Stay Smarter

Set your expectations right to have the best experience at Hotel Sidi Idriss: you are staying here for the memory, not the comfort. The rooms are actually hollowed-out caves with whitewashed walls. There is no lock in a real sense of the word (a simple latch or padlock will do), and wooden plank doors. Communal bathroom blocks-in-the-tunnels, flip-flops-for-the-shower, bring your own towel/toiletries since amenities are not provided. Try to catch a shower late afternoon when presumably all solar heaters have been working because apparently there is an inconsistent supply of hot water.

For photography enthusiasts, the best time to catch good light in the main courtyard (the Star Wars pit) is around midday 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Because this place is a deep pit, only when the sun is directly overhead does it fully illuminate the bottom of the pit. In its extremities-in early morning or late afternoon-the whole courtyard lies in heavy shadow which makes taking photographs there quite difficult however at sunset there's some beautiful soft light on top rim hotel perfect landscape shot over village.

Star Wars fans, check out the dining room. That ceiling fresco from the movie is still up there (restored by fans some years ago), and those same tables at which Luke Skywalker drank his blue milk are waiting for you. Just remember: this hotel happens to be a working tourist attraction. Between about 10 in the morning until three in the afternoon, when tour buses unload hordes of day trippers who will walk past your room and through that dining area- stay overnight if you want any peace with "the Force." The real magic sets in after sunset when all tourists have left, stars come out(lack of light pollution is amazing),and whole homestead becomes yours alone.It does get surprisingly cold at night even summer so bring warm sweater or jacket evenings.