Olinto Atlas Mountain Retreat — Hotel in caïdat de Ouirgane

When we first heard about Olinto, we knew that it was going to be special. Set in the High Atlas Mountains in the middle of a beautiful olive grove, it is a vision-brought-to-life by an Italian Prince with amazing taste overseeing everything (architecture, interiors, gardens).

GROUNDS The grounds and setting are absolutely stunning with so many special hideouts to sit down and enjoy the view. The gardens are gorgeous with beautiful water features and are constantly being expanded by a dedicated/devoted team.

ARCHITECTURE The buildings are nestled throughout the olive grove with two main areas set apart from each other -- pavilions (private rooms) and the public buildings (reception, restaurant, bar, gift shop and main pool). Everything, as I understand it, is only two years old, but the design feels timeless and beautiful with exquisite details throughout.

PAVILIONS The nine guest pavilions are huge and offer separate sitting and sleeping areas, a large bathroom, outside terrace and roof deck. Two have their own pools. The bedding and furniture are comfortable and luxurious and there are artworks from the prince's personal collection. Every guest is provided their own pair of beautiful leather slippers to wear and take home.

HOSPITALITY We were blown away by the warm friendliness and high-service standards of the predominantly local, Berber team. They were so caring and so responsive to any request. Olinto uses WhatsApp so it's always very easy to contact the team. We asked about having a special dinner one night by the pool. "No problem, we will set up a table for you!". Breakfast delivered to our room, or a cocktail delivered to private spot in the gardens where we were curled up with a book were equally met with the same response. At our request, the team even helped us to learn (and practice!) Berber words and phrases, so we could communicate more casually with them.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE In one word, delicious. At every meal, the team really focuses on local products, including those grown in Olinto’s vegetable and herb gardens. The bread is baked on site throughout the day. The bar men are quite talented and serve their libations in a beautiful setting.

AND BEYOND Olinto is itself a destination, and you'll likely spend most of your time there. We loved doing a hike outside in hills with a guide they arranged for us, but spent most of our times on the grounds, at the pool, taking a cooking class and enjoying the restaurant and bar areas.

While we were there, two special experiences really capped things off:

1. A Private Concert The prince is music-lover. His vision for Olinto includes inviting world-class artists to spend time at the property, and he's built several cottages near his own home on the grounds for this purpose. During our stay, all the guests were invited the day prior to attend a performance by a celebrated French pianist, Jacqueline Bourgès-Maunoury, and mezzo-soprano, Stéphanie d'Oustrac, at the prince's home. The evening started with a reception on the terrace for the guests and about thirty other visitors from surrounding areas and Marrakech, followed by an intimate, seventy-minute concert capped off with a magical dinner under the stars back at the hotel. This happens rarely, at present, so we were quite fortunate that our stay coincided with the event.

2. Tbourida Rehearsal The Tbourida is pageant/competition of men and horses that takes place at both a local and national level in Morocco. Before we arrived at Olinto, guest services reached out to let us know that the local team would be rehearsing for several days nearby and that we might be interested in attending. This team had done quite well in last year's annual competition.

The afternoon of our arrival, we walked with several other guests and staff to the nearby rehearsal grounds and watched fifteen riders on beautiful horses practicing shooting their muskets in unison while galloping at full tilt. It was a unique, cultural opportunity that we wouldn't have known about if not...

If attention to detail were an art form then Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio, the Italian aristocrat and visionary creator of the Olinto Atlas mountain retreat would surely be one of the greatest artists of all time. |No amount of words, sentences or superlatives can adequately convey the magnificent splendour and unhindered tranquility that this remarkable corner of Morocco offers those fortunate enough to visit. ||The high Atlas Mountains appear as sentries, surrounding and protecting this very special place which was crafted by skilled and seasoned artisans both local and international. |A mere five years ago, a simple olive grove was all that occupied this valley close to Ourigane but as you quietly wander along the lazily twisting paths, expertly laid from locally hewn volcanic rock, it seems as though the low buildings and gently bubbling streams and ponds have simply ‘grown’ through the ancient olive trees so integral and ingenious is the design. The subtle aroma of jasmine and lavender accompany you on your stroll through the lush greenery, overloading your senses with beauty at every turn. ||Visitors are accommodated in one of nine pavilions, each one enjoying unique and sumptuous decor, their distinctive characteristics adding to and enhancing the overall feeling of a very special and individualised experience. ||But what of the people charged as gatekeepers for this earthly wonder, the mortal men and women who welcome and inform their guests, sharing knowledge and offering true Berber hospitality. Selected, in most cases, from the local area it would be criminally understating the reality to call them staff, they are simply perfect ambassadors for this garden of Eden . Every small interaction is a pleasure and nothing is too much trouble. Their nomadic ancestors were famous for their kindness and hospitality and that bygone age of honesty, decency and charm flows through Olinto like a mighty river. ||Locally sourced ingredients enhanced by herbs grown in the property’s meandering gardens are used to create a veritable tapestry of Moroccan cuisine, crafted by Olinto’s hugely talented and delightfully friendly chefs, and sipping one of their signature cocktails to start your evening off, adds up to the perfect way to end your day in this magical place. ||Explaining the experience of Olinto through the pen is an impossible task, it’s magic is in its people, it’s peacefulness is becoming a part of its environment and its soul is all encompassing and warm, it is a feeling pure and simple and one every visitor will...

If attention to detail were an art form then Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio, the Italian aristocrat and visionary creator of the Olinto Atlas mountain retreat would surely be one of the greatest artists of all time. |No amount of words, sentences or superlatives can adequately convey the magnificent splendour and unhindered tranquility that this remarkable corner of Morocco offers those fortunate enough to visit. ||The high Atlas Mountains appear as sentries, surrounding and protecting this very special place which was crafted by skilled and seasoned artisans both local and international. |A mere five years ago, a simple olive grove was all that occupied this valley close to Ourigane but as you quietly wander along the lazily twisting paths, expertly laid from locally hewn volcanic rock, it seems as though the low buildings and gently bubbling streams and ponds have simply ‘grown’ through the ancient olive trees so integral and ingenious is the design. The subtle aroma of jasmine and lavender accompany you on your stroll through the lush greenery, overloading your senses with beauty at every turn. ||Visitors are accommodated in one of nine pavilions, each one enjoying unique and sumptuous decor, their distinctive characteristics adding to and enhancing the overall feeling of a very special and individualised experience. ||But what of the people charged as gatekeepers for this earthly wonder, the mortal men and women who welcome and inform their guests, sharing knowledge and offering true Berber hospitality. Selected, in most cases, from the local area it would be criminally understating the reality to call them staff, they are simply perfect ambassadors for this garden of Eden . Every small interaction is a pleasure and nothing is too much trouble. Their nomadic ancestors were famous for their kindness and hospitality and that bygone age of honesty, decency and charm flows through Olinto like a mighty river. ||Locally sourced ingredients enhanced by herbs grown in the property’s meandering gardens are used to create a veritable tapestry of Moroccan cuisine, crafted by Olinto’s hugely talented and delightfully friendly chefs, and sipping one of their signature cocktails to start your evening off, adds up to the perfect way to end your day in this magical place. ||Explaining the experience of Olinto through the pen is an impossible task, it’s magic is in its people, it’s peacefulness is becoming a part of its environment and its soul is all encompassing and warm, it is a feeling pure and simple and one every visitor will...