In literal terms , Auberge Du Sud translates to Hotel in the Western Desert . It is located near the town of Merzouga , Morocco . Situated somewhere between fantasy and film magic , this picturesque hotel is engulfed between Erg Chebbi ’ s four hundred-foot dunes and is all but swallowed up by the Sahara Desert . Combining the adventure of exploring the Sahara Desert , Moroccan traditions , and luxury comforts , Auberge Du Sud , is considered by staff and guests , to be a destination in of itself .
The setting is quite magical . With sand in our toes , we walk through golden arches towards a man named Moustaf . He and his team greet us with open arms and mint tea . His staff bustle around in traditional Moroccan garments ; light , wide , cotton pants , a loose fitting white top , brown leather sandals and a colorful headscarf wrapped several times around their heads . At first glance , it feels as though we ’ ve gone through time , but in reality , the Auberge du Sud is steeped in history and tradition far beyond garments .
It began in 1982 as a single tent . Travelers would journey to the outskirts of nowhere to bear witness to the sunset and rise , drink tea , and camp in the desert . With time , this experience grew in popularity , drawing crowds of foreign travelers which far exceeded the tents humble capacity . As a result , guests would bring sleeping bags and sleep outside the tents and this previously isolated tent in the desert boomed into a popular destination . Now , the hotel resembles a large , French-inspired castle , with 36 rooms in the main building and 4 in a newly built Riad . For those who may not know , a Riad is a large luxurious home turned into a Bed and Breakfast . A room in the Riad , located a short distance from the main building , is grander in every sense of the word , with nightly rates starting at 150 euros per person . This is an effort by the
60 ILHA