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The outside
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The courtyard
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Dar Rondé, is so named because it is the only rounded house in the medina. We bought the house in 2002 when it was just a ground floor with a couple of internal walls, 2 dark salons and a droopy pot plant in the courtyard. We were assured by our French architect extraordinaire, 72 year old Maria Pergay, constructer of many a palace in Saudi Arabia, that the damp, grey shell had vast but well hidden potential. “Just wait 6 months and this house will be un petit palais” she said. So we waited 6 months and another 6 months and one more 6 months and Dar Rondé took shape. A traditional Moroccan home is called either a riad, which means a house with a garden or a dar, a house with a lightwell. Due to both the heat and Moroccans love of privacy, most traditional homes function inside out, in other words, the windows are on the inside of the house with just blank brick walls on the outside. With Dar Rondé we went for a modern take on the riad by having small windows on the outside.
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The entertainment room
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The master bedroom
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Rental periods |
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| 1 January 2007 - 1 January 2008 |
£580 |
(2 people) |
| 1 January 2007 - 1 January 2008 |
£640 |
(3 people) |
| 1 January 2007 - 1 January 2008 |
£700 |
(4 people) |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds.
There is a 20% discount for bookings longer than 2 weeks.
Changeover day
No specific changeover day
| Accommodation |
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| Bedrooms: |
Bedroom 1 with double bed, walk-in dressing room, private stairs to sauna and en suite bathroom. Bedroom 2 with twin beds and en suite bathrooms. |
| Bathrooms: |
En suite bathroom to bedroom 1 has shower. Seperate WC.
En suite bathroom to bedroom 2 has shower. Seperate WC. |
| Kitchen: |
Cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer and kettle. |
| Living Rooms: |
TV with DVD and selection of 25 DVDs. |
| Other: |
2 terraces and 1 courtyard. |
Cleaning/towels/
linen/maid service: |
Linens changes once a week and towels change every 4 days. If you would like that more frequently please advise the house manageress. |
Notes on accommodation
Breakfast is fully included in the price. Other excellent meals can be made by Fatima, our chef, and are paid locally.
As it does get cold in the evenings there is an electric fire in each room which can be used as required. It is stone floors throughout and so might not be suitable for smaller children.
Outside
Top terrace with sun loungers, mid terrace with 'breakfast table' and 4 chairs, courtyard.
Coast/Beach
The beach is about 400 yards from the house.
Skiing
Skiing is available but is the other side of Marrakech about 3 hour's drive.
Travel
Essaouira Airport: 10 minutes drive.
Marrakech Airport: 150 minutes drive.
Agadir Airport: 150 minutes drive.
Further details
Chilly Nights:
No matter how lovely the weather during the day, evenings in Essaouira are chilly. You are advised to bring a jumper and some slippers (but leave the pipe at home). This is because the stone floors are cold on the feet especially when padding around at night or making an early morning cup of tea.
Dress Code:
While Essaouira is a highly cosmopolitan town, very used to visitors, it is still a mark of respect to dress in trousers or skirts, which extend beneath the knee and T-shirts as opposed to vest tops when walking around the town. The majority of Souiri women dress in the traditional jellaba – long gowns and headscarves. On the beach, it is perfectly acceptable to wear swimming costumes and bikinis.
Souiri People:
The local people are incredibly laid back, very used to foreigners and exceptional at deciphering very poor French. Do not be afraid of setting free your Gallic tongue. French is everyone’s second language so no one speaks it perfectly, but everyone is just delighted to communicate.
About the Medina:
The medina is a living, working town. It sleeps during siesta time and wakes in the evening for shopping, eating and general melée. Children will play football, racket ball, cards and generally run around on the street outside, often sitting on the doorstep of the house. They are friendly and generally obedient if you ask them to move and always gone by 10.30pm. If you do find them a nuisance at any time, however, please call Kamar who will ask them to shove off.
Being an old town with ageing infrastructure, the medina does have its fair share of problems. Leaky drains, broken streetlights, uneven streets. These will all be improved with time but bear with it nothing happens particularly fast in Morocco.
Places to Eat:
The eating scene in Essaouira has improved dramatically over the last couple of years.
Guest comments
'Starting off at Dar Ronde was the best thing we could have done. Everything, I mean every little detail was spectacularly wonderful! Milouda was a pleasure to be with and she made us very fat! Seriously, we have rented many houses in different countries and never had such a wonderful experience. The Dar Ronde book and map were invaluable. The house is beautiful and very comfortable. You've really thought of everything. I can't imagine any improvements!' Mary Lynn O'Neill.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Dar-Ronde. It's decorated so beautifully and very comfortable and it felt like home from home (although I wish my home was as lovely!). I loved looking at the town from the top roof terrace watching the sun go down and enjoying a drink in the warmth. We also spent a couple of relaxing evenings at home with a great supper cooked by Milouda - thank you! Ella Truscott.
For booking and further information
Abby Aron
Tel: (UK) + 44 (0)20 8977 1233
Fax: (UK) + 44 (0)20 8977 1233
Mobile: (UK) + 44 (0)7970 975055
Email: Click here
Owners Website: Click here
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If phoning from outside Europe or USA please consult your telephone directory
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in January 2007,
and has advertised this property with us since January 2007.
Property Ref MR5
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on
Owners Direct Website.
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