Auberge Sahara

The terrace is the point of the place: raised above the oasis palms, facing straight at the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Auberge Sahara stands a few hundred metres from that sand, in Hassilabied, in an oasis once used as a filming location for Marrakech Express and Desert Lion, among others. Rooms come in family, double, triple and quadruple configurations, each with its own terrace and ensuite bathroom, and floors laid in marble tile. The family room sleeps up to six, with a king bed and four further singles set around a small sitting area. In summer, guests can sleep on the rooftop terrace under open sky, watching the sun rise over the dunes. Beyond the rooms, the auberge runs camel treks, 4x4 excursions and overnight stays at its own desert camps, including a standard bivouac 500 metres off in the dunes, reached by camel before sunset and left again after sunrise. The hotel lies about 32 km from Rissani, with a signed turn four km short of Merzouga village. It keeps a straightforward, working rhythm: rooms, terrace, dunes, repeat.