Music
Ambient sound of southern Morocco. Plays in the background as you browse.
Plan your stay
Plan your stay
How it works
All reservations submitted through the website are considered booking requests. Availability is always reviewed and confirmed by the Grup Xaluca reservations team before a reservation becomes final.
Pick one or more properties to start building your inquiry. Each becomes its own editable block below.
Room Rates
Per room · per night · breakfast included. Half-board, full-board and agency contracts on request.
Tap any room to compare boards
Prices in EUR · indicative public rates · final price confirmed by the concierge.
Our collection
A renovated mountain refuge, heated pool and spa overlooking a serene Atlas lake.
Located just 140 km from Fez Airport (≈ 2-hour drive), the hotel is the perfect destination for those seeking tranquility in nature and the serenity of one of Morocco's deepest lakes. Perched at 2 100 m of altitude, Lake Aguelmame Sidi Ali spans 400 hectares and reaches a depth of 36 m — a breathtaking natural site bordering the province of Ifrane, renowned for its majestic mountains and lush cedar forests. Originally designed as a hunting and fishing lodge, the building has been completely transformed by Grup Xaluca in collaboration with hundreds of local artisans and master woodworkers, preserving the site's authentic character. The hotel today offers 32 spacious rooms built in cedar wood, equipped with all the modern comforts to satisfy even the most discerning guests.
A wooden reception greets guests with a piece of the original sign from the former hunting lodge — a nostalgic nod to its history. A reception desk crafted from a giant tree trunk, a hand-carved lion sculpture, vintage telephones and carefully placed mirrors. Throughout the hotel, native materials, cedar walls and ceilings, Berber rugs from Beni Auran, copper fittings and triangular wooden roofs evoke the elegance of a high-mountain chalet.
A word from the founder
“Nestled among mountains and cedar forests, this enchanting retreat is the perfect escape into nature, where tranquility and stunning landscapes merge into an unforgettable experience.” — Hassan, Director.
A word from your host
There is a particular silence at 2 100 metres of altitude — the kind that you do not just hear, you sit inside. We rebuilt this old hunting lodge with the help of master cedar carvers from the surrounding villages, so that you would feel the woods even from the warmth of your bed. In winter, snow rests on the lake; in summer, the trout breaks the surface at dawn. Whatever the season, allow me one thing: let us serve you mint tea on the terrace the moment you arrive. The rest of the south of Morocco can wait — Sidi Ali begins with a pause.
With all my regards,
Hassan El Aouad
Director · Hotel Xaluca Spa Aguelmame Sidi Ali
Films from the property
Seven short films covering the property — its presentation, the table, wellness rituals, aerial footage, lifestyle, the excursions around it, and the artisans and music behind the place.
Quick facts
Local time & weather
Hotel Xaluca Spa Aguelmame Sidi Ali · 33.068°N · 4.993°W
Morocco · Africa/Casablanca
08:53:43
Thursday 25 June
18°27
Clear sky
Updated just now
Our collection
Four categories, each handcrafted with Berber textures and modern serenity.
01 · Rooms & Suites
Choose your view — seven lake-facing rooms with handwoven Berber rugs from Beni Auran, or volcano-facing rooms framing the silhouette of Aguelmame. Full bathroom with revitalizing shower, satellite TV, vintage telephone, minibar and a tea & coffee station.
02 · Rooms & Suites
Intimate twin rooms in cedar wood and warm tones — eight rooms framed by either the lake or the volcano silhouette. Full bathroom, satellite TV, vintage telephone and minibar.
03 · Rooms & Suites
Our quadruple Family Room sleeps up to four — generous wooden floors, full bathroom, satellite TV, telephone, minibar. Ideal for families or small groups travelling together.
04 · Rooms & Suites
Twelve junior suites with a generous lounge corner — six opening onto the lake, six framing the volcano. Built in cedar wood and dressed in warm tones, with a full bathroom, satellite TV, telephone and minibar.
05 · Rooms & Suites
Perched at the top of the stone-built hotel — Senior Suites framing the lake or the volcano peak. King-size bed, in-room whirlpool bathtub, private bathroom, satellite TV, telephone and minibar.
06 · Rooms & Suites
A fully independent suite perched on a hilltop with the best views of the lake. Master bedroom with king-size bed, stone and wood finishes, in-suite whirlpool jacuzzi, private bathroom, fireplace, flat-screen TV, minibar and a private terrace overlooking the volcano and the lake.
Services & Amenities
Heated indoor pool with integrated whirlpool area, Finnish sauna, steam bath, two individual massage rooms and a dedicated couples' room. A small connected gym completes the wellness journey.
A panoramic dining room with a majestic central fireplace, generous buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a wooden outdoor terrace for al fresco dining with breathtaking views of the lake.
Cozy bar with Chesterfield sofas, copper-and-wood fireplace, satellite TV, pool table and lake-view sitting area — the perfect spot for a drink, a book or live sports.
Fully equipped fitness room and an exclusive open-air jacuzzi perched on a hilltop, reached by a winding staircase, offering uninterrupted panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
An elegant conference room ideal for professional conferences, business meetings, unforgettable weddings and special celebrations — supported by a dedicated events team.
24/7 concierge, complimentary Wi-Fi, transfers from Fez airport (140 km), reservations for hiking, cedar-forest trekking and lake activities.
Wellness · Hammam · Argan
The highest spa in the Xaluca collection — a heated indoor pool with integrated balneo, a Finnish sauna and a steam hammam, all opening onto Lake Aguelmame Sidi Ali. Designed for slow days at altitude: a swim, a sauna, a long cedar-oil massage by the window.
Experiences
Steam, scrub and Atlas-cedar oil massage — the signature ritual of the lake.
A short guided breathing session in the heated pool, ideal on day-one to settle into 2,080 m.
In winter — hot sauna, plunge into the cold lake water, repeat. A Berber-Nordic exchange.
Signature treatments
Spaces
Year-round 32 °C pool with integrated balneo jets, lake-facing window wall.
Dry cedar cabin at 80 °C — eucalyptus and atlas-cedar infusions.
Steam hammam plus two individual cabins and one duo cabin, with a small fitness annex.
Our therapists tailor each ritual to your stay — speak to the spa concierge for a bespoke programme or to reserve before arrival.
Reserve a spa ritualSpa & Hammam
Heated waters, Berber hammam, signature massages — each treatment bookable on arrival or via the concierge.
Prices in EUR · all treatments bookable on arrival or via the concierge.
Rates · EUR
Public starting rates in EUR. Agency contracts and group rates are available on request.
Cedar walls · warm tones · 2 guests · double bed
Choose your view — seven lake-facing rooms with handwoven Berber rugs from Beni Auran, or volcano-facing rooms framing the silhouette of Aguelmame. Full bathroom with revitalizing shower, satellite TV, vintage telephone, minibar and a tea & coffee station.
Cedar walls · warm tones · 2-3 guests · twin beds
Intimate twin rooms in cedar wood and warm tones — eight rooms framed by either the lake or the volcano silhouette. Full bathroom, satellite TV, vintage telephone and minibar.
Spacious · cedar wood · Up to 4 guests
Our quadruple Family Room sleeps up to four — generous wooden floors, full bathroom, satellite TV, telephone, minibar. Ideal for families or small groups travelling together.
Lounge corner · cedar finish · 2-3 guests · lounge area
Twelve junior suites with a generous lounge corner — six opening onto the lake, six framing the volcano. Built in cedar wood and dressed in warm tones, with a full bathroom, satellite TV, telephone and minibar.
King-size bed · in-room jacuzzi · 2-4 guests · King-size
Perched at the top of the stone-built hotel — Senior Suites framing the lake or the volcano peak. King-size bed, in-room whirlpool bathtub, private bathroom, satellite TV, telephone and minibar.
Independent · hilltop · private terrace · 2 guests · King-size
A fully independent suite perched on a hilltop with the best views of the lake. Master bedroom with king-size bed, stone and wood finishes, in-suite whirlpool jacuzzi, private bathroom, fireplace, flat-screen TV, minibar and a private terrace overlooking the volcano and the lake.
Rates are indicative starting prices, excluding tourism tax and seasonal variations. Final pricing is confirmed at booking in MAD.
Experiences
Curated excursions designed with our local guides — desert, mountain, culture and cuisine.
Scenic walking trails along the shores of Lake Aguelmame Sidi Ali, suitable for all levels and rich in birdlife.
Discover the excursion
Trekking through Morocco's Middle and High Atlas — breathtaking landscapes, routes for every level, and chances to spot Barbary macaques in the cedars.
Discover the excursion
Guided cold-water immersion in one of Morocco's deepest lakes — improves circulation, strengthens the immune system and resets body and mind.
Discover the excursion
Discover the alpine-style town of Ifrane and the legendary Atlas cedar forests, home to centuries-old trees and protected wildlife.
Discover the excursion
Minimal light pollution at altitude makes the lake one of the finest skies of northern Morocco — guided evenings from the terrace.
Discover the excursionThings to do nearby
A territory of contrasts within an hour's drive — from millennial markets to UNESCO ksour.
The largest date market of Morocco — October harvest festival is unmissable.
Discover this place
Berber medicines, silver jewelry, donkey caravans — alive every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday.
Discover this place
Home of the Gnawa community and the haunting Pigeon-Black music.
Discover this place
Crimson cliffs rising 300 m, a paradise for climbers and photographers.
Discover this place
UNESCO mud-brick city, set of Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Discover this placeDiscover 400-million-year-old ammonites in an open-air workshop.
Discover this placeSpa menu
A treatment menu inspired by Berber traditions, refined for our spa cabins.
Steam ritual in our hammam space — the gateway to deeper Berber wellness.
Black-soap scrub for renewed, glowing skin.
Dry-heat sauna to release tension and prepare for massage.
Slow, full-body massage with warm argan oil.
Deep, invigorating massage — ideal after a day of hiking.
Complete signature ritual: steam, exfoliation and massage.
Heat and release — sauna followed by a relaxing massage.
Beauty & Personal Care
Traditional Moroccan beauty rituals — henna, argan, ghassoul — performed by our in-house artists.
Traditional Berber motifs on hands and feet — bridal & guest options.
Repairing argan mask, scalp massage and finish.
Soak with rose petals, file, polish, and pure ghassoul finish.
Full-day ritual: hammam, facial, massage, hair and henna for the bride-to-be.
Food & Beverage
Two restaurants, a rooftop bar and a library lounge — a tour of Moroccan and Mediterranean tables.
Restaurants
Berber & Moroccan fine dining
Slow-cooked tagines, mechoui pit-roast lamb, seasonal mezze and pastilla. À la carte and chef's tasting menu.
Restaurants
International cuisine
Mediterranean grills, fresh fish, pasta and refined vegetarian creations.
Signature cocktails
Wine selection
Bars & Lounges
Events
Bespoke event production from intimate ceremonies to thousand-guest gatherings.
Henna ceremonies, candlelit ksar courtyards, processions on horseback — up to 350 guests.
Three modular ballrooms, dune team-building, gala dinners in private bivouacs.
Cinematic locations, full production support, Land Rover and Porsche partnerships on file.
Bespoke multi-property circuits through southern Morocco for groups of 10 to 1,000.
Guest reviews
“An immersion of every sense. The night ride to the bivouac was the most magical evening of my life.”
“Impeccable service, refined cuisine and architecture that tells a real story.”
“Felt like being received into a family home. We came as travellers and left as guests.”
Location · Contact
Address
Lake Aguelmame Sidi Ali, Itzer 53250, Morocco
Getting there
From Midelt, 45 km north via P7227 (≈ 1h, scenic mountain road).
Private transfer recommended — no public coach reaches the lake.
Fès–Saïss (FEZ) · 230 km · transfers organized via Ifrane & Azrou.
Hours
Postcards from the road
A small collection of travel notes sent from Hotel Xaluca Spa Aguelmame Sidi Ali — to read between two cups of mint tea.
POSTCARD FROM MERZOUGA
The sea of dunes
Hello from the desert,
We climbed onto a camel just as the sun was setting over Erg Chebbi and, all of a sudden, the world fell silent. Tonight we sleep in a jaima beneath more stars than I have ever seen in my life.
With sand in my shoes,
Marta
The sea of dunes
Erg Chebbi · Sahara
Booking · Xaluca
Five quiet steps between intention and arrival — accompanied at every moment by a host, never a bot. The same warm process applies to every Grup Xaluca address: our kasbahs, riads, hotels, mountain refuge and the Saharan camps.
Step · 01
Browse the nine Xaluca addresses — a kasbah in Arfoud, a riad in Erg Chebbi, a refuge in the M'Goun, a luxury bivouac in the dunes. Pick one or stitch several together.
Step · 02
Tell us the dates you have in mind, or the loose week you're imagining. The southern light shifts every season — we can advise on the best window for your dream.
Step · 03
Submit the booking form or write directly to a host. Mention rooms, suites, bivouac tents, experiences, transfers — anything you'd like considered.
Step · 04
Within 24 hours, a host returns with availability, a draft programme and recommendations — restaurants for your taste, excursions for your pace, a route that breathes.
Step · 05
Once you say yes, we send the practical map — flights, transfers, packing notes, the weather of your week. Then we wait, the door open.
Beyond the form
Phone, email or WhatsApp — answered by the same family that runs the houses.
Airport pickups, inter-hotel drives, 4×4 dune transfers — arranged on request.
Multi-stay route across kasbahs, mountains and dunes — written for your rhythm.
From first email to last sunset — one host stays with your booking, from end to end.
No deposit required to enquire. We hold the conversation, not your card.
Book your stay
Let's imagine your stay together. Our team replies in under 24 hours.
Book nowDirect contact
Our philosophy
“At the heart of the Middle Atlas, by Morocco's deepest lake, time slows down and nature speaks first.”
Hotel Xaluca Spa Aguelmame Sidi Ali is more than a hotel — it is a private dialogue between cedar, stone and water. Reception, bar, restaurant and study lounge are all chapters of the same story: a place where local craftsmanship, art and unmatched comfort merge with the silence of the high Middle Atlas.
The Grup Xaluca ecosystem
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