House for rent in Essaouira

If you are wanting a holiday in Essaouira, then having your own house can be a really wonderful way to enjoy the area. The rates are between 200 and 240 UK pounds per week and for full details and availability please contact Martyn Wheatley by email: Wheatley230@aol.com




Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

Property Management Services in the Medina

As a longtime Fez visitor and recent owner of property in the Medina, I have long wondered what happens to houses when homeowners leave their property for the summer or longer. Do you want your halka opened and closed regularly while you are away? Would you like fresh flowers upon your arrival?

With increased attention and ownership levels rising in the Medina, I have decided to move to Fez permanently in late May and start a property management company. At this time, I am posting this advertisement (Many thanks to ‘The View’) both as an introduction to my planned services as well as a means to let potential home and guesthouse owners that there will be such assistance available soon.

I will be building a team of reliable locals who will, on a regular basis, clean and maintain properties as well as provide food and decorative options for homeowners and guests. Upon agreement with the owners and staff members, I will keep in contact personally with owners and guests with regular updates and special requests.

Proposed Services will include the following:

Financial

+ Maintain payments for guests and rentals

+ Pay all bills including telephone, taxes, maintenance, and construction crews

+ Provide Monthly or Quarterly Management Reports summarizing maintenance performed, areas where maintenance is needed, and other problems

+ Answer questions, problems and complaints of owners and guests

Cleaning and Maintenance

+ Organization and personal supervision of cleaning teams before, during and after a stay

+ Organization and personal supervision of all maintenance issues including regular checks of appliances, gas tanks, drains, halkas even lightbulbs

+ Minor repairs

Dining

+ Preparation of breakfast and/or other meals at owners’ request with local or international cuisine

+ Stocking of refrigerator prior to owners’ arrival in Fez

+ Restaurant referrals in and out of the Medina for paying guests

Décor

+ Fresh flowers, fine soaps, pressed sheets and towels, music and dvd’s: if you have special requests, I can provide the added personal touch for you and your guests

+ Owing to the demand for “authentic” Moroccan or Fez handicrafts, if you would like a new set of cushions or a new kilim to be purchased for your home or as a gift, I can act as a personal shopper for all tastes and budgets

About Me

A practicing architect, architectural historian and photographer, I received my PhD in art history from the UCLA in 2006. Near fluent in Italian and French, I have extensive experience living and working abroad including 2.5 years in India and most recently 4 years in Rome, Italy. My first book, Flames of Devotion, formed the basis of an exhibition of South Asian ritual sculpture I curated at the Fowler Museum in Los Angeles. I am currently completing two books of essays and photographs concerning modern Italian architecture. I graduated with honors from Cornell and Princeton Universities. My interest in the conservation of vernacular architectures has led to work and extensive research in West Africa, South and Southeast Asia and most recently, Afghanistan.

If you are interested in any or all of these planned services, or, if you would like to discuss other options not mentioned here, please contact me at the following e-mail address: sean.anderson22@gmail.com

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

One year rental accommodation wanted.

Fassi is looking to rent a studio or Masria in Fez. Must be available for at least one year. Offering monthly rental between 1000 and 1500 dirhams.

Please contact: Rental c/- Artizany@gmail.com

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

Response to Skierans #3

We have had a couple of dozen responses to the email from Skierans about foreign property agents and, as promised, we are publishing the best of them. You will find Skierans original post here. SKIERANS.

Today we hear from Mike.

I must admit some confusion about Skieirans comments regarding foreign property agents. Skieirans states that "nearly all the intermediaries are English or French or American" but then Skieirans "easily finds a great Moroccan intermediary". If it is that easy to find a Moroccan, is there really a problem with having foreign property agents available for those who want them? The foreign agents still have to rely on local notaires, simsars, and adouls, so they are still contributing to the local economy. What they do provide is a bridge between cultures allowing those unfamiliar with the culture an easier entrance.

That there would be some disconnect between the existance foreign property agents and their desire to help save the medina, is similarly confusing. Is this because the medina can only be saved at the exclusion of foreign settlement? In the absence of more Moroccans returning to and investing in the medina are we to suggest that no foreigners might work toward saving the medina?

In a perfect world it might seem ideal that only Moroccans benefit from selling houses in the Fes medina. To suggest, however, that it is unethical for foreigners living in Fes to benefit from doing so in and of itself defies logic. What is it exactly that is unethical about making money for providing a service? Surely one's nationality alone can't be considered unethical. Skieirans seems merely to discriminate against foreigners based on their nationality.

Even those foreign intermediaries who charge higher fees for services than local ones are not necessarily being unethical. The ethics of those higher fees are open to discussion. Some agencies argue that their additional services, including consultancy and ongoing support and the additional commitment involved therein, warrant the higher fees. It is up to individual prospectives buyers to determine if they want to pay the higher fees to gain additional support and an intermediary they can more readily relate to, or whether they want to go local either to save on fees and to support the indigenous intermediaries.

To suggest that there is something inherently unethical about expatriate property agents operating in Fes strikes me as unnecessarily prejudicial. I wonder if Skieirans has the same feelings about expatriate property agents in other countries as diverse as France, Spain, and Canada?

Mike L.


Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

Top accommodation in Fez

This vast 17th-century palace, former home of Minister Mnehbi, has been lovingly restored over two years to provide a wonderful guesthouse. Superbly comfortable and furnished in an eclectic style, it offers comfortable suites with delightful bathrooms. The magnificent kitchen is yours to explore Fassi cuisine. The roof terrace provides sweeping views over the medina.

· convenient location in the medina

· 5 generously-proportioned suites

· lounge/dining room with fireplace

· huge kitchen with cooking lessons available

· air-conditioning

· large garden

· Fabulous roof terrace

· WIFI internet connection and fax

Contact: Fes Riads

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

House to rent

Traditional house, meticulously restored and comfortably furnished. Just off Tala'a Kebira. Sleeps up to 5. From 80 Euros per night for the entire house, including breakfast.

Maison traditionnelle, parfaitement restaurée et très confortable. A partir de €80 le nuit pour la maison entière, jusqu'à 5 personnes, petit déjeuner inclus.

For more information:

Contact Fez Riads

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

Congratulations Fez Riads

Fez Riads is not only having a birthday - but they have announced two important restoration projects in the Fez Medina. This was made possible by the support of a host of riads and dars in Fez, and the visitors who stayed in them. Congratulations from Samir, Zany, El Glaoui and the team at The View from Fez.

Read the story and see the pics here: Fez Riad's Birthday.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news

Rent a riad in Fez

When you come to Fez - enjoy the unique experience of living in a riad in the heart of the historic old Medina. We have a large selection of dars, riads and guesthouses for holiday rental on our books, with a range of prices to fit any budget.

Best of all a percentage of the fee goes towards restoration projects in the Medina.

You can contact us here: Fez Riads.