Dar Zerhoune

Welcome to Dar Zerhoune - an authentic landmark of modern comfort overlooking the Roman Empire's southernmost post in a landscape of ancient rural traditions, where quality is delivered simply and personally under the watchful eye of Rose Button (a Kiwi engineer turned guesthouse owner) - to allow you to experience and explore this unspoiled crossroads of cultures and spirituality. Dar Zerhoune is a traditional Moroccan home nestled in the white-washed hilltop of Moulay Idriss Zerhoune town. Small enough to feel cosy to the individual, large enough to rent exclusively for an intimate retreat, Dar Zerhoune is an off-the-tourist-track addition to your tour of nearby Imperial Meknes and Fez where you will experience authentic Morocco and we offer excursions like the locals live. It is just 1 hour walk through olive groves and with mountain views to the roman ruins of Volubilis and has many other surprises such as Roman baths, a forest and an opportunity to peek into local life - so please, come and dine on our terrace restaurant or stay for a night or more and discover what is beyond Volubilis. Relax on our terrace for lunch (for those just passing through), or stay late into the evening and enjoy the african sunset over Volubilis and the valley, enjoying home cooked traditional meals prepared from fresh, seasonal market ingredients. Our roof terrace is fabulous with views spanning from the town of Moulay Idriss to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and back to the mountains and the long deep valley. At Dar Zerhoune we believe in integrating in and taking care of our community. We currently run 3 community projects; providing free English lessons to the local people; free veterinary care for the local donkeys each month and since 2008 we have sponsored Amal, a child from the SOS children's villages [The SOS children's villages provide provide orphaned and abandoned children with loving family homes in 125 countries]. By staying at Dar Zerhoune you are supporting these projects and the community of Moulay Idriss. Dar Zerhoune is owned by Rose Button, originally from New Zealand and the UK, she was a tourist in 2006 and visited Moulay Idriss and Volubilis on a day trip and returned one year later to buy Dar Zerhoune. Rose was the first, and only, female foreigner to buy a house in Moulay Idriss, complete the restoration and gain permission to run as a guesthouse. Dar Zerhoune is managed by Hajiba, who speaks fluent French, English and Arabic. Rose stays regularly and continues to love local life in Moulay Idriss and is happy to share her life and experiences being a local, and outsider, living in the Holy City of Moulay Idriss - come and visit or send her a message at [email protected]. Her favourite activities are swimming in the outdoor roman baths, baking in the community oven, shopping in the daily markets and sitting in the main square watching the world go by. When she is not in Morocco, Rose works as a process engineer in the UK and given her engineering background Dar Zerhoune was restored with western standards in mind - hot hot water, strong WIFI internet, a relaxing terrace and warm rooms in winter and cool rooms in summer. The restoration of Dar Zerhoune is warm, welcoming, calming, elegant, light and relaxed - though see for yourself! Rose has brought many western comforts, for example in winter each bed has an electric blanket to keep you warm, duvets, sheets and towels from the UK. The restoration work removed layers of lacquer, paint, tiles and varnish to return the columns, rooms and woodwork to their original state. Dar Zerhoune is in the centre of Moulay Idriss, and just a few minutes walk from the main square, grand taxi stand and mausoleum. Just 1 hour walk to Volubilis and a short walk from mountain hikes, Roman baths and a forest. An ideal location for an overnight stay, or to relax for a week.