Real Life Stories Buying Case Study: Morocco

Date Published:

18/06/2008

Property 1: Teatime in the Pleasure Dome

This property is set in the La Palmeraie district on the outskirts of Marrakech in one of the city's most upmarket developments - Dar Lamia. Our guide, Celine Serna from agent South Invest, says 46 houses are being built at Dar Lamia. Prices range from €280,000 to €520,000
(£192,000-£356,365) for four-bedroom properties

The exterior walls here mirror the red walls of Marrakech but these properties are all about the interior design including galleries, a three-metre-wide corridor next to the pool, a lounge and even a little corner especially designed for siestas. Moroccan families tend to eat their dinner on small separate tables, which we use here to enjoy cups of refreshing mint tea.

Property 2: A Touch of French Class
Hidden in the labyrinth of narrow backstreets in the medina, this property gives us a taste of the old Morocco. A riad is a traditional property set around an interior courtyard. Many are now used as hotels and provide a peaceful interlude from the hustle and bustle of the streets. From outside, most look like an ordinary door in an alleyway, but when you step inside you enter an oasis of cool tranquillity. This one, 'Riad Anochka', was renovated two years ago and dates from the early 19th century. The decor has a French colonial feel and has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, so Ruth could use it as a small guesthouse. Our agent, Christine Hilton, tells us that the high tourist season is March to July, as August is too hot.

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