Riad La Luna is another option for a stay around Merzouga, the small Moroccan desert settlement at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. It suits travellers who prefer a guesthouse or riad atmosphere, with the village close by, to a fully tented camp. Because this part of southeastern Morocco has everything from simple guesthouses to tented desert camps, it helps to know what kind of stay you are booking before you compare prices. Riad La Luna is a riad-style guesthouse in Merzouga, so expect the experience to be shaped by that rather than by a big-hotel template. Room types, bathrooms, meals, heating and cooling, and whether activities such as camel treks, sandboarding or sunset dune walks can be arranged all differ from one place to the next, so check when you book. Many visitors stay one or two nights here as part of a longer route between Fes, the Todra and Dades gorges and Marrakech, and the most memorable moments tend to be sunrise and sunset on the dunes. This is a place for couples, first-time visitors and anyone who wants a comfortable base with a more traditional Moroccan feel.
Location and getting around
Riad La Luna is in the Merzouga area, close to the Erg Chebbi dunes that draw most visitors to this corner of Morocco. Exact distances to the dunes, to the village and to nearby towns such as Rissani and Erfoud depend on where the property sits, so check the map when you book. Roads to the dune edge can be sandy or unpaved, and some camps meet guests in the village and take them in by camel or 4x4, so ask how arrival works, especially if you are arriving late or in poor weather.
A rental car is useful for the wider region, while many guests join tours or arrange a driver from Fes, Marrakech or Ouarzazate.
What to expect
Stays in this region range from simple rooms with a shared terrace to well-appointed tents and suites, and descriptions can sound similar even when the comfort level is quite different. When you compare Riad La Luna with other options, look at the photos, the bed and bathroom details, whether a meal such as dinner or breakfast is included, and whether there is hot water, air conditioning or heating.
Evenings in the desert can be surprisingly cold between late autumn and early spring, while summer days are very hot, so the season you travel in matters. Ask about sunrise and sunset activities, and whether music or a campfire evening is part of the stay.
Good to know
The best weather is generally spring and autumn, and popular nights can sell out around school holidays and festivals, so book ahead where you can. Bring a scarf or light cloth for blowing sand, a warm layer for the evening, sunscreen and a refillable bottle. Cash is helpful in small desert settlements, and card payment or mobile signal can be patchy, so check when you book.
Cancellation terms, check-in times and what is included can change, so read them at the time of booking and message the property if you have a late arrival or a dietary need. If you only have one night, choose a place that makes the dunes easy to reach.
Why stay here
- ✓Near the Erg Chebbi dunes
- ✓Breakfast (check when you book)
- ✓Dinner (check when you book)
- ✓Dune and desert activities (ask first)
- ✓Heating and cooling (check room type)
- ✓Hot water (check when you book)
- ✓Wi-Fi (check when you book)
- ✓Cancellation terms (check when you book)
Good questions
What kind of stay is Riad La Luna?+
It is a riad-style guesthouse in Merzouga. Room types and facilities vary, so check when you book.
How far is Riad La Luna from the dunes?+
Distances differ by property, so check the map when you book and ask how arrival works, especially after dark.
When is the best time to stay near Merzouga?+
Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable. Summer days are very hot and winter nights can be cold, so pack accordingly.
