Marrakech may not be Morocco's largest city, nor is it the country's capital, but it offersa great mixture of traditional and modern life and exudes a strong feeling of Africa, unlike the larger cities of the North.
Being an important centre of trade with a population of about 500,000, this is where traders and merchants from the whole region, the Sahara and the Grand Atlas Mountains, come together. Not many oriental cities can compete with Marrakech and its fantastic colours and fragrances, palaces, mosques and souqs transport you right back to the Middle Ages. These attractions, along with the mountains, coastline and desert which the country boasts, make it a tourist's dream. Aware of all these assets, the government is making huge efforts to strengthen tourism which is one of the country's fastest growing sectors and a very important economic factor.
These efforts are made visible by several projects in the hotel and leisure industry being developed by such emblematic brands such as Mandarin Oriental, W Hotels, Rocco Forte, Jumeirah Dubai and the Four Seasons. The latter has embarked on a hotel and residential development called the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort Marrakech, situated amid the labyrinth of souks and minarets around the Menara Gardens at the heart of the city with splendid views of the Atlas Mountains.
Spread out on a plot of over 15 hectares, the project consists of the Four Seasons hotel with 140 guest rooms - each with its own furnished outdoor terrace - and of 20 two- and three-bedroom riads (townhouses) as well as 20 detached three- and four-bedroom villas. These luxury properties are being built around the hotel whose services and amenities can also be enjoyed by residents and their guests. The private residences come with a swimming pool, carport or garage and courtyard water features.
The residences (riads and villas) are freehold and come with a warranty of ten years and a deficiencies warranty of one year. The two- and three-bedroom riads make references to classic Moroccan townhouses with the living space arranged around a central courtyard. The generous floorplans comprise a living room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room and cloakroom. All the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms, and their own terrace area.
The three- and four-bedroom villas are also designed in a Moroccan style, but with a more contemporary feel. Every villa has its own private swimming pool and island seating. The villas' beautifully landscaped private gardens include a number of secluded seating areas and attractive water features. They consist of a living room with an extra high ceiling, dining room, large kitchen/breakfast room, media room, study, utility room and maid's accommodation. All the bedrooms have large en suite bathrooms, some with separate dressing rooms and terraces. The owners of the residences can sell their property at any time but EHC Maroc SA reserves the right to first refusal in the case of any resales. The owners can also either rent out their property upon their own initiative or participate in the Four Seasons rental programme which means that such a residence will be marketed by the hotel and let out to third party renters. Owners who participate in this programme will receive 60 per cent of the net rental proceeds. While in principle the residences come unfurnished, there will be a furniture package made available by the developer. For those participating in the rental programme, there will be a quality control on furniture and fittings to make sure they meet the Four Seasons Hotel standards.
The hotel is expected to start operating any time now, so why not try out this oasis of luxury and at the same time investigate what might become your next holiday residence?
