UK countryside, as well as in our beloved Morocco. We love places in the countryside where we can go hiking and horse-riding; mountains; sometimes the sea; and places of historical interest. We also like a few days' break in cities with lots of cultural interest. We offer our home exchangers lots of help to plan their visit to Morocco, and we like it best when we can exchange with people who really want to engage with and embrace the wonderful Berber culture of the region. We can guarantee that, if you stay at the Rose House, you will not just have a holiday, you will have a truly beautiful experience.
Travelling group
Desired Destinations
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