Sandfish

The desert setting itself was lovely, and the other staff members were nice, but the stay was very disappointing. After a long day of travel, dinner arrived two hours late. When we told the manager at our table, he was rude, wouldn't accept any criticism, and stayed passive-aggressive all evening. We didn't feel welcome. We also weren't told that water wasn't included with dinner, and other guests seemed surprised too. In every other place we'd travelled, “drinks not included” meant soft drinks and cocktails. The so-called luxury tent was another letdown: its bathroom was small and dirty, with barely any running water, the beds were very hard, and the sheets too thin for desert nights. Everything about the organisation felt chaotic, as if they were doing it for the first time. The manager was rude and dishonest.

A beautiful, breathtaking place tucked beside small dunes and away from the road where many other camps are. The staff were extremely kind, a fine example of Berber hospitality, and the breakfasts and dinners were generous and very good quality. Having a swimming pool felt maybe a bit too much for us.

The camel ride was magical, and the staff were friendly. The cosy rooms were just right for a December evening, making this a great little desert camping spot. The bathrooms were a bit primitive, with only cold water, and, as you'd expect, sand gets tracked into the rooms. That's part of the experience, though, and I'd stay again.

The desert at night, the sky, and the music all helped us understand more about the local culture and sense of freedom. The people here are truly kind-hearted, probably the best thing about the camp, even though I've stayed in more luxurious places. I wish I could remember their names. The camels are very well cared for, too. The Berebers are my new favourite people.