Richard Branson’s parents first saw what is now Kasbah Tamadot when they were hot air ballooning over it in Morocco.

They met the owner who was an antique dealer and saw its potential.  They told Richard that unless he bought it and turned it into the world’s most beautiful hotel, they would disown him.  Richard paid about $1.5 million for the riad and its antiques.  Since then millions more have been invested in improving the property to what is is today.

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Our guide drove us about 45 miles southeast of Marrakech into the snow capped Atlas Mountains to Tamadot for our reservation for lunch.

Outside are mud and brick walls as with other riads.

To enter we had to go through a security check with a guard to verify our names were on the expected guest list.

Once we entered the entrance courtyard we knew this was very special.

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We were impressed by the beautiful courtyard and its lush landscaping with flowering bouganvillas.

The courtyard contained statues, sculptures, carved wood and stone around the doors and windows.

The entrance door was equally impressive.

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We were warmly met at the reception desk.

Then we were escorted through cactus gardens and landscaped pathways past an outdoor pool to the poolside terrace for lunch.

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The view from the terrace offers a sharp contract to the green and lush landscaping throughout Tamadot.

The terrace overlooks a wide scrub brush and sepia colored valley with brown mud brick villages dotting the opposite mountains.

There is a rushing river several hundreds of feet below.

The snow capped Atlas Mountains are in the background.

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We had a wonderful lunch of tagine cooked lamb and chicken each with its own special compliment of olives, citrus fruits, vegetables and spices.  And of course, some great Moroccan wine from a nearby vineyard.

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After lunch we began our tour of Tamadot with the outdoor infinity swimming pool.

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We continued to the indoor swimming pool.

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And onto one of the courtyards with a reflecting pool filled with rose petals.

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There are numerous courtyards, nooks, crannies, roof top terraces, private outdoor dining, and private pools offering outstanding vistas.

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There is even a game room with a pool table and an adjoining library to read or to meet friends for conversation.

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Tamadot has 27 rooms ranging in size from single rooms to Berber tents to three bedroom villas with their own private terrace, outdoor dining, and swimming pool.  Each room is lavishly decorated in its own color scheme and style.

Tamadot has a full range of saunas, athletic facilities, tennis courts, mule and camel rides (which we passed on).

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At dusk Tamadot becomes even more romantic and mystical with all the landscape lighting and resulting shadows.

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Since there are no TVs at Tamadot, they offer outdoor cinema.  Tonight’s movie was Casablanca.

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Kasbah Tamadot is truly a beautiful and unique boutique hotel.  If you get to Marrakech, go there, even if just for lunch and a chance to tour the grounds.  Be sure to call for reservations to get your name on the security guest list.

Tonight we drive to Casablanca to go to Rick’s America Cafe.  Stay tuned.