The Author Wants You to Know...

Name: Nads

Western Astrology: Cancer Sun, Virgo Rising, Pisces Moon

Human Design: Projector

Instagram: @manirapalm.marrakech @manirapalm.nads

An earthling embarking on a tropical adventure from the inside out. Living amongst the land has taught her the importance of sustainability for the soil BUT in preserving life on earth it got her thinking about how to preserve life within ourselves.

"Manira Palm was birthed as a hub for healing - creating sustainability for soil and soul. "

Introducing Manira Palm - A Luxury Eco Villa in Marrakech, Morocco

Marina Palm would not be here if there wasn’t a foundational level of trust in self and in the above vision. With no prior experience managing a hotel, or anyone for that matter, and with no prior knowledge in permaculture, the foundations of this adventure required a deep inner knowing that this was part of my path.

I used to affirm, "If you believe, you can achieve", and honestly that mantra was the basis of this project.

The inspiration behind Manira Palm came from the interactions and observations I had during my travels. I set out to immerse myself with local people around the globe and it was in this I realised, people held similar values across a variety of countries & cultures that in essence created a simple and happy life. Life is not without its challenges and there is hardship for families that manage with low income - but I witnessed pure hearts, sheer kindness and a sense of gratitude for the community, connection and culture they were part of. So, I guess it was this education, that I was privileged to experience, that inspired the core foundation of Manira Palm.

Tourism and Local Communities

Manira Palm is on a mission to protect the planet and the people we share it with, and we believe that tourism creates an opportunity to do just that.

Our values are grounded in community, culture, connection and conscious travel.

Whether you are taking an extended break for yourself amidst nature, or are having a short cultural immersion in Moroccan life, the foundations of Manira Palm provide tourists with the opportunity to travel in a new, sustainable way. One where they really get to experience the true essence of Moroccan culture, along with all its quirks and beauty. We feel this benefits the people who visit us in Morocco, and in exchange, these visits also protect the very people who make this place magic: The locals themselves.

All of our tours & excursions support local people and/or local charities, as we only collaborate with Moroccan-owned companies and local guides. We also provide work opportunities for local people. In Morocco, some jobs, like in most places, come with a certain “education requirement”. At Manira Palm, this is not of importance to us - we value the people who are willing, which is why we have a full team all from the local village. When they join Manira Palm, they are not just an employee, they become part of the family.

I would like to make a special mention to Mohammed: He has been with us now for over 2 years and Manira Palm would not be the same without him. Every year a percentage of our profit is donated to a local charity that aligns with one of the 17 global sustainable development goals. In our first two years, our contributions have gone to charities dedicated to Zero Hunger & No Poverty. Also, when we put on our community events, we offer a sliding scale & pay it forward scheme to ensure our space is accessible for all.

Nads’ Personal Routines & Practices

Honestly, I can’t start my morning without a proper cuppa. It’s this 20 minutes of solitude that really allows me to ground into my day. Over the last few years I have been practising menstrual cycle awareness which really helps me create stronger boundaries in how I show up day to day. Learning the language of my body and natural cyclical ways of being has created space for me to live and work with integrity and truth.

The Foundations of our Future

As an eco villa, Manira Palm lessens its impact on the environment as we use solar energy - a renewable energy source. Solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production, and in a country where water is particularly precious, this is a really valuable foundation for the future of Morocco.

We keep all our veggies organic - no chemicals or yucky stuff are used to grow our food or keep the bugs at bay. All our soap and shampoo products are also natural. This not only keeps the water clean that goes back to the land, but it also keeps our guests free from toxins. Where we can, we also use natural cleaning products: Honestly, bicarbonate soda & vinegar are the best things for pretty much anything! Creating a toxic free environment is also an important foundation for human health. Pesticides have such strong links to cancer and with the rates of severe illness like this on the rise, organic and soil approved produce is really a staple foundation to improve those figures.

Being an eco villa, we are also able to share small mindful practices with our guests that are simply food for thought for when they begin to integrate back home.

Everything here is "inshallah" meaning "in divine time", and it is these nuggets of gold that can be introduced to our guests.

Sometimes the knowledge of these small subtleties that are so alive in a different culture could be the very thing that can enhance sustainability for the soul, especially in the lives of those who experience high pressure from living in the western world.

Closing Thoughts from Nads

Sustainability doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow process and Manira Palm still has a long way to go to be fully self-sustained and toxic-free, but the foundations are in place. This is all anything in life needs, whether it’s in personal development, a new hobby, a career, or relationship - for anything that you wish to sustain - all it takes is that foundational first step. Sustainability for the soul comes when you allow yourself that space to explore with curiosity, you allow your own inner rhythms to guide you in spurts of motivation and times of rest. Sustainability is rooted in trust, in the service of yourself and in the service of others. Us humans are not separate from nature, we are part of it, and nature itself is the most sustained thing on earth.

In the famous words of Lao Tzu, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

Immerse yourself in Moroccan culture, support sustainable tourism and experience the magic of Manira Palm’s luxury eco villa for yourself!

Find out more about long term rentals, short term B&B stays and ways to attend or host a retreat by visiting their website and quoting Celebration of Self on booking, to enjoy a welcome treat when you arrive!

Visit the Manira Palm Website

A Note from the Editors...

Thankfully Manira Palm has not been directly impacted by the recent earthquake in Morocco. However, local communities and nearby areas have been. In light of this, Nads has shared a great non-profit organisation that is already offering support and relief to families affected - Chefs and dedicated volunteers have been working tirelessly at Amal Non Profit to make thousands of sandwiches, which are being delivered to remote and inaccessible villages by helicopter, thanks to the help of World Central Kitchen. If you would like to directly support local communities that have been affected, donations can be made here:

Earthquake Relief Donations