Welcome

As visitors enter the house from the street, they find themselves in a traditional open courtyard, drenched in sunlight, with an elegant fountain at it s heart. The eye rises across the first floor with its
colonnaded walkways, edged by grilles worked in graceful arabesques. The covered walkways provide shade, keeping the dining room and the bedrooms, cool and welcoming during the heat of the day.

The ground floor courtyard leads into a long elegant salon, ideal for relaxing and for escaping the heat of the day. At one side of the courtyard there is an open dining area — cozy in winter and cool in summer — which is furnished with a round mosaic table and chairs. The kitchen lies beyond this. Elaine's studio is on the opposite side of the courtyard, next to a bathroom with a large bath.

The upper level is resplendent with Islamic arabesque ironwork through which the sunlight throws intricate lace-like shadows on the tiled floor. The mensah , an open covered sitting area which catches the morning sun, has a large sofa and comfortable chairs and rug. This is an ideal spot throughout the year for unhurried breakfasts, reading and relaxation. The three bedrooms are all situated on the first floor, behind the covered colonnaded walkway. They all have bathrooms en suite . The hot water system is very efficient and ensures that hot water is available at all times, throughout the house. [back to top]

The picture above shows the large but romantic master bedroom, with turquoise-coloured tadelakht walls. Thdelakht is a traditional Moroccan wall treatment , used throughout the house, in which plaster is covered with a coloured wash which is polished to the smoothness of silk, and then waxed to develop a rich patina and veining, reminiscent of marble. This room also has a comfortable sofa (can be used as an extra bed), a large cedar-wood wardrobe and chest.

The en-suite turquoise bathroom has a small cupola which lets in the light and heightens the rich colour. The saffron bedroom is furnished with twin beds, a cedar-wood hand-painted wardrobe and a large chest. It has an attractive wooden beam ceiling and the adjacent bathroom is also saffron coloured. The third bedroom has soft pink tad'lnkht walls. It is furnished with a double bed, a wardrobe and chest and also has a very pretty bathroom. [back to top]

The elegant salon, situated off the courtyard, is the' perfect retreat for reading and relaxing over a drink. It is equipped with a tape/CD player, satellite TV and a DVD player.

Stairs from the first floor mensah lead up to a large roof terrace with wonderful dining and sitting areas. The terrace is sun-drenched but also offers shady corners planted with exotic flowers and potted palms. This is the perfect spot to develop a suntan, read and relax and, like the rest of the house, it is totally private and not overlooked. From up here, the noises of the city fade to a distant murmur. As the afternoon draws to a close, it is wonderful to listen to the muezzins calling the faithful to prayer from the myriad of mosques dotted around the old city. At sunset the skies fill with circling swifts, storks and many other birds.

Daily living at Dar Aicha revolves around its open courtyard and the house is filled with a strong sense of intimacy and warmth. Samir, the young man who runs the house, is highly competent and helpful. He will collect you from the airport — around 15 minutes away by taxi — and serve at table (he will pay for the taxi, but you will need to reimburse him). He speaks fluent French and good English and will pass on your requests to Madame Zahra, the cook. While you may wish to visit some of the fine restaurants of Marrakech, do not miss eating at the house. Madame Zahra's cooking has become one of the highlights of their stay for many of our clients. She uses the freshest ingredients and prepares genuine Moroccan home cooking — a treat not to be missed! Let Samir know the day before if you want breakfast and on the day itself if you want lunch and/or dinner. The cost is modest for superb quality food. Madame Zahra will also take care of your personal laundry. On request and at a very reasonable cost, Samir will also organise excursions for you.

If you wish to go swimming in Marrakech, there are several hotels within minutes of the house with swimming pools open to non-residents. Similarly, short-term memberships of golf clubs can be obtained. Samir has the details of many other year-round activities such as horse riding, trips to the desert and dunes, hiking into the Atlas mountains etc. [back to top]

The large terrace has been made into a series of open ‘rooms'. This elegant sitting area is the perfect spot from which to watch the birds at twilight and enjoy a nightcap under the stars. Another corner has a covered area, perfect for afternoon tea, while a whole side of tile terrace is furnished with loungers and comfy chairs
for sunbathing. [back to top]

go to [return to homepage] [photo gallery] [rates/contact]

 

Links:

 

Morocco.com

Lonely Planet

Atlas Blue

Easy Jet

Ryan Air

Elaine M Goodwin

 

 

About the Property

The house is a traditional Dar, built around an open courtyard, with an upper level and an attractive roof terrace garden. It is surrounded on all sides by bustling life and vibrant colour, yet once inside the front door, you will find yourselves in a haven of tranquility, evoking a time of gracious and relaxed living.

The house is available for rent, by the week or for longer periods.

The cook/ Housekeeper, Madame Zahra, makes meals into a gastronomic experience.
The house manager, Samir, can organise excursions (into the desert, to the Atlas mountains, to the Atlantic coast, etc) as well as organising all the local facilities (guided tours, mopeds/cars, sports, etc) He speaks good French and English and is very sympathetic and helpful.

The house has 3 spacious en-suite double bedrooms and all comforts. You can come as a couple (no surcharge) or bring friends to make up a party.

About Marrakech

Marrakech has been described as a pleasure city and a marketplace. It is a city of immense charm and beauty, with ancient pink reddish walls that glow in the evening light The narrow streets of the old city — the Medina where Dar Aicha is situated — are full of colour and the bustle of daily life. The High Atlas Mountains form a backdrop to the city and are snow-clad most of the year.

The famous Djemaa al Fna square at the heart of the medina is a great open space filled with acrobats, snake charmers, musicians and fortune tellers. From the square, the labyrinth of souks can be explored for wonderful handicrafts: ceramics, leather goods, textiles, jewellery, perfumes, spices and charms and for tantalising glimpses of a traditional way of life.
Places to be visited in Marrakech include some fine museums, the delightful Majorelle gardens, palaces, the Medersa Ben Youssef and the Saadian tombs.
The interior of mosques is barred to non-Muslims in Morocco , but visitors can walk round the beautiful minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque which is the main landmark of Marrakech. This graceful monument is the precursor of the Giralda which was the minaret of the mosque in Seville .

It is easy and cheap to get around Marrakech. Most places in the medina are within walking distance, including cafés, the post office, banks and bureaux de change. For a modest sum you can catch a petit taxi to the modem quartier of Gueliz, where chic shops, hotels, restaurants and the tourist office are to be found in or around the Avenue Mohammed V. The city is very safe and relaxed in atmosphere.

The origins of the modem city of Marrakech date from around 1070 when Youssef ben Tachfine, a general belonging to one of the two great Berber dynasties, the Almoravids, set up a garrison town. Following the conquest of Spain in 1090 and the foundation of the Almoravid Empire, Marrakech developed into a great capital city during the first half of the 12th century.
It retained this position, even after the conquest of the Almoravids by the Almohad dynasty in 1147, and the overthrow of the Almohads by the Merenids in 1269. Following a period of decline, when Morocco was ruled from Fes , the fortunes of Marrakech were revived by the Saadian dynasty.

From 1554 to 1668 the city was the golden capital of the Saadians, its prosperity based on a flourishing trade in sugar, saltpetre, cotton and silk, and on its position as the transit point for the slave, gold and ivory trades from sub-Saharan Africa . However, the civil wars of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries brought about a steady decline to Marrakech.
In 1912 Marrakech was occupied by the French who eventually established a Protectorate in their part of Morocco and built the new town of Gueliz to the west of the old city of Marrakech .
They constructed roads, railways, schools, irrigation works and hospitals. In 1956 Morocco achieved its independence and Marrakech is now the most important administrative and industrial centre in the south of Morocco and a major tourist destination.

Since 1999 the young King, Mohammed VI, has introduced a new climate of modernity and social progress. The special character of the city of Marrakech and its uniqueness as an architectural and cultural example were given full recognition when the city was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Its rich cultural life, drawn from its long history and its Berber and Islamic traditions, continues to inspire and delight visitors from all over the world.

Climate
Any month is a good time to visit Marrakech. The climate is generally dry, warm and pleasant with seasonal variations. The following are average day temperatures. The nights tend to be cool, especially in winter when light woollens will be required.

Jan Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec
19° 26° 33° 38° 28° 16°
66F 79F 91F 101F 82F 61F