MO RO C C AN delight
Essaouira Resort Project
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C ON T ENT
introduction 4 location 6 site plan 8 hotel 10
pool bar and restaurant 12 house type 'A' 14 house type 'B' 16 on-site services 18 all about essaouira 20
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INT RO DU CTION
5 Here we present a proposal for a resort on the most beautiful parts of its Atlantic coast. Essaouira Resort located in Morocco, a favoured holiday destination.
The land is five kilometers north of Essaouira. The 3.5 acre site perched high over sandy dunes and surrounded by protected countryside.
The fully managed resort will comprise of five houses and twenty five contained suites, along with restaurant and pool area, tennis court and Hamam as well as reception and staff quarters.
The villas will be a mixture of two and three bedrooms with its own private terrace, kitchen, living areas, roof terraces and small swimming pools. All afford magnificent views of the coast. Essaouira is an ever-popular destination and there is a shortage of countryside rental villas with views of the ocean in the area.
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LO C AT ION
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GIBRALTAR
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
Casablanca
MOROCCO
Essaouira
Marrakesh
Agadir ALGERIA
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AE RI AL VIEW
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NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
Essaouira 177km
173km
Agadir
Marrakesh
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6 SITE PLAN 1 Hotel Club House | Restaurant | Pool 2 Twenty Five Hotel Suites 3 Kitchen Garden 4 Tennis Court 5 Three bedroom Houses 6 Two Bedroom Houses 7 Car Parking
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SITE 3
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H O T EL
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LEVEL 0 1
RESORT COMPLEX 1 Hotel Rooms 2 Spa | Hamam 3 Kitchen | Bar 4 Reception | Lobby 5 Restaurant 6 Pool 7 Staff Accommodation
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H O T EL
LEVEL 1
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PO OL Sheltered seating for socialising and casual dining
POOL BAR AND RESTAURANT
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SUNSET OVER THE INFINITY POOL
IN FI NI TY
ON-SITE SERVICES 19 The services we will provide are listed below. Our aim is to offer the beautiful rustic charm that Morocco has to offer along with all the comforts that one would expect at this level.
ON THE SITE 1. Restaurant 2. Bar 3. Communal pool area 4. Hammam 5. Tennis 6. Beach 7. Concierge services 8. Parking. 9. Library 10. Cinema 11. Games room 12. Child facilities. 13. Classes. Cooking/ Yoga etc.
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GROUND FLOOR
T Y PE A IN THE VILLAS Services: 1. Daily cleaning of rooms, laundry services etc. 22.. Meals can be prepared either on or off site and brought to the villa. 3. Food delivery. Fresh fish and daily fruit. 3. 4. Drivers and/or car hire. 5. Massage. 6. On site babysitting services and child care. Facilities: 1. Swimming pool. 2. Fully furnished villa 3. Kitchen 4. Televisions 5. Internet and Wi-Fi 6. Barbeque
THREE BERDOOMS | 100 SQM INTERNAL SPACE
FIRST FLOOR
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TY PE B
SECTION
TWO BERDOOMS | 76 SQM INTERNAL SPACE
GROUND FLOOR
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A CT IV ITIES
ALL ABOUT 25
Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing
Horse riding and camel riding
Essaouira boasts excellent conditions for surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing all year round. It regularly plays host to international surfing competitions. The coast around Essaouira is ideal not only for seasoned surfers but for novices too, and a range of conditions can be found to suit everyone’s ability or taste. A great advantage of Essaouira for surfers is the lack of rocks and currents, and the gradually descending sandy bottom. In addition the presence of the island of Mogador provides shelter and easier conditions on some beaches, whilst other areas have bigger waves stronger winds, ideal for surfing and windsurfing respectively. For yet more variety, other nearby surfing spots such as Moulay and Sidi Kaouki are easily accessible from the resort. Several companies in the area offer lessons and courses in all three sports.
There are a number of fantastic horse trekking routes on the beautiful coastline around Essaouira, which pass through sand dunes, endless beaches interspersed with date palms, and rocky peaks overlooking the sea. There are a number of companies offering guides and organised horse trekking in the area For the more adventurous it is even possible to go on multiple day treks along the coastline or inland, spending the nights in small towns along the way or camping.
As well as enjoying the pleasures of relaxing in your private villa and taking advantage of the facilities on offer at the resort, there are endless possibilities for exploring the local countryside and having fun on the beach. The coastline around Essaouira is considered some of the best in Morocco, with vast stretches of sandy beaches. In addition, walking in the hills can offer fantastic views over the coast, as well as the chance to discover traditional villages and Kasbahs nestling in the hillside. Venturing further along the coast (possibly on horseback - see below), charming fishing villages can be found. Golfers are well catered for at the Mogador Golf Club, which opened in Autumn 2009.
Camel riding is another activity on offer - a wonderful way to experience the local countryside, either on a short ride along the beach or a longer trek through the hills. Quad biking through the sand dunes is another activity which has gained popularity in recent years.
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T O W N
Essaouira has had a long and varied history due to its status as one of the best natural harbours on the Moroccan coast because of the way the island of Mogador shelters the bay of Essaouira. The Carthaginian navigator Hanno established the trading post of Arambys here in the 5th century BC. In the late 1st Century BC, the port gained importance as it became a great producer of purple dye made from certain types of sea shells. This was extremely valuable and was used for the purple border on Roman Senators’ togas. The small islands in the bay of Essaouira are still known as the Iles Purpuraires.
ALL ABOUT 27
Throughout the 16th century, various European powers including Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and France tried in vain to conquer Essaouira. The Portugese had some brief success and established a fort here in 1506. However, it was taken by local resistance only four years later in 1510.
harbour entrance which was designed by the English convert to Islam, Ahmed el Inglizi. Originally known as Mogador, the town became known as “Es-Saouira”, meaning “the beautifully designed”. Essaouira’s historic architecture is well-preserved and its medina is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
The city as it now stands was mainly built in the 18th century, when Mohammed III decided to reorient his kingdom towards the Atlantic coast in order to increase trade with Europe. Essaouira became the kingdom’s principal port due to its proximity to Marrakech and the fact that it had a natural harbour. Mohammed III employed French engineer Théodore Cornut to design the city along modern lines (his plan is pictured above). Cornut designed the royal quarter, the fortified Kasbah area, and quarters for European merchants. Other foreign architects and engineers designed other parts of the city, including the fortified
Today, Essaouira’s main industries are fishing, and many small-scale crafts, notably cabinet-making and decorative “thuya” wood-carving, both of which have been practiced in Essaouira for centuries. Many of these crafts are carried out in the medina area of the city using traditional methods. The picturesque city has long been popular with tourists as well as artists and film-makers. Parts of Orson Welles classic version of Othello (1952) were shot in the labyrinthine streets of the medina. Winston Churchill came here on holiday, and the city was also visited by Cat Stevens, Leonard Cohen and Jimi Hendrix, greatly influencing all of them. (Indeed it is claimed that the Hendrix song ‘Castles Made of Sand’ was inspired by the ruined watchtower in the nearby village of Diabat.)
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NEARB ATT RA CTION As well as being a fantastic holiday destination in its own right, Dar Amani can serve as an excellent base from which to explore Morocco. There are a huge number of potential day trips or longer excursions, ranging from driving up into the High Atlas mountains to experiencing the Sahara desert by camel.
The bustling cities of Marrakesh and Casablanca are both within easy reach by car, offering endless opportunities for sightseeing, shopping or simply relaxing. In addition, you can discover a host of smaller but equally fascinating towns, such as Taroudant, a traditional walled town surrounded by lush vegetation and containing a wonderful souk; or glamorous Oualidiya, known as the St. Tropez of Morocco; or Zagora, the gateway to the Sahara, with its famous sign pointing into the desert indicating that Timbuktu is 52 days’ camel ride away.
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BY Going on an adventure into the desert, either by camel or by 4x4, and experiencing the seemingly never-ending sand dunes, is another absolute must for any visitor.
Closer to home, Essaouira itself holds an annual Gnawa and World Music Festival. Gnawa music is the traditional music of the minority populations of sub-Saharan Africans in Morocco and as such combines a wide range of different influences. It is still very much alive and in recent years it has received renewed interest due to collaborations with jazz musicians, and the growth in popularity of world music. The festival, dubbed “the Moroccan Woodstock” lasts four days and draws around 450,000 spectators each year.
Throughout the year, the cultural diary is brimming with events. Marrakesh hosts a well-respected International Film Festival as well as a Biennale art festival. This year’s Biennale, entitled “Higher Atlas”, has received a good deal of press attention, reflecting Marrakesh’s ambition to become an internationally acclaimed centre for contemporary art.
Further afield, the charming Rose festival is held in El-Kelaa M’Gouna at the beginning of May as the town celebrates the harvest of rose petals, which are used to make rose water or perfume. The fragrance of the flowers pervades the town as processions of musicians and revellers dressed in rose pink parade through the town.
For those drawn to outdoor adventure, the Atlas Mountains provide wonderful opportunities for hiking. The many routes through the mountains offer spectacular views and also take in traditional Berber villages, magical scenes of almond blossom in the springtime, and snow-capped peaks in the winter.
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AVERAGE HIGH
TEMPERATURE (째C)
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HOURS OF DAYLIGHT HOURS OF SUNSHINE
ALL ABOUT 31 Essaouira enjoys a pleasant temperature all year round, meaning that the holiday season can potentially extend throughout the year.
The villa complex, on the other hand, has been designed to provide maximum shelter from the wind. The prevailing wind is from the North and North-East, while the main views from the villa complex are towards the South-West. This means that shelter can be provided without compromising the fantastic views towards the beach. The tranquil pool area is ideal for sun-bathing and relaxing - it is sheltered both by the natural topography and by the design of the buildings, yet it offers panoramic views to the South-West In mid to late summer, the sea temperature is perfect for swimming, and the rest of the year it is good for a bracing dip.
TEMPERATURE (°C)
RAINFALL
RAINFALL (mm)
Wind-free days in Essaouira are rare, so beach lounging isn’t really an option; instead, the broad, sandy city beach serves as a local park, popular with joggers, strollers and footballers. Conditions for windsurfing and kite-boarding are near-perfect and you’ll nearly always see boarders hurtling along; some spots are good for surfing, too.
SEA TEMPERATURE
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TRA NS POR T
The nearest airports are Agadir, Marrakesh and Essaouira. Essaouira Airport is expanding. You can now fly direct from Paris, and direct flights from the UK is expected to follow shortly. Although Agadir is closer than Marrakesh geographically, the road from Marrakesh is much better, meaning that it only takes two hours to drive from Marrakesh whereas it can take up to four from Agadir. The following airlines fly to Marrakesh: British Airways (from Heathrow or Gatwick) Ryanair (from Stanstead) Easyjet (from Gatwick) bmi (from Heathrow) The following airlines fly to Agadir:
British Airways (from Heathrow or Gatwick) Easyjet (from Gatwick) mi (from Heathrow) Royal Air Maroc also operates a route from Paris directly to Essaouira. The Dar Amani site itself is about 20 minutes
ALL ABOUT 33 Morocco is generally regarded as one of the most politically and economically stable North African countries. In 2011, Morocco adopted a new constitution with the potential to fundamentally reshape the division of powers between the monarchy and the legislature, to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, and to enhance human rights.
PO LITIC AL
In the wake of widespread protests across Morocco in early 2011, prompted by Arab Spring unrest throughout the region, King Mohammed VI introduced a reform program that included constitutional reforms and early elections. On July 1, voters approved a new constitution that strengthened the role of the parliament and called for an independent judiciary. Parliamentary elections held in November 2011 were generally regarded by international observers as free and fair.
Under Mohammed VI, the Moroccan Government has undertaken a number of economic, social, and political reforms, including the 2003 Moudawana, a reform of the family status code, and the 2006 Equity and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated allegations of human rights abuse from 1956 to 1999. In 2005, the king launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a project to address poverty in rural areas and combat social exclusion in urban areas. The government initiated a number of other important reforms, upgrading the national education system, overhauling the health care regime, broadening the scope of medical insurance, and facilitating access to housing to achieve its human development goals. The Moroccan economy has been characterized by macroeconomic stability, with generally low inflation and sustained, moderately high
growth rates over the past several years. Morocco’s primary economicchallenge is to accelerate growth and sustain that improved performance in order to reduce high levels of unemployment and underemployment. While overall unemployment stood at 9.1% in the third quarter of 2011, this figure masks significantly higher urban unemployment, over 30% among young urban males. Since early in his reign, King Mohammed VI has called for expanded employment opportunities, economic development, meaningful education, and increased housing availability. The government has pursued an ambitious program of reforms to increase productivity and competitiveness of the national economy through sectoral strategies targeting energy, fisheries, industry, commerce, agriculture, tourism, and logistics. The new government appointed in January 2012 is expected to continue these policies. Promising reforms have occurred in the financial sector. Privatizations have reduced the size of the public sector. Morocco has liberalized rules for oil and gas exploration and has granted concessions for public services in major cities. Morocco was among the first Arab and Islamic states to denounce the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States and declare solidarity with the American people in fighting terrorism. In addition to traditional security measures, King Mohammed VI has promoted significant initiatives to counter extremism and dissuade individuals from becoming radicalized. Each Ramadan, for example, the king hosts a series of religious lectures, inviting Muslim speakers from around the world to promote moderate and peaceful religious interpretations.
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