Kasbah Hotel Tombouctou

The rooms were wonderful, and I loved the design. The Sahara views, authentic decor, and stylish poolside setting made a big impression on me. The meal-time staff were kind and helpful. Reception didn’t feel as warm, but it wasn’t a big issue. I’m really glad I stayed here.

You can spend the day by the pool looking out at the desert, then relax around the campfire at night. The hotel’s backyard opens onto the desert and feels like an oasis. The rooms were clean, neat, and beautifully decorated, with welcome drinks waiting in them. There was a good variety at both breakfast and dinner, enough to suit everyone. The staff were cheerful, friendly, and helpful, and clearly made an extra effort to keep us comfortable. Such a lovely stay, and I can’t wait to visit again.

After our overnight camel trip, we had an early finish and needed somewhere to spend the day before heading to our next stop. For a small fee, we could use the pool here, and it was a really relaxing break. The water was sparkling clean and lovely to cool off in, the loungers were comfortable, and the service was kind and helpful.

The pool was filthy with pigeon droppings. Pigeons were roosting in the rafters and leaving mess in the water, while stray cats wandered the halls and got into rooms. The place felt like a derelict building, not a working hotel. The Wi-Fi didn’t work, and the food was like a greasy spoon that had stopped trying. I can’t believe it gets good reviews. My room was unbearably hot, around 35°C overnight, because the air conditioner was far too small. I spent the night soaked in sweat and feeling ill from the heat. The minibar had two tiny bottles of water, which I drank quickly, and staff refused to give me more when I asked. In the desert, being denied drinking water is outrageous. I ended up boiling tap water and drinking it hot, which made the room feel even more like a steam box and left me close to passing out. A stay here was a nightmare. At best, you might leave dehydrated and disgusted.