Olinto Atlas Mountain Retreat

Luxury Mountain Retreat in Marrakech | 5-Star Escape

Those seeking absolute tranquility and a much-needed escape from it all will find themselves surrounded by stunning views and fresh mountain air. Olinto was created by Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa, a pioneer in creating legendary properties in Morocco. It occupies a charming location at the foot of the mountain, just above the Berber village of Imlil. Olinto, is suggestive of the olive grove around which the hotel was built. These trees produce the olive oil that is used in the hotel's excellent restaurant. The grounds are also scented with roses, oleanders and scented pines. The nine pavilions are as beautiful as their surroundings. Just like the owner's eye for design - this place has a look he calls "suspended in time". Entering the bar, for example, with its colorful stained glass windows, chunky leather sofas and moody Art Deco ambiance, you don't know if the space has been there for a year, ten years or 50. The rooms are a tribute to local craftsmanship , with richly colored textiles, carefully inlaid brick ceilings and leather headboards. The doors of the closets and bathrooms are some of the most elaborate and sculpted that you have ever seen outside of a museum. This being Morocco, the service is warm and generous. Less common in rural areas, it is also quite polite, with staff remembering how guests drink their coffee. At the foot of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, Olinto is an excellent base for practicing adventure sports such as hiking, mountain biking and peak climbing, and also for visiting women's cooperatives and organizing visits to homestays in the surrounding Berber villages and feast on homemade tagines. It's also a great base for doing almost nothing. There are shaded patios and plant-covered pergolas, and a large pool surrounded by silvery olive branches. Some of the pavilions have their own private pools, with the same stunning views of the Atlas Mountains, and all have furnished rooftops, reached via outdoor spiral staircases, for sunbathing.