LOOK NO FURTHER! This is the best TOUR of Morocco
Morocco | May 9 - May 18, 2022

Birgid
Birgid M.
Canada | Reviewed on May 19, 2022

I've been eager to write this post - and I usually don't review anything at length (if at all!) BUT, this experience requires it - and I hope it helps you decide.
If you do this trip with Morocco Immersion thru KimKim, WITH SHARON - you will have NO disappointments!
PEOPLE: 1. from the first contact I had with Sharon, I was hooked.
I messaged Sharon with some quick, random questions and she was quick to reply. She replied to everything I asked - promptly, generously and courteously. She was patient and answered the smallest concerns I had. She focussed on designing the trip I wanted and was hoping for. (The trip with Morocco Immersion is not a "pre-planned, 8 other people we didn't know with varying agendas" joining us.
It was designed for us.) And it was reasonably priced which made me skeptical at first!
SHARON totally knows what she's doing!
2. Our driver: SALLAM - He was THE BEST. Really. He's young - yet knew his country, its history, the places we were going, and was proud of his own culture while being super respectful of ours. Sallam was welcoming and always attentive to our questions and needs. He was an excellent driver over some 2500km in 10 days - and was always stopping at all the best look-outs before I even asked! He met with us regularly to make sure we had everything we needed and knew what was coming up next. He was friendly, humourous, and engaged. Great guide! Highly recommended!
3. Our tour guides: in Marrakech, The Sahara and Taroudant knew their landscape, the history and the best places to get authentic food, pottery, jewelry, leather-wear, carptes, argon oil, saffron - you name it. They worked hard at being welcoming and informative. STELLAR guides.
FOOD: My husband and I are foodies. The experience of drinking daily mint tea (poured properly with bubbles ;-)), eating tagines and even street food from vendors, was awesome. We tried lots of different things, including fresh fish in Essaouiria - bought by us and then grilled in the fish market right before our eyes. We often had fresh squeezed, "any kind of fruit juice" right in the markets we visited.
Our ACCOMODATIONS were a mix of luxury to 'comfortable with other types of conveniences'. Our rooms were always clean, with private washrooms and tiled floors and walls. The riads were both historically interesting and visually appealing. We drank it all in! The luxury accomodations we had, sometimes with dinner included, were worth writing home about. The bedding was always crisp and clean. Lovely. (We did the luxury Sahara camp on our trip - it was one of the highlights of our trip for reasons that would be apparent if you go.)
OVER-ALL - I know this is a long review, but I totally recommend Sharon, Sallam and 'Morroco Immersion' even to people who have had no previous interest in going to Morocco!
It was a trip of a lifetime - and worth every penny we spent.

Hotel Reviews
Riad al Rimal
Marrakech

The room, though a little small, was visually appealing. The furniture was exotic ... the layout was interesting, the food delicious and the maze of hallways and corners to sit, read, nap and drink tea on the roof-top, were very luxurious. It was a quiet, safe, lovely riad. (They have a small pool which we cooled off in every day. I saw someone complain about the water being cold. ??? It was. And it was perfect after a long, hot day on the walking tour and in the souks.)

Tips for future travelers

Enjoy the perks of this exotic riad. Take time to cozy up in a corner to drink tea or linger over a converstaion. It has great places to 'be'.

Authenticity & Character
Lots of corners to sit, hide, read, nap and drink tea. Beautiful exotic deco.
Location
Hidden in a maze of alleys and yet incredibly beautiful and safe.
Staff
Sometimes we knocked at the wrong door or found ourselves on the wrong floor. Staff was always smiling and ready to help.
Cleanliness & Comfort
LOVED the clean, crisp sheets.
Chez Ichou
Dades Gorge

We arrived at what looked like a riad out on the main road along our journey. The inside was stellar! The decor was clean, with green plants everywhere and lovely, private decks out back overlooking the ravine. The dining room was intimate and welcoming. The rooms were large and the bedding crisp and clean. It was a beautiful two night stop. (Food was amazing!0

Tips for future travelers

Make sure to have a meal at this locale. Linger on the terrace before dinner with a mint tea (or glass of wine.) Don't rush. It is a wonderful, restful riad.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It's kinda in the middle of nowhere - but close to a bunch of attractions if you have a driver or are on a tour.
Staff
The waiters were super friendly, smiling and eager to please. Just a joy to meet and be taken care of by.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palais des Dunes Luxury Camp
Merzouga

From the moment you arrive you are served hot mint tea and are treated to pampering and care by the staff. The camp is visually appealing - with colour, lighting and outdoor seating areas. The inside is comfortable and clean. It's in the desert - yet had a private toilet and shower! (What?) It was a little warm inside, but did NOT feel like camping! It was luxury in the desert.

Tips for future travelers

Stay up late to watch the sun go down and stars come out. Get up before sunrise and climb a dune to watch sun up. It's spectacular. Wear sandals - not shoes. The sand is cool in the morning. Have a shower when you get there and dress up a little for dinner. It feels like you're in a great, romantic movie. <3

Authenticity & Character
You travel over an hour by camel to get the camp. While there are other camps nearby, the way the camps are set up allows you to feel private once you arrive. The attention to detail: the lighting, evening fire and music, the dinner (3 courses+), and the welcoming tea and cookies was really inviting.
Location
The list of what I liked is too long. It was pretty perfect.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Because it was in the desert - the accomodation deserve a 5 star - but it isn't quite the same as being in a riad with tiled floors and walls. It was more than great - but also not a 'building'. It's a fabulous tent!
Kasbah Itrane Tamnougalt
Tamnougalt

This stop was probably my favourite. (Other than the Sahara camp ... Also my favourite!) The kasbah was old, clean and inviting (with oranges right on the trees in the courtyard). We had a traditional band playing the night we were there. The building is historic and exotic. The outdoor dining area over-looks a palm grove. The indoor dining area is beautifully romantic, and the pool overlooks the mountains. What's not to like? The rooms were very large, with working wifi and airconditioning. The beds were comfortable and the linens were clean and crisp. Perfect stop.

Tips for future travelers

Be sure to tour the near-by kasbah if you have time. It has a rich history and is still inhabited by locals. Also - take time and don't rush. Enjoy the views from outdoor dining area and share a drink or meal in the late afternoon when things are slowing down.

Authenticity & Character
Location
There are mountains to the north and a palm grove to the south. The building itself requires time to stare at and explore.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
This kasbah was historically and visually rich. It was a lovely stop on a sunny afternoon with a warm breeze. Would gladly go again!
Riad Taroudant
Taroudant

So - the upstairs terrace was really lovely. The rooms were dated and a little uncomfortable - but clean! We had a fellow guest's dog - unleashed - nip the back of my husband's leg while we were there so I think that kinda threw us off of our experience of this riad. (It was 'fine' - clean and safe... but not overly appealing otherwise.)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
This riad was inside the old city, easy to access and in a safe neighbourhoood. It was more than enough for a one night stay. Breakfast was great. The view from the roof of the Atlas Mountains was lovely.
Riad Maison Du Sud
Essaouira

This riad is right in the hub of the old, inner city, nestled in the maze of souks and cafes. It has two or three sitting/dining areas that are exotic and well deocorated with artwork - modern and historic. The plants and lighting create a romantic, intimate mood to have a drink, a tea or cozy up for a good conversation.

Authenticity & Character
Beautifully decorated - a combination of modern art and historic deco.
Location
Perfect inner city location without much noise.
Staff
Polite and helpful - not as super friendly as other places we stayed.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The breaker in our room blew a couple of times but someone promptly attended to it. The wenting in the bathroom was poor.
Local specialist: Sharon Louthian
Sharon
Sharon Louthian
Local specialist in US and Morocco | Replied on May 20, 2022

Thank you, Birgid, for such an amazing review! We are so glad that you had such a great trip! It sounds to me that you left with a little bit of Morocco imprinted on your soul like I did the first time that I visited and that makes us all so happy. And of course, we now consider you part of the family, so we hope that you keep in touch with us!

Thanks again for the review and for trusting us to show you the magic of Morocco!
Sharon, Sallam, and the rest of the Morocco Immersion Family