Eclectic Kim Review: Dar Rihana Dades

After leaving Tiziri Camp that morning and spending the day exploring the Road to the Oasis: Rissani Market and Fossils of Morocco at Macro Fossiles Kasbah, arriving in Ait Ouffi at sunset felt like walking into a painting.

The light washed over the Atlas Mountains in soft golds and pinks, and the entire valley seemed to glow. It was such an incredible time – that Rachid had to let us know that we would be visiting the Dades Valley for photos the next day.

Check In

Check in at Dar Rihana Dades felt like a warm welcome.

We were greeted with Hot Mulled Tea – which I immediately became obsessed with. Melanie and I asked about the ingredients. The lemon juice, orange juice, cinnamon stick, rosemary, thyme, star anise, honey, ginger powder, and fresh ginger with water combo was oral pleasure in a cup.

We were also served a delicious take on chebakia, fragrant and sweet. It’s was one of the best moments of food in Morocco. I can’t explain it – it just was.

Rachid worked efficiently with the staff to get our room assignments sorted quickly, and our bags followed just minutes later. Everything felt smooth, thoughtful, and refreshingly calm after a long day on the road.

Room + Stay

I absolutely loved my room at Dar Rihana Dades. Truly, it felt like a space that I’d want to spend just one more day in. It was comfortable, cozy, and somehow both rustic and refined. The view alone – looking out over the valley at sunset – was a warm hug of life giving pleasure.

One of my favorite moments was opening the window around midnight. As I settled in, I listened to the dogs in the valley howl into the night. It was incredible.

The meals - Breakfast and Dinner at Dar Rihana Dades - were all absolutely as delicious as they were beautiful. Masterfully plated and deeply flavorful, the meals - served in a separate building a few feet from the riad - were made with a clear love for the region’s ingredients.

Overall

My stay at Dar Rihana Dades quickly became one of my most memorable stays of the entire trip. I genuinely hated leaving so early the next morning. Still, even with such a short visit, I left feeling grateful.