The second Caravan-branded hotel from Habitas in Morocco will not only have its own kitesurfing school but a ‘surf wellness’ clinic with a barrel sauna and IV drips. Jenny Southan reports
Featuring a state-of-the art kitesurfing school in collaboration with legendary surfer Robbie Naish, the Caravan Dakhla will open in January 2023, and will be the second of four Habitas properties set to open in Morocco over the coming years. (Caravan Agafay is just 45 minutes from downtown Marrakech and was unveiled in autumn 2022.)
Habitas is an expanding eco-hospitality group that has become known for building “flat-pack” modular hotels that are constructed off-site before being assembled in the vacation destination.
Caravan Dakhla is set on the shores of Morocco’s Dakhla lagoon, which has become one of the world’s top kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing destinations thanks to sapphire waters and consistent breezes.
According to the brand, Caravan Dakhla will be an “immersive experience focused on reconnecting with nature through the pursuit of adventure”.
The property will also have a locally-inspired restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, yoga and wellness centre, outdoor cinema, barrel sauna, cold plunge pool and Habitas’s signature agora communal gathering spaces.
Most interesting will be the fact that Caravan Dakhla will have its own kitesurfing school that has been co-created with Robbie Naish. There will be a roster of highly experienced instructors, which will include a rotation of Naish-sponsored pro kite surfers, as well as activities for both wind and no-wind days for guests of all levels.
Mountain biking will also be available. Beyond phsyical adventure, guests will be able to experience local Sahrawi tea ceremonies and live music.
Accompanying the school will be a one-of-a-kind Surf Wellness Clinic geared towards kitesurfing, introducing guests to various unique sports-focused activities such as barrel sauna, cold plunges, XPT fitness training, primal flow movement and yoga, as well as other progressive treatments such as IV drips, massages and breathwork.
Caravan Dakhla features 24 rooms across three different room categories, from traditional Riad-style rooms to modern villas and lodges. Features include outdoor showers and outdoor decks.
Desert Riad rooms at Caravan Dakhla start from 1,650 MAD (£130) per person based on double occupancy including F&B and all taxes. Prices exclude kiteboarding lessons.
For every guest that stays at Caravan Dakhla, Habitas will donate US$10 to its RISE Fund – the brand’s impact initiative to support local communities, create jobs and give back to local environmental and social causes.