Villa Azhar, Prestigious Rental in Marrakech [MR003A]

Luxury Modern Villa close to Marrakech sleeping up to 12

The above prices are for 12 guests. For villa rental for up to 8-11 guests, please ask for details. This property may be rented from a Saturday or Sunday, depending on availability.

This fabulous luxury modern villa at the heart of the Palmeraie in Marrakech on the Domaine El Majal is probably one of the most prestigious holiday houses in Marrakech.

Set in 6000 m2 of private landscaped grounds, it is the very symbol of an idyllic oasis, providing luxury, peace and discretion and 24 hour security, with services of a daily maid as well as a cook. Other 'hotel' type services are also available including a full baby-sitting or child-minding service.

The villa built in a u-shape, like a traditional Riad, comprises 4 fully air-conditioned suites all with en suite bathrooms (bath and shower) in 450m2 of space. There is also a separate 'pavillion' with 2 additional bedrooms so in total 10 to 12 guests can be accommodated.

There are many splendid terraces, some of which have views stretching to the Atlas mountains, and from which you can watch stunning sunsets or in Marrakech, the breathtaking moon rises! The terraces are furnished with high quality tech or wicker furniture, so there are no end to possibilities for eating or having a drink outside.

A lovely inner courtyard with fountains adds to a sense of serenity. The garden has miles of well watered lawns and palm trees, which are a pleasant view to behold from the pool house, outside 'living room'. The pool can be heated (not in the winter) and there are lots of sun loungers all around the pool terrace.

All rooms are decorated to a high standard with traditionally crafted doors and other artisanal furniture and hangings.

Downstairs

The villa is built in a U-shape around a courtyard, on the model of a traditional Riad.

Off the pool terrace there is an independent and very large living room with good quality furniture, satellite TV, beautiful wall hangings and a fireplace. Next to it is a large open plan dining room.

To the left of the courtyard is the 1st double bedroom with a double bed (can be made into 2 singles) and en suite bathroom comprising a bath, and a walk in shower. Independent wc.

Continuing along the ground level courtyard there is the 2nd double bedroom with a double bed (can be made into 2 singles) with an en suite bathroom comprising a walk in shower, a bath, 2 washbasins, and a separate wc.

The 3rd double bedroom leads into the garden and has a four poster bed (double) with an en suite bathroom with a 2 washbasins, walk-in shower, a bath, a bidet and a wc. The bedroom also has an 'office corner' with a fax and a phone.

Off the main courtyard, stairs (21 steps) lead on to the gallery terrace and to the 4th double bedroom also with en suite bathroom comprising a walk-in shower, a bath and a wc.

Finally there is also a guest Pavillion with 2 additional double bedrooms with their own en suite bathrooms and TV's.

All bedrooms are air-conditioned.

Kitchen - The villa is not a self-catering property, the kitchen is for the onsite chef only, you can choose from an all-inclusive or half board option (no alcohol included).

The fully equipped kitchen can be used by the guests and there is a Nespresso machine.

Full air-conditioning throughout

Pool can be heated on demand for a supplementary fee (not in winter)

TV in each bedroom (French satellite)
Home Cinema
Radio CD DVD
Wi-Fi
I-phone dock

Garden furniture in pool house and on covered terraces
Sun loungers

Tennis courts on the Domaine

Car Parking

Massage (supplement)
Airport transfers possible (supplement)
Excursions possible (supplement)

Laundry services available on request (supplement)

Baby Sitter is available at an extra cost
Private chauffeur is possible at an extra cost

The villa is not a self-catering property, the kitchen is for the onsite chef only, you can choose from an all-inclusive or half board option (no alcohol included). Please contact us for details.

Please remember Morocco is predominately a French speaking country and take into account that local staff sometimes do not speak English. Often a guide book is handy to maximize your Moroccan experience.

The 15m x 5m pool is private with a large terrace, a pool house comprising a shower, a wc and a nice wicker furniture 'salon'. Miles of well tended and watered lawn, ideal for young children. Plenty of sun loungers by the pool terrace. The pool however is not fenced and does not have an alarm so it is essential to supervise the children. The pool can be heated on demand for a supplementary payment (not in winter).

There are many splendid terraces, with views stretching to the Atlas mountains - some stunning sunsets or in Marrakech, the breathtaking moon rises! The terraces are furnished with high quality teak or wicker furniture, so there are no end of possibilities for eating or having a drink outside.

A lovely inner courtyard with fountains and open waterways add to the serenity of the place. The garden has miles of well watered (flat!) lawns and palm trees.

There is also a fabulous roof terrace (23 steps leading up to it) with the view of the pool and the entrance with fountains, stretching to the Palmeraie and beyond.

There is a 24 hour security guard on the premises.
Tennis courts are available on the Domaine.

Possibility of hiring a 4x4 for trips out to the desert, the Atlas mountains and other excursions.

Main attractions

Appx 10 minutes' drive from 3 of Marrakech's golf courses:
Golf Amelkis, the Royal, and the Palmeraie Golf.

The Koutoubia mosque, a Marrakech landmark, surrounded by sunstruck rose gardens and distinguished by a 230-foot, pink sandstone tower.

The Place Jemaa el-Fna, the heart of the medina and the liveliest UNESCO World Heritage Site ever seen.

Incomparably seductive souks, Berber carpets, spices, silver, Berber jewellery. Ben Youssef Medersa, one of the Muslim world's great educational centres.

The recently restored, domed Qubba, a Medieval water station, and the Museum of Marrakech, which puts contemporary art in the frame of a late 19th century Moroccan palace.

South of the Place Jemaa el-Fna (only appx 15 minutes drive), there are palaces, gardens, and museums, such as Dar Si Said, dedicated to the arts and folk crafts of Morocco. On twisting alleyways nearby is Dar Tiskiwin, an elegant townhouse, open to the public as a museum and full of Moroccan and sub-Saharan wonders collected by Bert Flint, a Dutch expatriate.

The Place Jemaa el-Fna - Marrakech is always a little bit of everything: djellabas and babouches, bright colours, energy, heat. Once you've wandered around the stalls, gorged on all the mouthwatering food and watched everything on the square, it's time to retreat to one of the many cafes and watch the goings-on from a distance.

In terms of views, though not of food, the best are the rooftop cafes. From here you can see the entire square of Jemaa el Fna: the smoky and brightly lit food stalls are the centre, but circles of locals form all around the square watching storytellers and actors, and around the edges are the juice stalls selling fresh orange juice.

On the northern side are the souks - full of anything you could possibly want to buy, and lots of things you definitely don't! There are tourists aplenty in Jemaa el-Fna and it's tempting to dismiss it all as a commercial show, but the stories are all in Arabic and Berber and plenty of locals come here. The monkeys, snake charmers and fortune tellers seem purely for the benefit of tourists though and you might find one evening here is enough - although most visitors come back night after night.

WHERE TO EAT

Dar Moha, 81 Dar el Bacha, 38-64-00, set in a garden around a pool, and Dar Zellij, 1 Kaasour Sidi Ben Slimane, 38-26-27, in a fastidiously renovated 17th century mansion with carved cedar ceilings and hand-cut zellij tile, specialise in fine, traditional Moroccan fare. Multi-course dinners run €25-€30, and both restaurants have wine lists.

Casa Lalla, Rue Riad Zitoune Lakdime, 16 Derb Jamaa, 42-97-57, offers a set-price menu created by Michelin-starred British chef Richard Neat. There is one sitting at 8 p.m., and only 14 people are served each night, so the required reservations are hard to come by. The price per person is about €25, and diners may bring in their own wine.

Le Pavillon, 47 Derb Zaouia, 38-70-40, and Le Foundouk, 55 El Moukef Souk Hal Fassi Kat Bennahid, 37-81-90, serve French food and wine. Both are in the heart of the medina. Dinner about €25.

Bo-Zin, Route de l'Ourika, 38-80-12, is a 15-minute drive south of town, with a beautiful cactus garden for al fresco dining. The cuisine is chiefly Thai and there is a full bar. The price for a three-course dinner is €25-€35, not including drinks.

ACCESS

Marrakech International Airpot is Menara - approx 15 minutes from the centre of Marrakech.

Easyjet from Bristol, London Gatwick, London Stansted and Manchester.

For more information about Morocco please refer to www.visitmorocco.com

Bakers, grocers, super-markets, cafes, pharmacies, restaurants and all manner of shops and of course the famous "Souks" are all available in central Marrakech, approx 10 minutes drive from the property.