Chefchaouen – A hotel in northern Morocco that has long welcomed large numbers of Asian visitors is now seeing a growing influx of Brazilian guests. A quiet and refined retreat in Chefchaouen, sought out by travelers exploring the region, Dar Ba Sidi & Spa has been investing in attracting Brazilian tourists, who have benefited from Royal Air Maroc’s direct flights to Morocco over the past year and a half.
“I returned from Brazil less than two months ago, and it’s already beginning to bear fruit. Brazilians really like Chefchaouen—it’s a truly authentic city,” said owner Najib Sidqui to a group of Brazilian journalists hosted at Dar Ba Sidi & Spa.
Sidqui visited Brazil during the WTM tourism fair, held in São Paulo in April, where he had the opportunity to promote the property.
Chefchaouen is Morocco’s famous Blue City, and beyond its medina painted almost entirely in shades of blue, it offers other attractions such as the hiking trails of Akchour. In this region, Dar Ba Sidi & Spa provides a lodging option for travelers seeking peace and quiet, as it is located outside the urban area while still offering easy access to nearby attractions.
By car, the hotel is about 15 minutes from the medina of Chefchaouen and roughly 40 minutes from Akchour.
As he walks visitors through the property’s stone pathways, Sidqui explains that there was nothing on the site before. “I built the property,” he says.
The entrepreneur wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere and named it “Grandfather’s House,” the meaning of Dar Ba Sidi in Moroccan Arabic. “Where do you eat well? At your grandparents’ house. Where do you feel good? At your grandparents’ house,” he says.
He also named other parts of the hotel after family members, including his grandmother and his children.
Sidqui also wanted the hotel to be a place of relaxation.
“I wanted to get away from the city because most people who live in large urban centers, in major metropolises like São Paulo, Casablanca, and others, are looking for tranquility. Here, it’s total tranquility—a complete change of scenery,” he says.
Dar Ba Sidi & Spa is nestled among the Rif Mountains, which can be seen from the hotel grounds.
Indeed, one of the hotel’s greatest attractions is the sense of peace and immersion in nature it provides. The Dar Ba Sidi & Spa complex can be described as a vast green garden dotted with charming buildings, including a restaurant, event and meeting spaces, tents, guest accommodations, bungalows, and the reception area.
A swimming pool, designed to echo the architecture of the surrounding structures, stands out as a central feature of the property.
Accommodation is available in rooms and suites of varying categories—including Superior Rooms, Junior Suites, and Luxury Suites—as well as in bungalows spread throughout the property.
The bungalows feature spacious bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas, along with a veranda shaded by a parasol. They face the hotel’s landscaped gardens while backing onto the surrounding natural greenery. From the rooms and bungalows, guests can hear roosters crowing, birds singing, and even the occasional sheep—a welcome break for those accustomed to a busy urban lifestyle.
The Dar Ba Sidi & Spa restaurant serves traditional Moroccan, Mediterranean, and international cuisine. The hotel also occasionally offers classes in traditional cooking. There is also a dedicated prayer space on the property.
The spa facilities are currently under construction. Beyond the hotel’s main grounds, the property includes farm animals and a vegetable garden, as well as access to a small stream. Guests may arrange a visit with the owner and even practice yoga by the water.
Chefchaouen is about 340 kilometers from Casablanca, which is served by Royal Air Maroc’s direct flights from São Paulo and will also receive direct service from Rio de Janeiro starting in 2027.
To reach Chefchaouen from Casablanca, travelers can take a high-speed train to Tangier, another popular tourist destination, and then continue by car or taxi to the Blue City.
Learn more about Dar Ba Sidi & Spa.
Read the other articles in the series on tourism in Morocco below:
The journalist traveled at the invitation of Royal Air Maroc, Dar Ba Sidi & Spa, and Alizés agency
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
