Kimkim Trip Reviews for Morocco

Morocco was one of our most memorable trips! The booking process and itinerary suggestions that Megan provided were great. All of the Riads and hotels were really nice. We were able to visit all of our points of interest, plus some additional suggestions that we wouldn't of thought of. A wonderful thing about the trip was having a private driver to take us between destinations securely and private guides in the cities to provide facts and details of Moroccan culture. We enjoyed having this experience without being in a group tour. Our driver Aziz really looked out for us and made sure our local guides and hotel staff were able to accommodate our schedule. He was able to make the trip worry free. It was a relief to know that all of the travel would be taken care of. We highly recommend Aziz and Megan if you plan on traveling to Morocco. We look forward to booking another trip!

This was a wonderfully organized trip. We would have never seen as much of the country without KimKim and Original Travels help. Our only negative is that the trip cost more than our requested budget but we could have eliminated some items so that is on us.
Our driver, Ilyace, was the heart and soul of our trip. He was extremely knowledgeable, personable and it was very fun spending long hours in the car with him. He was an excellent driver and we always felt safe with him, even on the crazy one lane, winding roads.
Our guide for the tour in Fes, Hafid, was fine but we felt the emphasis of the tour was to sell us local crafts, not experience Fes. We felt way too much pressure to make purchases.
Hanan, our guide for the Marrakech half day tour and the food tour, was excellent. She was very knowledgeable, kind and we enjoyed spending time with her. She answered many questions about local customs. The food tour was fun as we tried several items we would not have tried otherwise.

Hotel Reviews

Inara Desert Camp

Marrakech

This was one of our favorite nights. The Glamping was amazing. We enjoyed the pool, camel ride, fancy (and delicious) dinner in the outdoor tent. The sleeping tent was above and beyond our expectations with shower and bathroom included in the tent and 5 star linens!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

This was the smallest Riad we stayed in and we loved it. The location was central to everything although we would not have been able to find it on our own. A porter met us at the drop off location and we walked 5-10 minutes to the riad. The staff was wonderful. Breakfast was delicious. We enjoyed a couples Hammen at the spa and strongly recommend it. (It was a full body scrub with a very stiff loofa).

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Salam Fes

Fes

This Riad was spectacular with very impressive design/interiors. Our room was very large with a separate bedroom and living area. (We noticed many rooms were smaller like a normal hotel room.) There was a rooftop area that we discovered the second night and enjoyed spending time under the stars. The breakfast was fine but they brought out trays and baskets of items, many being types of bread, and we could only eat a small fraction of the food. Seemed very wasteful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

10-minute walk to the Medina once we figured out how to get there.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais des Princesses

Marrakech

Very nice Riad but not as impressive as the others. Location was inside the Medina so very convenient for restaurants and central plaza. Breakfast buffet was excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Journey of Colours: Roman Ruins of Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

This is a long drive so a stop somewhere is needed. However, the Ruins were only so-so interesting as we have seen many Roman Ruins elsewhere.

Transport

Our driver was amazing for the whole trip.

Fes Unveiled: Unravel the Riches of Morocco's Ancient City

Fes

As mentioned before, the tour was too focused on trying to sell us 'stuff'. The tile factory and leather tannery were interesting but the sales pitches after were annoying. The carpet showroom was over the top annoying; we didn't actually see anyone working on a rug! It was straight to the salesroom and after saying a dozen times that we weren't interested, they brought out more carpets. I felt so much pressure to buy that I considered a small, 20" x 30" rug until I found out it was $200 US$. I finally got mad and said 'we are done' and we walked out. The rest of the tour was hurrying through the Medina at a fairly fast pace.

Quality of Experience

No sales pressure and a slower pace.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Again.... our driver, Ilyace :-)

Mystical Marrakesh: Unveiling the Allure of Morocco's Vibrant Jewel

Marrakesh

This tour had a nice variety, beautiful mosque, amazing Palace tour and great overview of the Marrakech Medina including the square.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tasting Marrakesh: A Private Gastronomic Adventure

Marrakesh

We had the same guide, Hannan, for this tour as the previous tour so it was nice to see the friendly face again. We enjoyed trying some new foods that we hadn't tried yet.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Marrakech to Agafay Desert with a 'Camel ride' & Berber Lunch in the high Atlas Mountains

Morocco

This was actually two separate trips: hiking in the Atlas Mountains and the Camel ride at the hotel. The hiking with a guide was a fun adventure. It was about an hour and a half and we had some great views of the mountains and a waterfall. We choose not to do the Berber Lunch but in hindsight we should have. The camel ride was just as expected, a little corning but so worth it. Got some great sunset pictures that included the camels.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Said
Was great pre trip arranging Itinerary and making suggestions, he was also great with arranging last minute changes due to late flight arrival and moving to a different location during the trip.

Faysel our driver made the trip , great music in the car very safe driver and lots of fun.

Overall a wonderful trip and great experience.

Danny & Emma , Amsterdam

Hotel Review

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Wonderful place Room 5 with your own terrace overlooking the town, possible to book the pool for private swims and great breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Trails of Connection: Trekking through Berber Villages and Immersing in Local Hospitality

Morocco

Mohamed Amjon, Brilliant guide for of facts and humour. His wife made the best food I tasted in the whole trip. Overall one of the best days.

Quality of Experience

Food

Taste

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver, Abderahim, was most excellent and attentive to all our needs..very satisfied. Hakim, the tour operator was also very attentive with prompt replies to any questions. We had only one riad in Essaouira we were very unhappy with ( not too clean) and he refunded our night stay there. The guides were sharp and well versed in the history of thier respective towns..all locals.
A few minor suggestions. While we stayed 3 nights in Marrakesh, one day was spent hiking in Imlil region of Atlas mountains and driving back & forth to Marrakesh. While this hike was spectacular and well worth the visit, consider next time arranging an overnight in Imlil region instead of driving back to Marrakesh. My understanding is the drive to Essaouira the next day wouldn't be negatively impacted. Another consideration is the very long drive from Fes to Merzouga...could it be broken up? Understand that perhaps due to our time constraints that was not possible.
Overall thoroughly enjoyed Morocco , it's rich culture and history and wonderful people. Will definitely recommend KimKim and the destination to friends and family.

Overall we had an amazing experience planning and participating in our trip to Morocco where we visited Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Boumalne Dades, Marrakech, Essaouira, and Casablanca. From start to finish KimKim and it’s affiliate Original Travels accommodated our wishes and succeeded in meeting our expectations.

This was the first time that we used a travel agency to plan a trip and relinquished the planning process to another. It was really nice to not worry about anything. Our trip was 16 days long, with 8 different accommodations, 6 different tour guides, 8 different major stops (not including all the wonderful places in between), 1 amazing driver (Karim), and an impromptu neighborhood get together. Each place was completely different and exciting. Having never been to Morocco, we were blown away with the kindness of the people and the beauty of the country.

Our accommodations were 5 star hotels, luxury tent, guest houses, or riads with delicious breakfasts that met or exceeded our assumptions with one exception. Riad Perle D'Eau in Essaouira was clean and the rooms were large but overall the hotel is aging and was not on par with the rest of our accommodations. Once you’ve stayed in amazing places you definitely can feel the difference. The breakfast was mediocre too. It would have gone a long way if our rooms overlooked the ocean instead of a staircase and another room.

In Fes we stayed in a beautiful Riad where the shear beauty of the open air lobby meets you at the door. The stage is definitely set when you arrive to a traditional tea service. Upon showing us to our room we were overjoyed with my sisters room and were told that the hotel had “upgraded” us to an upper floor. There was no comparison to how much nicer her room was. If we had not seen her room we would have been happy in our accommodations but her experience was definitely different. We asked to be moved and they were unable to accommodate us. When traveling with others, you want the rooms to be the same not glaringly different.

We signed up for many workshops and truly loved learning how to make the many exports Morocco is known for. We walked away from each experience appreciating the amount of time, effort, and skill put into each piece of pottery, leather goods, food, brass and copper, blanket, and rug.

The only one that did not meet our expectations was the babouche shoe workshop in Marrakech. We were supposed to fully make a pair of shoes to take with us. Even though we learned the steps to making a puff puff and shoes, we were unable to make our own. At least 3 hours need to be set aside to accommodate this class. Originally we were scheduled to do this in the morning followed by a food tour. Both the food tour and the workshop were rushed and therefore not as we had anticipated.

I would not recommend the winery tour outside of Essaouira. (we were scheduled to tour the facility, wine taste and luncheon there). We chose to continue on to Essaouira and Original Travels took us to a wonderful restaurant on the beach where we enjoyed a glass of wine and a delicious seafood meal.

We rode a camel, sand surfed, took a kite surfing class and a cooking class, had a message, a facial, 2 Hammams, hiked in the Atlas Mountains, and participated in a balloon ascension over Marrakech. These activities enhanced our overall experience.

Each stop we made, each place we visited, each person we met left us with a true appreciation for Morocco. Thank you KimKim and Original Travels for an exceptional once in a lifetime experience.

Hotel Reviews

The View Hotel

Rabat

Wonderful first stop. Enjoyed the treats awaiting our arrival from the airport. Breakfast was delicious!

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful new hotel

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Maison Arabe Hotel

Marrakech

My favorite! Enjoyed the 1946 hotel steeped in history. If it’s good enough for Winston Churchill it’s definitely good enough for me. Afternoon tea and cookies is a wonderful way to end your day.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful hotel and delicious food

Location

The neighborhood was a little run down but a quick walk to the square.

Staff

Remembered our name every time and was genuinely happy to see us each afternoon

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Riad was perfectly located. Simple accommodations with a very helpful staff. Breakfast was delicious. Tried our first Hammam here and the private pool. The Hammam is not a luxurious spa like experience but definitely an eye opener and my skin never looked better.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Amani

Fès

Upon checking in the staff showed us to our rooms. My sister’s room was on the main floor with a beautiful open floor plan overlooking the Riad’s open space. We were told that we were upgraded to another room. Unfortunately this room didn’t feel like an upgrade but of a switch to accommodate another. Our room felt dark where the bathroom was separated between the bathing area and facilities right between the seating area making the room feel cramped. To be fair we probably would have been happy with the accommodations if we hadn’t seen the other beautiful room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Loved visiting the Sahara Desert. I would recommend visiting for only one day since there isn’t enough to do for 2 days. I would not take guests to a pool that isn’t up to the same standard as the camp. The pool where we were dropped off at was still under construction and shouldn’t be used.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Loved our stay here. The hospitality and food was superb.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Perle D'Eau

Essaouira

The rooms were large and clean, unfortunately they looked into someone else’s room and a stairway. The Riad is dated with a mediocre breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms do not have airconditioning so having to close the drapes to preserve our privacy made the rooms uncomfortable.

Hôtel & Spa Le Doge

Casablanca

The Art Deco hotel takes a minute to get used to. My sister’s room was so outlandish that they moved her to a different room where she was very comfortable. The staff was fabulous and the breakfast was delicious.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Transfer to Essaouira & Argan Oil Tour

Morocco

Enjoyed the demonstration and walked away with a better understanding on how the oil is made. More of a stop to purchase quality products.

Quality of Experience

Half-Day Private Sightseeing Tour in Rabat

Rabat

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Chefchaoeun

Chefchaouen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very informative

Transport

A Journey of Colours: Exploring Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

Loved all of our stops and really enjoyed our stop at Volubilis.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Karim did a great job getting making stops and adding adventure throughout the day.

Trails of Connection: Trekking through Berber Villages and Immersing in Local Hospitality

Morocco

Loved spending time with our guide and his lovely wife. They were incredibly welcoming!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Taxi was definitely an adventure on its own.

A Taste of Tradition: Sharing Stories and Savory Delights at a Moroccan Home

Morocco

The dinner was delicious! Unfortunately, the wife was so tired that we felt like we were an inconvenience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unleash Your Inner Artist: Pottery and Mosaic Workshop

Morocco

We loved this activity! We really gained an appreciation for all the work that goes into the art of mosaics and pottery.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Henna Party: Celebrating Beauty and Tradition

Morocco

The artist was extremely talented in her craft.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Brass Etching Workshop in Fes

Fes

We didn’t have a workshop but we did take a tour of the brass making area and saw the experts at work.

Quality of Experience

Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride via Midelt & Erfoud

Morocco

Wonderful day! Lamb lunch was an adventure and loved meeting the monkeys! Riding a camel was an experience in itself. Two hours with rain, wind and sand felt like authentic once in a lifetime ride.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ensemble Artisanal (Handicraft Centre) in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Highly recommend a visit. Quality merchandise priced reasonably without the stress of bargaining!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Unlock the Secrets of Fes: A Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Experience

Fes

Loved our guide Hafid! We felt like we were in great hands from start to finish. When bargaining let him help you. We overpaid at the leather store because we tried to do it ourselves. We learned a valuable lesson and got much better as our trip progressed. He spent two full days with us and we enjoyed it immensely.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boumalne Dades to Marrakech via Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

I loved all of our stops… it’s a long day!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Desert Adventures in Erg Chebbi

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Erg Chebbi Desert adventure

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Merzouga to Boumalne Dades via Tinghir & Todra Gorge

Morocco

Le Jardin Secret Gardens Tour

Marrakesh

We ate lunch her which was a beautiful spot to take a break!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Marrakech - Full Day Tour

Marrakesh

Great job acclimating us to the city and giving us wonderful history information.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Marrakesh

What a wonderful way to see Morocco! This was my sister’s first ascension and our 3rd.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Cooking Class at La Maison Arabe

Marrakesh

Great class start to finish! My husband that doesn’t cook loved it as well. We ate the food that we prepared and it was delicious.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Food Tour

Marrakesh

Unfortunately this was at the end of the day and we felt rushed. We did enjoy the main meal but could have gone with Karim and had the same experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Create your family's 'Babouche

Morocco

We only had 40 minutes to have a small demonstration about puffs and Babouche shoes. While informative, it was not what we expected.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Carpet Weaving With Berber Women

Morocco

Demonstration and 5 mins each weaving.

Quality of Experience

Luxurious Bliss: Moroccan Hammam Retreat at La Mamounia

Marrakesh

Excellent!

Quality of Experience

Wine Tasting at Domaine Val d'Argan

Essaouira

They didn’t know we were coming so we moved on to Essaouira where we had a lovely lunch on the beach.

Quality of Experience

Private Kitesurfing Lesson

Essaouira

Our instructor was thorough and knowledgeable. We ended our lesson with a better understanding of the sport and a desire to continue with lessons.

Quality of Experience

Essaouira to Casablanca via Eljadida & Safi Coastal Route

Morocco

Uneventful drive. Seeing a sheep on top of a car being transported and a camel along the road was our highlight.

Architectural Elegance: A Journey through the Hassan II Mosque

Morocco

Beautiful Mosque and a must see since it’s the only one in the country that you can go in.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Off-The-Beaten-Path Casablanca for Early Arrivers

Casablanca

Our trip wouldn’t have been the same without Karim our exceptional driver. From start to finish he was instrumental in getting us from point A to Z with wonderful stops in between.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It’s amazing how much stuff we got in one car.

We first planned to go to Morocco in 1998 ..... it's taken a while but we've just finished an amazing trip. Starting in Marrakech, over the High Atlas to Boumalne Dades, the desert of Erg Chebbi, across the middle atlas to Fes, the beautiful Blue City of Chefchaouen and flying out of Tanger.

All this time we were in the very capable hands of Samir who’s genuine passion for his country and Berber culture was an unexpected bonus to the trip. It was a pleasure to meet him and be able to learn just a little about Morocco and it’s people. I am a nervous traveller yet he managed to make the long drives a relaxing delight with his safe and assured driving.

We had a great experience. High lights would be exploring the desert and wondering the streets of Chefchaouen at sunset. If we had a little more time I would have loved to explore the high Atlas Mountains and see more of the wilderness of Morocco. Maybe next time. Tips for Marrakech and Fes medinas with guides. Do a little homework first so you know exatcly what you want to see, eat and buy. It does feel that the guides ( more so
In Fes ) are really just on a tour of things to buy ( with a commission ) so it's worth knowing what you really want to do and being firm , but sincere about it with the guides. The medinas are somewhere to get lost in but somethings that's half the fun.

Altogether a wonderful albeit 24 years late and a big thank you to Samir.

MHammed was an excellent driver and provided delightful conversation and interesting information about Morocco's culture, people, and places to see. He was flexible with changes in itinerary and available whenever needed. Every day was a highlight so it is impossible to choose! Kamal, our guide in Fez was a fount of history, culture, and insight. The kindness in Merzouga when I became sick was remarkable and the flexibility to stay an additional night allowed me time to recover. The moments of a lifetime were the night in the Sahara dunes, a camel ride, walking up the dunes, and dinner under the stars. We enjoyed driving through the Atlas mountains and seeing the mountain cities. Mustafa was our guide in Marrakech and he expertly navigated the historic inner city and provided insight and information. We made new friends and fell in love with Morocco!

Hotel Reviews

Riad Maison Bleue And Spa

Fes

Beautiful hotel, excellent staff, delicious food, perfect location, need I say more?

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kasbah Mohayut

Merzouga

Comfortable and easy going. Walking distance to the dunes with great views of the Sahara from the upper balcony. The staff is great. They were very helpful when I was having a medical issue and graciously arranged our ability to stay an extra day to recover.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Paradis Du Sahara

Merzouga

A modern and comfortable tent at the edge of the dunes with running water, bathroom, and shower. Dinner was excellent and drumming after dinner was great fun.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Asfalou

The Riad is nestled in a smaller town in the Atlas mountains. The room, food, and staff were all excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Almaha Marrakech

Marrakech

The hotel is luxurious and is located within the Medina, walking distance from the central marketplace. With help from our guide we learned how to navigate the winding walkways to the market ourselves. Breakfast on the upper terrace is elegant and the food is excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cooking Class

Morocco

I loved having a personal opportunity to cook Moroccan Tangine with a chef. It was great fun and enjoyed eating the results of my cooking! I came home with recipes that I plan to use.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour Fes with a Private Guide

Fes

Kamal was an excellent guide. He provided a wide array of knowledge of the history, culture, architecture, and artisans of Fez. Our time with him was a highlight of the trip and we learned a great deal. I wouldn't have missed having the expertise of a guide like Kamal.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour Marrakech with a private guide

Marrakesh

Mustafa was an excellent guide with knowledge of the city, culture and history. He provided insight into the city, culture and history that was invaluable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip was great. We had some luggage snags and they were so helpful and rearranged the itinerary. Our guides in each area were so good. Great English. Lots of history and interesting information shared. Taking us to great places. Navigating everything.
Karim was a fabulous driver. His English is phenomenal. He is personable and easy to be with. We really enjoyed him.

We had a wonderful time in Morocco, and really loved the itinerary that kimkim put together for our two week tour. Soufiane, our driver, was definitely the hero of the trip. He was so friendly and accommodating, and really went out of his way to make us feel like his guests. We had excellent experiences with all of our guides: Mustapha in Chefchaouen, Hasan in Fes, Hamid in Sefrou, Said in Marrakesh, and Hussein in Ourika valley. Would definitely recommend our experience to friends and family!

Sharon, just saying thank you for the extraordinary job you did planning our 50th anniversary trip is simply not enough. You really listened. The cities, monuments, riads, and guides were exactly what we envisioned.
Most importantly our guide, Hicham, was central to our entire trip. He was always on time, prepared, kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable.
Without making this review too lengthy, we must remark on our last stay at Ksar Anika in Marakesh. When Hicham pulled up the riad was hidden behind two unremarkable large doors. Upon entering, it was an amazing palace too beautiful to describe. Abu, and his staff were just as special. I must say a special heartfelt thank you to Siham, who took a personal interest in us and ensured we had a wonderful time. She truly is a jewel and an asset. It was our favorite riad and we would definitely recommend staying there.

Bravo KimKim! We give you a full 5 star review for our 9 day enriching experience!
I can’t say enough about our guide Samir! He was kind, polite, and informative. He gave us a true Moroccan experience completed by a visit with a nomad family where they served us tea and bread, and lunch served by a local family during our road-trip through the country.

Everyone is Morocco was very hospitable and our guide Samir was no exception. He raised the bar for any future guide we may encounter.
Thank you Samir, for your kindness and guidance. After our 9 days, we consider you a friend. We are truly grateful for all that he did for us.
Samir exceeded all our expectations and made Morocco a pleasure to visit.

In addition, we were provided with 2 special tour guides, Muhammad for the Medina of Fez and Abdoula for the Medina in Marrakesh. They both assured we were buying local and authentic products, and both of them were extremely knowledgeable. They each spoke fluent English as well!

With kind regards,
Linda

First and foremost in making our 13-days encircling Morocco memorable was our driver Amine! While he demonstrated expert driving skills that made us feel completely safe, he was so much more than a driver. Upon meeting, he quickly ascertained our interests, particularly in the cultural diversity of Moroccan people, and set about fulfilling and exceeding our expectations. Each day was full of unexpected adventure: from our first authentic meal of grilled meats and vegetables en route to Chefchaouen, impromptu walks through local markets where the colors of Morocco are on full display, to spontaneous detours to gaze atop the spectacular Atlas Mountains or to search for specific pottery in Safi. Amine knows his country well especially the unknown places off the beaten track and personifies the personal warmth and hospitable nature of the Moroccan people.

While there are too many memorable moments, experiences, sights, and places to capture here, some of the highlights include:
Palais Faraj in Fez where we spent 2 glorious nights in the meticulously restored Bensouda Palace in the Arab-Andalusian architectural tradition. The tile work (zelliges) with complex geometric mosaics are museum-worthy!
The hour dromedary caravan ride through the sea of sand dunes of Erg Chebbi was a not-to-be missed postcard experience! The awe of complete silence when watching the sun set over the sand dunes was only matched by the awe of sunrise the following morning.
The winding climb to the granary atop the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou provided a glimpse of how southern Moroccans lived since the 17th Century (and where a few families still reside).
No trip to Morocco would be complete without a relaxing visit to a hammam for a full body clay mask application followed by a medicinal Moroccan black soap scrub and shampoo. Total rejuvenation!
Our final meal shared with Amine in El Jadida on the gorgeous Atlantic coast was most remarkable! It first started with lentils and bread, followed by a mound of Moroccan salads garnished with fruit and herbs, and finished with an abundant platter of shrimp, calamari, sole, and marlin made-to-order for only 85 dirham (~$8.50).

Hotel Reviews

Palais Faraj Suites & Spa

Fès

We upgraded our accommodation in Fez and Marrakech, but all of our accommodations were unique—well selected for comfort, generous meals, and specific location. Palais Faraj exceeded our expectations, however! It truly felt like sleeping in a museum.

Authenticity & Character

The tile work (zelliges)

Location

Situated just outside the Medina overlooking the entire city of Fez.

Staff

Being welcomed with the customary Moroccan mint tea (poured in such a manner to produce the necessary froth) and slices of cake and cookies.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room was actually a suite with small chambers off the bedroom with a gorgeous alcove lined with an abundance of silk cushions.

Barceló Anfa Casablanca

Casablanca

Lovely, modern. The room had a unique design where the vanity divided the sleeping area from the huge shower and dressing area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Within minutes of the spectacular minaret of Hassan II

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Petite Chefchaouen

Chefchaouene

The location inside the Medina was ideal and the breakfast plentiful. The decor was less authentic. For example, our room was named “Love” and had decorative s plaques in English such as “Love is the best ingredient.”

Authenticity & Character

Remove the English room names and plaques

Location

Inside the Medina, very close to the center square

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Luxury Camp Chebbi

Merzouga

Unbelievable beauty and serenity.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The Berber staff were knowledgeable and hospitable.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The tents had all the amenities except a fan. It was over 80 degrees during the night inside the tent which made it uncomfortable to get restful sleep. Perhaps in the future, it would be helpful to recommend guests bring their own battery-operated fan.

Caravane

Ouarzazate

Unexpectedly boutique. You wouldn’t expect such tasteful African-inspired decor within the plain, adobe dwelling.

Authenticity & Character

African-inspired decor using resources such as rattan, Berber rugs, adobe interior.

Location

Off the beaten track.

Staff

The two men in the reception who also served a delicious 3-course meal.

Cleanliness & Comfort

While we did have an air conditioner, we had difficulty lowering the thermostat, but a ceiling fan kept us cool during these hot summer nights in this Quarzazate region.

72 Riad Living

Marrakech

Tasteful blend of the authentic and the current design trends.

Authenticity & Character

All of the seating areas, the high ceilings, the rooftop terrace and pool, the little design touches like a bull horn used for a towel hook and a miniature brass tagine with macarons left bedside during turn down service

Location

Within the Medina with easy access to all the shopping you could ever desire!

Staff

Particularly the man (“bell hop”) who pushed a wooden cart to transport our luggage through the narrow, winding alleys to the riad.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Moroccan black soap, antique cabinet for apply storage of toiletries, crisp stark sheets on a king size bed, vaulted wood carved ceilings.

Riad Chbanate

Essaouira

Just steps within the Medina, this riad is charming with its terracotta tile floors, tadelakt plaster walls, antique wooden furniture, adobe fireplace, and huge hammam-like bathtub with rose petals carefully throughout our room. You wouldn’t even know the beach of the Atlantic Ocean is just minutes outside the walled old city.

Authenticity & Character

This riad felt like a Moroccan home—more simple and cozy.

Location

Picturesque Essaouira combined the beauty of promenade along the Atlantic Ocean juxtaposed by the winding alleys and souks of the Medina, the Portuguese fortress, and fishermen hauling in their catch of the day.

Staff

The managers were so hospitable. The simple homemade poundcakes served with the customary welcoming mint tea were the best of all.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The spacious bathroom and huge bathtub (for more than 2), the rose petals carefully placed throughout, the clever presentation of a collection of glass bottles filled with bath salts, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.

Hilton Garden Inn Casablanca Sud

Casablanca

New, modern typical Hilton Garden Inn near the Casablanca airport.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near the airport

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Exploring the Imperial City and Medieval Medina of Fez

Fes

Walking through the winding alleys of the Medina is a step back in time. Our visit to the tannery where men toil over scraping, cleaning, drying, and dying hides was remarkable. Each souk sells fine artisan crafts including glass, brass, fabric, leather, and ceramics. But, one can purchase all sorts of produce, fruit, grains, spices, and meat (including live chicken).

Quality of Experience

Food

Fresh and plentiful typically starting with a meze of 5-6 types of salad, then a platter of couscous or tagine of beef, lamb, or chicken with seasonal vegetables and/or fruits couscous, finished with mint tea and sweet cakes and cookies. A specialty here is the pastille which is a pastry crust sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon and filled with your choice of meat. Absolutely delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hassan was very knowledgeable about all aspects of Fez’s history, art, and culture.

Transport

Amine professionally navigated the traffic and parking.

Exploring the Medina and Historical Sites Of Marrakesh

Marrakesh

Our guide was quite knowledgeable about Morocco in general, and Marrakech in particular. The recently restored Madrasa and Palace Bahia were impressive for their beauty and traditional craftsmanship. Everything in the Medina is a sight to see!

Quality of Experience

Marrakech was so picturesque—so many photo opportunities.

Food

It’s not only the plentiful food portions of deliciously flavored food, but also the ambience—vaulted wood carved ceilings, tiled fountains and mosaic lined walls, rooftop terraces, guitarist strumming soft music, and the multi-lingual waiters wearing traditional caftans and characteristic Fez (red felt hat with tassel).

Guides, Drivers and Staff

By staying in the Medina, we were able to walk to the many souks to shop. However, Amine provided numerous helpful recommendations and made reservations including our unforgettable hamman treatment plus massage followed by afternoon tea at the exquisite Royal Mansour Hotel where the King maintains a suite.

Transport

Amine, as always, was at our beckon call.

Overnight in the Sahara Desert

Morocco

Truly unforgettable! A must-do even if you think you can’t get on and off a camel (dromedary actually). While this is definitely something only tourists do, it is well worth experiencing the sand dunes. Dinner was a scrumptious 4-course affair, albeit late in the evening. The Berber staff played instruments and sang by the camp fire under the stars beckoning guests to participate until midnight. The amenities of electricity, hot shower and flushing toilet make the overnight stay comfortable. All I would recommend is the installation of ceiling fans, if generator power permits.

Quality of Experience

Uncomfortably warm to sleep inside the tent. Understandably, it was the desert in mid-September.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful trip with Morocco Immersion Tours & Adventures! When booking, Sharon was quick to respond to all of our questions and help us create the perfect itinerary for our week in Morocco.

From start to finish, everything was perfectly planned and we got to do and see everything we set out to. The local guides in each area (Marrakech, Tinghir, and Kasbah Tamnougalt) were all very knowledgeable, happy to answer questions and patient with picture taking. At each Riad (Riad Nesma in Marrakech, Chez Ichou, and Kasbah Itrane Tamnougalt) and the desert camp we were provided with delicious food and attentive service. If you decide to do a desert overnight at the wonderful Palais des Dunes Luxury Camp don’t miss out on leaving camp in the evening to do some star gazing - it can’t be beat! Additionally, on your way out of Ourzazate, visit Taman’Art Space, a unique artist’s collective founded by the incredibly talented local artist, Aissa Joud.

What made the trip special was how wonderful our driver, Mahmoud, was - you truly couldn’t ask for a better person to show you around such a beautiful country. From Marrakech to the Sahara and back, Mahmoud went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, introducing us to fantastic music (we are now gnawa fans for life), and teaching us so much about Moroccan and Amazigh culture. Mahmoud did an amazing job getting us from place to place safely, connecting us with local excursions and making sure my dietary restrictions were understood (i.e., celiac) when we stopped for meals. If you are lucky enough to visit Morocco, you will be twice as lucky if you have Mahmoud as your driver. Not only did we have a fantastic trip, we gained a wonderful friend as well!

It was a once in a lifetime trip that we will never forget and we can’t wait to come back!

Hotel Reviews

Riad Nesma Suites & SPA

Medina, Marrakech

The entire staff was incredibly kind and helpful, the Riad itself was stunning and maintained so well and the food is delicious!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chez Ichou

Dades Gorge

What a beautiful Riad! The food was incredible, every detail in the design of the hotel was flawless and the staff is so kind. The rooftop pool provides a wonderful place to view the stars at night as well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais des Dunes Luxury Camp

Merzouga

I didn’t know camping could be so glamorous! The beds were comfortable, the food was great and the service was impeccable!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dades Valley to Merzouga Camel Trek via Todgha Gorge & Tinghir

Morocco

Definitely a tourist activity but don’t miss out! The desert and sunrise and sunset is so gorgeous and the stars at night are unbelievable!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marrakech to Dades Valley via Ouarzazate

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Agdz to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Merzouga to Agdz

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

What an amazing trip. We were cared for in the most expeditious and courteous manner. We opted for the 10 day Luxury trip from Casablanca to Marrakech and back to Casablanca with a private driver. Faysel was our driver for 9 of the 10 days. He was fun! He stopped as we needed rest room breaks, kept us informed regarding all the places we were heading to, had a clean and comfortable vehicle. He played Moroccan modern music for us but also was kind enough to let us play our plethora of tunes and listen to our less than perfect singing the entire trip. He never let us touch our luggage. He loaded it and unloaded it. He was a very skilled driver, able to adapt as needed to the often times busy and crazy road conditions, but also smooth enough that we fell asleep several times on our longer drives. He was very well connected and had a really good rapport with the local guides that directed our tours. It was evident from Day 1 that he loves his country and loves what he does and that type of attitude was infectious. What did we love about Morocco? Everything. The food, the cooking class, The Blue City, Fes, Meknes, The desert luxury camp, Sahara Desert camel ride, Atlas Mountains, Casablanca, Marrakech, medinas, souks, all of the massages that they scheduled for us, the personal tours, bypassing the long queues, treated like queens... Waters whenever we were thirsty, punctuality. The tour guides were top notch. We learned so much! The textiles you can buy in Morocco, OMG the quality is so good. Definitely exercise your bargaining skills and bring home beautiful heirlooms. Our second driver was Samir. He took gentle care of us. By our last few days we had several HEAVY purchases that needed to be loaded and unloaded into the car. We needed tape, and packing materials. He retrieved those for us. He also was a careful driver. Oh and let's not forget Mohamed that helped me to plan this trip and squeeze in every little whim and fancy. His hotel recommendations were above par. I needed more time but alas my work schedule wouldn't allow for more time but I definitely will be back and I will try my hardest to get Faysel as my driver again. Many thanks to Hanan my tour guide in Marrakech that made sure my custom made purchases made it to me before my departure. I loved Morocco and the friendships I formed here. Thank you Kim Kim for this ah-mazing experience.

I do not typically write reviews but in this case I wanted to give this review due to the excellent attention and friendship we have established with Mohamed “Yassine “ Taiebine. Yassine was always prompt, thinking ahead of our needs and provided daily insight to his Moroccan culture. Yassine’s car was roomy for our group of four and he kept it impeccably clean. He went over and above when there was a need to deviate from our plan and always without hesitation. Cannot imagine anyone better to take us around (4 older women) and felt safe the entire time especially with his driving abilities. He even took the time to teach us and “test” us on Arabic words in a fun way.

In addition to our friendship with Yassine we also had a wonderful guide, Hassin “Sassa” . His sense of humor made our experience with him in Marrakesh and Fes not only educational but fun ! Sassa’s historical knowledge was wonderful and he helped us understand the changes in the Moroccan culture over time. Together Yassine and Sassa made a great team!!

Sent from my iPhone

Activity Reviews

Overnight in the Sahara Desert

Morocco

The camel ride to our Sahara camp was the highlight of our trip. It was fun evening in the desert and very glad I was able to experience it .The tents were very comfortable and each with their own bathroom . Just a heads up the stray dogs in the middle of the desert are friendly and not there to harm you and bring a little battery operated fan rather than a jacket during the summer months.

Quality of Experience

Camel ride

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our camel herder was great and shared his experience of being raised as a beber.

Transport

Hammam Visit: Traditional Body Scrub

Morocco

A true experience !

Quality of Experience

Traditional Cooking Class

Morocco

We made the best tasting lemon and olive chicken tagine we had on our entire trip in our class. Looking forward to receiving the recipes so I can bring a bit of Morocco to my US home. The tea service was very informative and opened my eyes about the use of different herbs and spices to make great tea. Staff was great !

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff was great !

Just returned from an amazing trip to Morocco. Everything from the itinerary, to our driver to all the guides was perfect. We are well traveled and had high expectations for our trip and were not disappointed. I especially like that we were able to customize our experience. Will be using kimkim again.

We had a spectacular 10 day visit to Morocco! Highly recommend visiting this diverse and beautiful country. Yassine did an outstanding job creating an itinerary that met our needs and the information he shared on travelling in Morocco was very useful. He is very responsive and very knowledgable. We were set up with Soufiane as our driver and guide. He was wonderful! Very friendly, flexible and a great travelling companion. Felt more like travelling with a friend who is really concerned with ensuring you have a good time. Highly recommend!

We had limited time and Morocco Immersion helped us make the most of it. Sharon's recommendations were wonderful and our driver, Sallam, made all the difference. The Moroccan people are kind and welcoming. Overall, it was a memorable trip!

Hotel Reviews

Riad Al Makan

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Merzouga Dunes Camps

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chez Ichou

Dades Gorge

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad al Rimal

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

Hassan was a wonderful guide in terms of his cultural, historical and religious knowledge. He created a great backdrop for our tour through the medina.

Quality of Experience

We would have liked to have been asked about visiting all the souks before we went. Instead, we were told that we were going to this one and that one to meet someone the guide knew but were of course "under no obligation to buy anything but this work supports our people." Some of the locations were for products we had no interest in. And the shopkeeper's disappointment was very evident in any place where we did not purchase anything. The tannery, in particular, was disappointing, as the man giving us the tour spoke no English and could not explain the tanning process, for which we had many questions. After a quick climb to the roof for a picture, he took us immediately to a showroom and wanted us to try on some jackets.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We wish Hassan had asked us at the start what souks we were interested in visiting and given us the option of choosing where to go. Also, we were shown to a very touristy restaurant for lunch, with a fixed menu, and not asked about what type of meal we would like.

Transport

Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp

Morocco

Great trek from Fes to the desert, with lots to see along the way. Sallam is a wonderful driver and guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our camel guide insisted on us climbing a dune to see the sunset despite the approaching storm. We quit before we reached the summit due to blowing, stinging sand and limited visability. I think he was intent on completing the task he was assigned to do, but we would have been happier skipping this part and proceeding on to the camp ahead of the storm. Sallam went out of his way to take us to find a bottle of wine that we could enjoy with our dinner.

Transport

Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge

Morocco

Another beautiful day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Abdellah was great. Said was fantastic - helping us doing all the last minute dinner reservations and changing itinerary to add visit to Cave of Hercules or staying longer in Rabat.

The desert and Chefchaouen definitely were the highlight of our trip!

Hotel Reviews

Desert Luxury Camp Erg Chebbi

Merzouga

It was amazing, love the camel ride, sand boarding, great service and have air conditioning!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Beautiful city, hotel and location. Great services and private session for pool! Highly recommended

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Maison Arabe Hotel

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Salam Fes

Fes

Beautiful hotel but a bit dated (bathroom smell) ...... but staff and services were great

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It's clean but probably need some pipe cleaning /renovation

Hotel Xaluca Dades

Boumalne

Authenticity & Character

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Kalaa

Rabat

Activity Reviews

Mystical Marrakesh: Unveiling the Allure of Morocco's Vibrant Jewel

Marrakesh

Ok experience, expect the private guide to provide a bit more info/ color on sites. Also visited too many shops that were not necessary.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nature's Masterpieces: Discovering Todra Gorges and Erfoud on the Road to Merzouga

Morocco

Love love the desert experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes Unveiled: Unravel the Riches of Morocco's Ancient City

Fes

The private guide was great

Vibrant Hues and Historic Treasures: A Journey of Colors from Fes to Chefchaouen

Morocco

Beautiful blue city, wish we have time to stay longer

Quality of Experience

Our driver, Nouraddine was awesome and strongly recommend.
Also, the tour guides in Chefchouen (Yusef), Fez ( do not remember name), Volobilis ( do not remember name), and Marrakesh were anazing. Very knowledgeable of everything and very accommodating to our needs and special requests. Even the person giving us the camel ride was exemplary. Everyone very friendly.

Also, all of the Riads that we stayed were way beyond our expectations. Really impressive facilities and friendly staff. Staying in Riads rather than hotels really elevated our experience.

Hotel Reviews

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Everything was perfect

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Salam Fes

Fes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Inara Desert Camp

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Mokhtar Tanger

Tangier

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arrive at Tangier Med Harbor , Transfer to Chefchaouen

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Chefchaoeun

Chefchaouen

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Journey of Colours: Roman Ruins of Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Morocco

Everything was good, but too many places of interest were closed for renovations

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes Unveiled: Unravel the Riches of Morocco's Ancient City

Fes

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Architectural Elegance: A Journey through the Hassan II Mosque

Morocco

Were not able to get guided tour. Were sold out.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mystical Marrakesh: Unveiling the Allure of Morocco's Vibrant Jewel

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Majorelle Gardens Guided Visit

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport