Reviews
Here are some of the things that authors and clients have said about us – the highlights that are consistently reported are unusually high quality of food, experiences and staff, as well as the lovely homely atmosphere that they create and, since we opened the ecolodge in 2020, the unique and beautiful building, pool and gardens.
Trip Advisor Reviews
We have been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence or the Travellers’ Choice Award each year and ranked the best in town since we had gathered enough reviews to be properly ranked. See below for a selection of representative views.
About the New Ecolodge
“Just Wonderful”
“Ecologically, sustainably, sociably and culturally brilliant. The new accommodation is user friendly, comfortable, hygienic, easily accessible by foot into town centre, and characterful. Moroccan and authentic, the staff are hard-working and go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy. Food is fresh, mainly vegetarian and delicious. Swimming pool adds the perfect touch with cranes and storks flying over and Taroudant’s mud town walls close by. Perfect for our circle dancing group.” Jenny E
“Exquisite ethically created guest house”
“I came on a week’s yoga retreat here. Having visited the previous guest house, I was blown away by this new eco build. It was more beautiful than I could imagine. The earthen walls warmed through the day and kept me warm in the cooler nights. The staff are all gems and extremely helpful. Great trips out offered to some of the local charities, markets, atlas mountains and museums. Beautiful locally sourced meals. I had a very nourishing, happy and peaceful time” Rachel S
“2 minutes alone in my room and I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of it I burst into tears and had to go and find the others for hugs – which happily were available in abundance” Kate D
“Very Special Place”
It’s like going home the staff are so kind and nothing is too much trouble! The new house is tastefully decorated. A credit to Jane whose vision has led to it being built on sound ecological principles. The cultural tours are an amazing an humbling insight into the lives of the people of the area. Well run and sensitive to the locals who welcome you with open arms & big smiles” Jane D
“Same wonderful staff in new venue”
“I have been bringing groups to La Maison Anglaise in Taroudant for the last 6 years and it is always a wonderful experience for everyone. Now they have moved to an authentic new ecolodge in grounds by the side of the walls. Amazingly beautiful rooms and garden with swimming pool. Great thought has gone into the construction. Beautiful room for our dancing on a sprung floor and a private sun terrace and most importantly – the same wonderful staff and food. Highly recommended.” Barbara D
About Holidays with Heart
“Week-long hug”
“My week here was a wonderful experience. I was part of a circle dance group and we were all looked after so well. Highlights were the Feast of the Senses, walking in the High Atlas Mountains, visiting the Berber villages and the Berber women’s band. I am still there in spirit and intend to return. All the staff were so kind, the food was fantastic and I even managed to learn a few words of Arabic.”
“An amazingly memorable week, heaving in beautiful memories!”
“What a wonderful place to experience a real touch of Moroccan life – we quickly were introduced into the culture where we met the people in the local villages, saw how they were supported in their work, experienced their fun and humour. The trips out were brilliantly insightful and very well led by our guides. Food was scrummy and healthy, accommodation very comfortable too.”
“Unforgettable and unique holiday experience”
“It was one of the best holidays of my life…can’t say much more than that!
The staff were all lovely, helpful, thoughtful and kind. The food was delicious and varied.
the day trips were very interesting and provided an opportunity to meet Berber people in small villages and support various sustainable projects linked with the guesthouse.
The guesthouse is a fine example of how Eco tourism can work, but even more than that … the staff create an atmosphere which is so welcoming and restful that along with the singing…it was perfect as a warm and sunny break to nourish the soul!”
“Wonderful beyond words”
“La Maison Anglaise has many effusive reviews and it does not fail to live up to them. Our week there was truly wonderful beyond words. The house is very comfortable and clean, the food is incredible – some of the best vegetarian food I have ever eaten; the staff are really lovely – friendly and helpful and there is great attention to detail. The excursions are not to be missed and provided an authentic Moroccan experience. I can’t recommend it too highly!”
Guidebook Reviews
“If only there were more places like this, a medina house run by locals offering a rare glimpse into Moroccan life. They offer skilled guides, exciting cultural experiences and delicious Moroccan meals.” Anthony Sattin Lonely Planet
“This excellent guest house is a genuinely inviting place to stay. Rooms are clean, bright and homely, and the communal dining room (where first-rate meals are served) has dozens of maps of the area (into which a number of excursions, treks and wildlife-themed forays are offered by the staff here). Hassle free, clued up and committed to sustainable tourism, these guys know what they are doing and do it well.” Sam Le Quesne Time Out: Perfect Places to Stay, Eat and Explore
Suited to Single Travellers
“I had a fantastic holiday and have been singing the praises to one and all. It is the perfect holiday for a person who is travelling alone. The staff were nurturing, the group interesting and inclusive. I loved not being in a touristy area. The food was excellent and Louise a lovely and gentle leader.” S Salts
Guest Reviews by Email
“…an amazing week at La Maison Anglaise; what a fabulous set-up you have there! I want to congratulate you on the guest house and your organisation; everything was very well done and the staff both efficient and welcoming. I particularly loved seeing ‘real’ Morocco and felt privileged to visit local people’s homes and businesses. You are doing such good work there with your projects – very inspiring” S Rose
“The whole holiday was just great. The accommodation was excellent. The meals I will never forget -the best ever. The staff and guides all such a happy bunch. It all sounds too perfect, but it is true. Many thanks.” Ivor Thomas
“We had a fantastic trip and many many thanks for all the toing and froing of emails that went on beforehand to ensure that it all worked out on the day!! Everything went amazingly well, everyone again loved the house in Taroudant and the staff were so helpful and won many friends with their cheerful smiles, ability to respond to any request, their ability to cook such amazing food for a whole week — not a single complaint from a party of Brits is quite something.” D Patterson group organiser
“We loved Taroudant and enjoyed wandering around soaking up the atmosphere. The programme all worked extremely well and we enjoyed both the bee related experiences and the general cultural ones. It was such a privilege to visit the Berber villages and to be invited to eat in people’s homes. We also appreciated learning about some of the projects you support.” Janet Clements
“We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in Taroudant – it was one of the best holidays I’ve ever experienced and a wonderful introduction to Moroccan culture.” Dot Bell
“The staff treated us like family, and the two days out we had with guides was great fun. We asked for a change in the first day’s hike, and Said was completely open to the idea. The second day’s visit to the Berber villages was an inspiration. How gratifying it was to see that some of the costs of our trip were being used to fund several community projects. I was very impressed.” Ed Burke
“The people you have over there, without exception, are very special and lovely people. I had the feeling at times that I was not in simply a guesthouse, rather a spiritual community; such was the gentleness, willingness and friendliness of all of them. Warmly informal and very effective. and such a great sense of humour! The food was gorgeous. Dounia’s trip to the villages was both moving and inspiring – as is Dounia herself.” Andrew Mullis
“I’m still feeling “homesick” for La Maison Anglaise, all the lovely staff and the wonderful experiences I had. I had never been out of Europe before and this was a great way to be introduced to Moroccan culture – I always felt there were people around who could give me helpful and accurate information if I needed it, whether yourself or one of the staff, who were all so friendly and patient” Val Hall
“I wanted to thank you once again for the wonderful week. I found it a real privilege to be in Morocco with such a dedicated team who care for the country and people so deeply. If only the whole world could operate like that!” V Austin
“We have really felt the warmth of the people here in Morocco and your helping hands along the way have really helped smooth our journey and has been the icing on the cake.” Jo Robins
“I cannot praise the staff highly enough for their care and attention, the superb food, the beautiful roof terrace, the rooms all so lovingly furnished and your organisation of the most wonderful trips on offer. We all came to love the staff and to see the staff dancing to the Berber music was a joy. For a group holiday it was excellent, the house became like a real home and we all felt we had had a Moroccan experience which was so much better than staying in a hotel with other tourists.” L Waugh
“Thank you from Vicki and myself for the most wonderful holiday and for your hard work in making it so. I do so hope there is an opporunity to repeat the Moroccan experience. Put my name down immediately. Many, many thanks again.” M Ashworth
Educational Visits
“The students were thrilled with their experience and left Morocco with a sense of awe and amazement. The guest house was fabulous! The staff could not do enough for us – ever so accommodating – even to a bunch of loud teenagers. The students said it was the best food they had ever tasted and loved the cookery lesson too. The day trips out were brilliant – we felt like we had a real adventure, and the knowledge of the guides was excellent – the students really felt like they were experiencing the true nature of the people and their culture. All of the trips fitted in very nicely with our curriculum studies and the superb knowledge of the guides really enhanced it. We have some fantastic memories of an incredible trip. I really can’t tell you how thrilled we were with everything.” S Chadwick
“The guys loved learning how to make bread, going to the local market to purchase supplies, drinking mint tea and special Moroccan cookies, getting henna tattoos and our horse drawn carriage ride. The best part was seeing that all of the staff truly love what they do and wanted to share what they love about Moroccan with us. That energy easily spread to my entire group of 11 travellers and 4 staff members- created a wonderful atmosphere and left us leaving Taroudant smiling. On reflection of our 9-day cruise – Taroudant. and our day’s experience at the guest house is without a doubt the highlight.” S Bauer , the leader of a group of autistic children who spent the day with us.
Charitable Work
“I was hugely impressed to find out about your inspired projects & am full of admiration for the vision & energy with which you have brought them into being. It was a holiday like no other & has provided so much to think about”.
“You have done and are doing such wonderful things for both people and animals in Taroudant. I knew from my time with you that you were very committed to what you had started and that your dream would come true thanks to your determination and also your love for the country and its people”