Our stay at the Scarabeo Desert Camp started in the heart of the Marrakech’ Medina, where we stayed at one of the luxury boutique riad hotels and from where the Scarabeo team picked us up. Seemingly minutes later, the landscape changed from urban to desert. But the impression of arriving at a place far from civilization was not just the first, superficial impression.
The camp, set up in a temporary location, is organized around the concept of simple luxury. The emphasis is put on good service, hearty cuisine, and a range of activities — but the chic tents are basic. And it’s part of the charm of Scarabeo’s “desert luxury.”
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The moon-like, imposing landscape of the arid Agafay desert with the Atlas Mountain range on the horizon makes a beautiful backdrop for the white tents, sharply contrasting with the wasteland’s dramatic colors.
The Scarabeo Camp embraces its desert location, creating a pure hotel experience with the clarity of desert life. The design creates a feeling of being part of an expedition from the golden age of explorers; it’s a trip back to simpler times. From evening bonfires to the aroma of fresh bread in the cold air of the early morning, the luxury desert camp Scarabeo immerses its guests in the serenity and magic of camping in the desert.
The Belgian team of photographer Vincent T’Sas and graphic designer Florence Mottet dreamed up the Scarabeo Project, and their creative background has been the driving power behind the camp’s success.
The tents are simple, but their interiors are tastefully decorated. Inspired by some of the best African lodge designs; the style of the camp is notable for its restraint. This makes it different from what could be expected from a typical “Moroccan” design, overwhelmed with patterns and fabrics.
The Belgian founders of Scarabeo made the simple luxury style one of the main attractions of the camp. The design matches the landscape in tonal purity of the natural materials: white tents and bedding, caramel-leather chairs, travel artifacts, Moroccan lanterns, bleached wood, weaved floor mats, and biscuit-colored cushions.
“Perhaps the best way of describing Scarabeo Camp is [its] magic formula: a charming bivouac of oriental-inspired tents, following the rhythm of the seasons”
— Vincent T’Sas and Florence Mottet
The camp is less than an hour’s drive from Marrakesh; however, its exact location can vary — there are two different sites where the camp gets set up. The location depends on the season, making the best out of warmer temperatures.
In winter, the tents are pitched right in the heart of the Agafay desert, but in summer, the temperatures go up way too high. The stone desert heat becomes unbearable. In these months, the camp moves a few kilometers to escape into the shade of a eucalyptus grove.
Where to stay in Marrakech
Alternatively, book Scarabeo Camp via:
Hotels.com or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
For more information, visit the Scarabeo website. Photos © TravelPlusStyle.com & Scarabeo Camp
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Author: Travel+Style. Last updated: 28/05/2023
