Turning off the tarmac road, bumping through crumbling pisé (mud-brick) walls dwarfed by towering palms, you begin to wonder how the journey will end; then you enter the sophisticated and peaceful world of the Azalai Desert Lodge. Rooms that mix traditional construction with art and artefacts themed around famous desert personalities (Lawrence of Arabia, Antoine du Saint-Exupéry) are spaced through a garden of olive trees, shading daybeds and hammocks. There’s a pool and sunbeds, and an elegant lounge to retire to. With no internet or phone connection there’s little chance of the modern world intruding into your escape here!