Showing posts with label Riad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Riad. Show all posts

Thursday, 18 December 2008

The process of buying a villa

Initially we were going to Marrakech to open and run our own hotel.  Having successfully done that in the UK we had great aspirations for doing something fantastical in Marrakech. However with the current credit crisis and the huge number of riads that have already opened in Marrakech over the last couple of years we have decided to just get out there and then decide what to do.  With the current climate there is absolutely no point in our rushing into anything. However we do need somewhere to live.  

We have looked at so much property.  Everything from riads in the Medina to derelict farmhouses in the foothills of the Atlas.


above pictures show a similar villa to one we have bought

The funny thing was that each property we visited we loved.  There is very little to dislike. Everything seems to ooze potential.  It was always things like access, distance to school, noise and so on that made places a no no.  In the end we opted for a new villa designed by architect Charles Boccara.  It is not like us at all to go for something new.  Normally we would much prefer to buy something a little run down and do it up.  With a new born baby though a new place is so much easier.  We have therefore bought a villa on Domaine de L'Akhdar on the Route de Ouarzazate which is very near the school that our daughter will go to.  


Monday, 15 December 2008

First Visit to Morocco


The Atlas in the distance from Marrakech

Jemma El Fna (the largest sq in Africa)

In the foothills of the Atlas

The entrance to Riad El Fenn

We first visited Marrakech in November 07.  By this time low cost airlines were already in full swing, the riad business was booming and we were really a little bit too late from the point of view of going and making a killing investment wise.  However we immediately fell in love with it.  

The humdrum of traffic and noise, pedestrians, dogs, scooters, police, vagabonds, taxis - it all made for such an amazing, buzzy atmosphere. It was intoxicating and we were drawn in.  We couldn't get enough of it.

We arrived at night on this first visit and were hit by warm air and a clear, starry night as we got off the plane.  It felt magical.  Customs is a bore and took for ever but it gave us time to soak it all up.  We were eager to get to our riad and get out exploring but there was no rushing them.  

We were staying at Riad El Fenn owned by Vanessa Branson.  As you can imagine like all celebrity run or endorsed hotels it was chic and cool.  Perfect location just inside Bab El Ksour (Bab means gate) one of the closest gates to the infamous Place Jemma El Fna.  It was perfect and started to ferment the notion of coming to live in Marrakech as more than just a notion.