Just 45 minutes from Marrakech, Kasbah Bab Ourika is an innovative hotel boasting breath-taking panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and the National Park, which engulf the Berber villages and flank the valley along the length of the river. It is the result of a story of resilience, love and perseverance. This project was devised by Stephen Skinner – an English lawyer who, while in Morocco, decided to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and devote himself to a new concept. In the beginning, there wasn’t even any access to the hilltop, and so began the challenges of clearing the way ahead and creating an entrance to what was the vision of a unique rural project that few would have dared to invest in. Even during the construction of the main building, something of a challenge – where initially there was no electricity and water had to be carried by animals – it painstakingly acquired its shape, with the whole creation and division of the spaces, designed by the founder, and combined with the synergy of Beatriz Maximo – a Portuguese woman with a passion for interiors, art and oriental light and customs – who was responsible for the decoration. The inspiration came from the traditional local objects imbued with history (and stories) – from Moroccan carpets to art deco, even 1950s furniture – and the Berber houses, built using the rammed earth technique used since ancient times as an extension of the rocks themselves. It is thus one of the most ecological hotels in the country, contributing to sustainability and the local economy.