Illustrative photo of the region — the property's own gallery is on the booking page.

A family-run riad inside a shaded palm grove at the Sahara's gate — pool, cooking classes, and a named chef turning out proper Berber cooking.

Riad Zagora Palms sits in its own hectare of shaded palm grove just outside Zagora, at what locals call the Sahara's gate — the last proper town before the road runs out into the dunes. It's family-run, with a named manager and chef rather than a chain's house style, and rooms come as doubles, triples and family suites among the trees.

The pool and shaded terrace are a genuine relief after a day on the desert road, and the kitchen turns out Moroccan and Berber dishes worth planning dinner around. For anyone breaking the drive toward Erg Chigaga or the M'Hamid dunes, or just wanting a calm oasis night before or after the Sahara, this is a well-placed, unpretentious stop.

Why we chose it

• Set inside a wooded palm grove of over a hectare, not the town centre
• Family-run, with a named chef and manager rather than a corporate front desk
• Cooking classes and desert-bivouac excursions arranged on site

Amenities

• Outdoor swimming pool with shaded terrace
• Restaurant serving Moroccan and Berber cuisine
• Wooded palm-grove garden with individual seating
• Cooking classes and desert-bivouac excursions

Frequently asked questions