Hotel Manager Interview Series
The Atlas Mountains, the Agafay Desert and a quieter side of Marrakech.
Photograph: The Capaldi Hotel / official website.
The conversation
At The Capaldi Hotel near Lalla Takerkoust, Morocco, the landscape moves from the Agafay Desert towards the Atlas Mountains. Manager Edward Lyle shares his favourite room for a winter sunrise, a walking escape behind Amizmiz, his approach to leading a local team, and how the hotel pulled together following the September 2023 earthquake.
“Never lose your cool and respect everyone.”
Edward Lyle, Manager
Between mountains and desert
What makes this hotel—and its surrounding destination—different from anywhere else in Africa?
Edward Lyle
The position. Looking directly at the Atlas Mountains while backing on to Agafay Desert!
Coming together after the earthquake
Can you share a memorable story about a guest, employee, or community member that captures the spirit of this hotel?
Edward Lyle
I think the coming together of the whole hotel after the big earthquake 30 km from the hotel on 8 September 2023.
Sunrise from the Atlas Room
Which is your favorite room in the hotel, and what makes it special to you?
Edward Lyle
Atlas Room. You can lie in bed and look directly onto the Atlas Mountains, which are even more special in winter with the snow and sunrise.
Hospitality rooted in the local team
How do you balance international hospitality standards with an experience that feels genuinely local?
Edward Lyle
Easy. Train your staff well and take everyone from the local area.
Respect and calm leadership
What do you do to help employees grow into future leaders?
Edward Lyle
Work with them and treat them as equals.
What is the most important leadership lesson that working in hospitality has taught you?
Edward Lyle
Never lose your cool and respect everyone.
The interviewee
Meet Edward Lyle
Edward Lyle is the manager of The Capaldi Hotel, Restaurant & Spa near Lalla Takerkoust. He shares his personal perspective on the area’s mountain views, local walking routes and a simple, respectful approach to working with colleagues.
Interview answers supplied by The Capaldi Hotel team.
The property
The Capaldi Hotel
Located along the Route d’Amizmiz near Lalla Takerkoust, The Capaldi Hotel offers a setting between the Atlas Mountains and the Agafay Desert, with gardens and pools in the foreground.
Part of the See.Africa Hotel Manager Interview Series. Answers have been lightly edited for spelling and readability; one question in the original questionnaire was left unanswered. No manager portrait was supplied.