Kasbah Tamadot will relaunch this year with six new riads and a reimagined restaurant that heroes homegrown produce. Olivia Palamountain reports
Richard Branson’s Moroccan hotel Kasbah Tamadot (part of Virgin Limited Edition) is undergoing a major expansion, with the addition of six opulent riads, opening in July this year.
The award-winning Atlas Mountains retreat, renowned for its authentic Berber hospitality, will then fully re-open on October 15 following renovations prompted by last year’s devastating earthquake in the region.
The new three-bedroom private riads can accommodate up to 10 guests each and feature their own lounges, terraces and swimming pools, providing an ultra-exclusive experience within the confines of the luxurious hotel.
A standout feature is the new rooftop tented suite, complete with a hot tub and panoramic mountain views in a modern take on traditional Moroccan design.
Each riad’s interior decor draws inspiration from local Berber culture, with soft furnishings handmade by artisans from communities supported by the hotel’s charitable arm, the Eve Branson Foundation.
Booking for the new riads will be available from July 1, 2024, with rates starting at MAD 45,100 (£3,530) for a three-bedroom Riad on a B&B basis. Rates for the hotel, open from October 15 onwards, start at MAD 7,200 (£563) based on two people sharing on a B&B basis.
The new accommodations complement Kasbah Tamadot’s Berber luxury tents, which feature private terraces some (some also have hot tubs), while the main infinity pool area remains as one of the hotel’s most striking features surrounded by 360-degree views of the High Atlas Mountains. 
Further elevations to the existing property include Asayss, a new Moroccan and international cuisine restaurant debuting in July under existing executive chef Yassine Khalal.
Celebrating local ingredients from the hotel’s own kitchen gardens, Asayss takes its name from the traditional Moroccan gathering spaces for poets. It will serve a tasting menu each evening.
Beyond dining, the hotel offers local-inspired spa treatments including a traditional Hamman, as well as authentic Moroccan cooking lessons and guided hiking and cycling in the surrounding Atlas Mountains.
The riads and restaurant opening represent a celebratory milestone after a difficult period. Kasbah Tamadot was impacted by the September 2023 earthquake that struck Morocco’s rural communities, with the hotel and Eve Branson Foundation raising £1 million for emergency relief efforts.