Silk scarves hanging branches define our domain

Thierry Teyssier organizes events for large firms. Envy him came to apply its methods of creator of holiday hospitality, to offer to customers, blasés by going to palaces, a different story. Because exotic also has lost its aura. Posters advertising on buses for trips to the Morocco give us the illusion of having already visited this country. And once there, the reality sometimes disappointed expectations. Dar Ahlam is located in the palmeraie of Marrakech, near Ouarzazate. The road, only crowns of Palm trees cut on snow-covered Atlas mountains. But as soon as there is risk on dirt roads, fields of green wheat belt of ochre walls, orchards and gardens maintained with meticulous care available to the view of the traveller.

The detour of the track appears a seigneurial residence in Pisa. Our hotel, nestled in an ancient casbah, imposing building fortified with the noble facade overlooks an oasis enclosed by high walls. Here begins the "House of dreams" and another way to receive. As for Thierry Teyssier, a traditional hotel would not have been at the unique character of this institution - promoted this year to the rank of Relais & Châteaux.

Upon arrival at Dar Ahlam, the absence of receipt is a first indication. It is received by a host who invites us to consider his house like ours, in accordance with Arab hospitality. Conducted in a suite with a terrace, but without electronics dépareraient the decor of this Berber castel, we quickly lose the sense of orientation in a maze of corridors and doors on shady patios where runoff fountains.

The staff, dressed in black, seems to pass through walls and it is discreet. Other clients, step of traces, if not a couple, pool, which appears to be lost in an inner contemplation which he does not interrupt the course. Later, it will learn that the villas in the compound of the property have their own pools. But the time has come to lunch. However, dining room, point. Our coryphaeus proposed to take advantage of the vast garden. Precisely, a low table was drawn up for us in an Arbour, a few cushions arranged on a vast carpet asked even the grass. Silk scarves hanging branches define our domain. And here us are installed, such as the characters of Persian miniature, a delicious meal of Palm products: seasonal vegetables, lamb shoulder, desserts dominated the fruits of nearby orchards. In the evening, dinner will be the allure of a secret ceremony, in a room illuminated by the lights of dozens of candles, decor which appears to have been improvised for us only. A corridor near resonate accents rustic and painful to a singing invisible musician derives from his torch. Magic. Magic also the capacity of the hotel to reinvent things and organize for guests excursions and outings. Course spa, with its hammam under the cupola whose tiny dormers let in light and make shine a marquetry of reflections on the water in the indoor pool. A visit to the souk of the Palm Grove where lie the riches of the oasis in a high shambles with colours and sounds.

Above all, Dar Ahlam plans in any Atlas, for apotheosis, the possibility of spending the night in the desert. After two hours of trail, 4 x 4 leads on the western fringes of the Sahara dunes. In a bowl of the erg, a tent caïdale awaits us: bed, lighting the candle and water in a jug. The adventure is as comfortable outside. The sunset dinner, breakfast at sunrise, the hotel is as if by magic transplanted in this wild corner where there is more that we, face-to-face with the stars. The dream...

BOX .

IN PRACTICE

Go

Royal Air Morocco provides two direct flights to Ouarzazate, Saturday and Monday from Paris. From 195 Euro (s) return.

House

Dar Ahlam Palmeraie of Marrakech, Ouarzazate Province, Morocco. Tel.: (212) 02 48 52 239.

Formula all inclusive with car including transfers go and return to the airport of Ouarzazate, the meals and snacks served on request, drinks (except French and champagne wines), massages, excursions in 4 x 4 with driver and guide available.

After 700 Euro (s) (1 person) or 900 Euro (s) (2 people) at night (770 and 990 Euro (s) in the high season).

Villas from 1 100 Euro (s) (2 people) at night (1 200 Euro (s) in the high season). A night in the desert in a privative tent 1 500 Euro (s) (2 people).