Very Spacious And Luxurious Private Riad With Plunge Pool In Marrakech Medina
Large Suites. Superb Views Over Local Gardens And Atlas Mountains. Short Walk To Djemaa El Fna
Sleeps max. 11 (3 bedrooms, 1 caidal tent)
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Situated in Quartier Riad Laarous, just ten minutes walk north of Djemaa el Fna, in the very heart of the ancient medina of Marrakech, Maison Africa is an original 18th century traditional Moroccan house. Available exclusively for private holiday rental this beautifully restored, luxurious and highly sought-after Marrakech home retains many original features and is tastefully furnished with rich local fabrics, hand-crafted rugs, pots, metalwork and hand-made furniture. Oozing with authenticity and atmosphere, the riad is a haven of peace and quiet for guests seeking a truly private retreat from the melee of bustling souks. Tastefully enhanced with several stylish features including a courtyard plunge pool for summer cooling and roaring log fires for winter warming, the riad has three luxurious en-suite bedrooms and a large salon/dining room. Ideal for 1, 2 or 3 couples, friends or family groups, the riad comfortably accommodates up to 11 guests.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 31 January 2012 - 31 December 2013 | £160 | 1 |
Notes on prices
Published prices are based on 1 to 6 guests and include a direct web booking discount. From 7 to 11 guests add £40 per night.
Private airport transfers available at £15 each way (1-4) or £30 (5-8 people). Tasty 3-course Moroccan dinners can be pre-booked or arranged locally.
Full range of day trips and activities can be pre-booked through our fully-bonded tour operating company - details provided on request.
Changeover day
Our standard weekly changeover day is Saturday but this is flexible and depends on other bookings.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | 3 large bedrooms with a/c, bathrooms, wi-fi and satellite TV: 'Imperial' suite with king-sized bed plus sofabed. 'Sahara' Suite with king-sized bed and corner fireplace. 'Atlas' Suite with 2 twin beds plus 'loft' with 2 twin beds. Plus a Caidal tent. |
| Bathrooms: | Arabesque-style double doors open into 3 spacious en-suite bathrooms. 1 bathroom with corner spa-bath; 1 with deep hand-built tadelakt-lined bath tub and twin brass basins; 1 with wide bath. Each marble-lined bathroom has a shower, wash basin and toilet. |
| Kitchen: | An arched double-door leads into a very well-equipped hand-made kitchen with Siera electric/gas cooker/hob, Bosch fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, juicer, microwave, toaster and kettle. |
| Utility Room: | Just off the courtyard under the stairs which lead up to the first floor there is a WC with washbasin. Under the stairs on the first floor is a laundry area with ironing board, iron and drying rack. |
| Living Rooms: | On the ground floor of Maison Africa is a large beamed salon/living/dining room with traditional salon seating, dining table and chairs, fireplace with large open grate for roaring winter log fires, a TV, DVD, PlayStation, iPod/CD stereo player. |
| Other: | The flower-filled roof terrace is a particular highlight with a large Berber tented room. The front door leads into a small entrance hall ideal for storing a pushchair/bike. There is also a small ornate fountain on the first floor. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Towels and bed linen are included and are changed mid-stay during weekly rentals. The house is cleaned on a daily basis, each morning, by our housekeeper, Zahira. Zahira also prepares breakfast each day. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer microwave dishwasher washing machine iron/ironing board satellite tv tv telephone internet access central heating air conditioning cot high chair barbecue private pool (for sole use of guests) |
| Suitability: | children welcome suitable for elderly pets accepted |
| Location Type: | downtown town |
Notes on accommodation
Maison Africa is a high quality heritage house ideally suited to discerning travellers looking for an authentic and private Moroccan hideaway. Although reflective of the past, we've ensured we haven't ignored the present - so the riad comes equipped with luxuries such as a laptop computer plus a mobile phone for local calls and satellite TV - all at no extra charge.
Perfect for couples, a small group of friends and ideal as a private villa for families, Maison Africa can be rented on an exclusive basis, hiring the entire property over your choice of duration. Our experienced house manager speaks fluent English and is available locally to provide information and assist with booking local activities.
We have a private Moroccan cook available to prepare tasty traditional 3-course evening meals in-house including tajines, couscous or mixed grills. A travel cot and high chair are available on request. Firewood is also included in the rental price during winter months.
Accessibility
Maison Africa does have a ground floor bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, with one shallow step to negotiate, and is suitable for someone with limited mobility, and perhaps a wheelchair user.
Outside
An Arabesque-style bab ed dar opens into Maison Africa’s courtyard from a well-lit medina street to reveal a zelliges tiled fountain and plunge pool, shadowed by an exotic Draa Valley palm tree and a twin-sided three-storey Marrakech abode adorned with numerous Moroccan arches and ornate iron railings. The courtyard is an ideal place for a typical Moroccan breakfast of freshly squeezed juice, coffee, omelette, pancake or croissant serenaded by morning birdsong.
The roof terrace is quite unique compared to many other riads in Marrakech due to its height. Standing up high, the views from the terrace of medieval minarets, High Atlas peaks and lofty date palms are unsurpassed. The terrace has a Berber tent providing shade during the day and an alternative place to sleep at night, a barbecue, a marble-topped corner bar area and sun-loungers. 2 zilleges-tiled dining tables and chairs will tempt you to evenings of candle-lit dinners under a star-filled African sky.
Coast/Beach
Morocco's Atlantic Coast is little more than a 2 1/2 hour drive away. Choose from the popular Portuguese-influenced town of Essaouira (180km), Safi (160km) or El Jadida (190km). There are a number of fine sandy beaches along the coast close to each of the main centres mentioned above.
Families may enjoy a visit to Oasiria, a waterpark on the edge of Marrakech with beach, pools, slides and fun for the kids.
Golf
Marrakech offers a choice of several excellent golf courses, located in and around the palmeries area of the city, within a 30 minute drive of Riad Africa.
Skiing
Skiing is possible in the Atlas Mountains in Oukaimeden between December and March.
Special interest holidays
As well as Maison Africa we also own a luxury hotel in Marrakech and a private tented camp in the Sahara Desert near Mhamid and can arrange superb value 2 or 3 night trips by 4x4 between Marrakech and the Sahara through our fully-bonded UK-based tour operator, Specialist Morocco. A wide range of other private and group tours are available through Specialist Morocco including Imperial City tours, twin centres - Marrakech, Fes, Atlas, Essaouira; family adventures, trekking and biking holidays. Contact us for further details. We also partner with a beautiful mountain lodge in the Atlas Mountains which makes a perfect twin-centre for guests staying in Riad Africa and is only a 1 hour transfer away. It is ideal for pure relaxation and unwind, gentle walks or longer day walks in the Atlas. The local Berber people are very friendly, colourful and hospitable, and the scenery is superb.
Travel
Airlines flying to Marrakech include BA, BMI, Easyjet, Ryanair, Thomsonfly and Royal Air Maroc. Book several months in advance for very cheap deals with low-cost carriers. Consider twinning Marrakech with the Sahara or Atlas Mountains. We also operate a stylish tented camp in the Sahara Desert. Contact us for details.
Distances
Riad Maison Africa is located in a quiet residential area, just 200 metres walk from Rue Riad Laarous. A short walk along Riad Laarous leads into the bustling covered souks of Marrakech, through which you can walk to the very heart of the Medina at Place Djemaa el Fna. Others attractions located close by the riad include the Palace/Museum of Dar El Bacha, the Mosque and Medersa of Ben Youssef, and the Museum of Marrakech.
Further details
Like Fes, Meknes and Rabat, Marrakech is one of Morocco's famous Imperial Cities. Renowned for its wonderful climate and for a setting as remarkable as it is varied, it is currently one of the world's top travel hotspots.
With palaces and palm groves, rose gardens, and a backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas mountains it is the capital of the Moroccan South, a cultural crossroads and keeper of tradition and folklore. The ancient pink-walled medina contains a wealth of rich architectural heritage, and the real highlight - Place Djemaa el Fna - is like no other square in the world!
Marrakech is a city for discerning travellers with a keen interest in culture and a couple of days is simply not enough to fully discover the wealth of attractions this city offers. The minaret of Koutoubia Mosque is the landmark and emblem of the city.
Other important quarters worth a visit within the old city ramparts include Kasbah and Mellah (the Jewish quarter), both in the south and close to the Royal Palaces (closed to visitors). The Saadien Tombs and Dar Si Said Museum are also of particular interest.
A number of day trips are possible from Marrakech for travellers just spending a few days in the city. Popular options include a day trip to Essaouira or a typical Berber village in the Atlas - Imlil is popular, as is the Ourika Valley.
Camel rides are an option, as is horse-riding, quad bike trips, bicycle hire, helicopter rides, or a scenic balloon flight. All activities and day trips can be pre-booked through our fully-bonded and licensed tour operating company.
Marrakech offers fresh organic produce and food shopping is a great way to experience daily local life. A choice of fine restaurants and cafés are never more than a few steps away.
Booking notes
If your booking is made more than 56 days (8 weeks) before your arrival date, a deposit of 50% of the property rental rate is payable to secure a booking. The balance is then due no later than 56 days (8 weeks) before your arrival date. Full payment is required if booking within 56 days of arrival date.
Guest comments
Maison Africa met more than our expectations – a peaceful oasis of calm, serenity and tranquillity to come back to from our exploration of the nearby Medina and losing ourselves to the intrigues of its Souk. We enjoyed the splendour of your Riad, the warm and attentive care & hospitality of your dedicated staff. Jeanine - Sep 10
Maison Africa was a real find for us! Thanks Nick. We had a fabulous time. Really loved the place. I have told so many people already. Robert - Feb 2009.
As a honeymoon spot maybe a 3 bedroom luxury riad is not the obvious choice, but we wanted space, privacy, service and luxury – and Maison Africa delivered it all. The local staff were friendly and unassuming, leaving us to really feel that we had the whole place to ourselves with support whenever we needed it. Carl and Kim Nolan - July 2008.
Owner profile
Nick Anstead, Katavi National Park, Tanzania
About the owner
I'm originally from North Yorkshire and have spent my life working in the travel and hospitality business - as a rental property owner, tour operator and as a tour guide. I've been lucky enough to travel all over the world but now split my time between Africa (Morocco, Tanzania and Zanzibar), the North Yorkshire Moors or my UK family home in Surrey. I set my standards high and always aim to deliver first-rate customer service, with prompt speed of reply, fair prices and a high quality product. As well as running Specialist Africa, a UK-based Tour Operator which specialises in Tanzania and Morocco, I also co-own Riad Africa - a boutique hotel in Marrakech, plus Maison Africa - a beautiful Marrakech rental property, and Sahara Safari Camp - a stylish desert eco-camp in the Moroccan Sahara.
Year purchased: 2002
Why the owner chose a home in this location
Only a 3 hour low-cost flight away, Marrakech is the closest exotic African city to the UK. It is also a very welcoming and friendly destination - convenient for easy access to the Atlas Mountains, Atlantic Coast and Sahara Desert. With almost year-round sunshine Marrakech has something to offer visitors at any time of year - hot summers, warm sunny winters.
After deciding Marrakech was the right place to buy a holiday home I spent several months scouring the Medina (a fascinating World Heritage Site) for the perfect location for Riad Maison Africa. In the end I chose a street next to the gardens of Sidi Bouamer in Quartier Riad Laarouss for its ease of parking, plentiful taxis and short walk to the souks, several excellent restaurants plus the medina's main square - Djemaa el Fna.
Unique benefits of the property
Riad Africa is primarily rented on an exclusive basis so you have the whole property to yourselves. It was also the first private rental holiday home to open in Marrakech medina specifically aimed at discerning families and private groups.
Whenever I stay in the riad I am always delighted to remind myself of the beauty of its Moroccan arches and our exotic courtyard palm tree, carved wood doors and serene lighting. Our bedroom suites and bathrooms are certainly bigger than those on offer in many other riads. The courtyard plunge pool is a real highlight. The rooftop terrace is unique as it is higher than our neighbours and benefits from glorious views in all directions. Last but not least, the service of our local staff is hard to beat – Zahira’s tasty dinners should not be missed!
For booking and further information
Property Ref MR32
Contact Name:
Nick Anstead
(UNITED KINGDOM) +44 02071932461
Owners Website: Click here
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Property Ref MR32
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