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If you are planning a trip to Morocco, then visiting Todra Gorge is an absolute must. This limestone river canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famed for its breathtaking scenery. No surprise, then, that it draws thousands of visitors every year!
I visited Todra Gorge on my way back from the Sahara Desert. And although Todra Gorge itself was incredible to see, it turns out that my overnight stay was just as amazing. It was easily one of my favourite accommodations in all of Morocco, right up there with this Dades Valley hotel and this private riad in Marrakech. I don't know about you but I firmly believe that a good place to stay (and good food!) can make a trip, and trust me, this Todra Gorge hotel did not disappoint.
Most places to stay in the area are based in Tinghir, the closest city to the gorge. But if you’re like me and prefer more unique accommodation, then you’re in luck. Because I found a cave hotel – yes, an actual cave hotel – right inside the canyon itself. An absolute win-win in my opinion!
So, if you’re after the best overnight stay in Todra Gorge, keep reading for my full review of Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge.
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Location of Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge
Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge is about a 30-minute drive from the city of Tinghir. In the Google Maps below, I’ve marked the hotel in pink, and all the yellow markers show the main attractions in and around Tinghir. This way, you can get a feel for where the hotel is and how close it is to all the must-see spots.
My Honest Review of Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge
The road to Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge isn’t the smoothest, but that’s all part of the off-the-beaten-path adventure! It's easy enough to get from Tinghir to the Todra Gorge UNESCO site, but after that, it's another five to ten minutes on a narrow, single-track road with very few passing places. Not ideal, but at least we hardly saw any other cars along the way (and that was in peak season!). That being said, I really wouldn't recommend driving this road in the dark – in fact, I wouldn’t suggest driving in Morocco at night at all. The cities are chaotic, and the lighting in the countryside is poor.
But back to the hotel: driving along the single-track road, you are in danger of blinking and missing the hotel entirely as it blends seamlessly into the surroundings. It's tucked away on the opposite side of the canyon from the road, but if you keep going, you'll eventually reach a gravel turnoff leading over to the hotel (again, not the smoothest road!). The hotel has its own private car park with space for about 5-10 cars. So, once you've parked up, then you can relax from the drive and turn your attention to soaking up the peace and quiet!
From the moment we walked into reception, the staff were incredibly welcoming. Check-in was easy: a quick form, some snacks, and a glass of refreshing mint tea later, and we were all set. After three hours on the road, that little tea break was much needed. Then came the best part – getting the keys to my double cave room. Yep, an actual cave. There are only a handful of these rooms, so if you want one, make sure to book early! The hotel also offers other room types including standard double rooms, family rooms, and apartments, all decorated in traditional Berber style with stunning mountain or valley views. But I personally think the cave room takes the prize!
Dinner can be served outside, and both the food and the views were incredible.
I visited Morocco in the peak of summer: with temperatures regularly soaring into the 40s, we had no idea how much of a blessing a cave hotel would be. It wasn’t until I stepped inside my refreshingly cool room that I realised I had accidentally made the smartest decision of our trip. The rooms were surprisingly spacious, the beds were super comfy, and stepping out the door each morning to the Todra Gorge views never got old. Plus, every room comes with a private bathroom, warm showers, and surprisingly good water pressure despite the remote location. There’s also a tiny pool/hot tub. I say 'hot tub' loosely, as it’s more of a small body of water than a luxurious spa experience, but hey, it exists!
One of the biggest highlights of this hotel is the view. No matter where you stand, you’re surrounded by breathtaking, 360-degree panoramas of the gorge. Whether you want to sit back and soak it all in, read a book, or head out on an adventure, it's up to you! If you’re the type who hates sitting around, the hotel offers donkey rides, cooking classes, cultural experiences, climbing, hiking tours, and bike rentals – so there’s no shortage of things to do!
For dinner, there was no way we were braving the road back out again, so we ate at the hotel – and I'm so glad we did. The tagine was ridiculously good and they even had a vegetarian option. I swear knowing that the hotel grows its own organic ingredients made it taste even better. Breakfast, which was included, was just as great and the perfect way to fuel up before hitting the road to Ait Ben Haddou.
In all honesty, the WiFi wasn’t great, but honestly, that just made it easier to switch off and enjoy the moment. I can't remember exactly, but I think they only accept cash due to connectivity issues with card payments, so make sure to bring some with you!
After dinner, the hotel staff treated us to live Berber music, getting everyone involved with drumming, dancing, and singing. It was the perfect end to an already magical stay. As the sun set, the sky started to fill with stars, framed by the mountains. Although visiting in summer meant a little haze in the sky, if you come in autumn or winter, the stargazing would be even better.
Being in the middle of nowhere meant absolute silence and an incredibly peaceful night’s sleep. Waking up feeling completely refreshed was pure bliss.
As we were leaving, we noticed a lot of construction in the area. A quick search revealed that many new hotels are popping up, meaning Todra Gorge is becoming more developed. It’s great for choice, but it does take away some of that untouched, hidden-gem magic.
Despite this, Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge was absolutely spectacular. The food was delicious, the peaceful surroundings were blissful, and the service was top-notch. The real game-changer, though, was the naturally cool cave rooms. If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable stay in Todra Gorge, this is where you need to be!
The sunloungers are the perfect spot for a bit of stargazing (left), and on the right is a photo of the stars I snapped with my iPhone at Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge.
How Much Did I Pay to Stay at Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge?
I booked the Cave Double Room at Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge, which cost £65 for the night. Now, let’s be real this is slightly more expensive than other accommodation in Morocco– you’re mostly paying for the unbeatable location (one of the few hotels actually inside the Todra Gorge) and the sheer novelty of sleeping in a cave. But honestly? The hotel itself is incredible! And hey, at least the parking was free too!
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