5 TIMES BELGIANS IN MARRAKECH

It's always nice to spot a fellow countryman, and it's even nicer seeing  them adding some added value to the city...

There are plenty of nice and fancy places to stay or spend your money in another way when you are visiting the pink city. Being a Belgian, I thought sharing my favourite Belgian addresses with you in this post. I know there are plenty more of them, and if you happen to be one of them, just drop me a line and get in touch!

5) Riad O
a stylish, riad in the Bab Doukala area.
If you want to feel at home, but with a little Moroccan twist, this is your place.

 photo credit Riad O

4)Jnane Tihihit

A real farm just outside Marrakech in the beautiful area of the lake of Lalla Takerkoust, direction of Amizmiz! Animal and kid friendly. It's my perfect day out on a hot hot day. Sun - pool - friendly owners - fantastic food and the best home-made goat cheese in Morocco!

photo credit Jnane tihihit

3)Dar Kawa
When you are design minded, book your stay at Valérie Barkowski's Dar Kawa . Valérie is a designer and besides the styling of the riad she runs various creative projects.

photo credit Dar Kawa

2)Max & Jan

The new concept store of the Belgian brand in Marrakech is a must visit! Go there if you want to take the colours of Morocco home with you in timeless pieces that will brighten your wardrobe!

 photo credit Coco-Morocco

2)Dar Touyir

If the Medina of Marrakech is about something, then it is about surprises. Surprising for every new  old door you open, every new riad (typical Medina house) you enter. Refreshing patio's, lush inner gardens, stunning rooms and perspectives, and there for dar Touyir is my number 1 Belgian guesthouse.

But...don't let this stop you on discovering many more beautiful riads in Marrakech.

photo credit Dar Touyir 

more Belgians in Marrakech?
Martine Hillen and her brand M'H collection 
Photographers Véronique & Mark 
Mogador Home Resort,  Real Estate & Architectural services 
 

Are you missing someone?  Get in touch!

A SUMMER IN ARTIST KATHY LUCOFF GODIN"S HOUSE

I feel blessed! My dear friend, art collector and artist Kathy Godin asked me to stay in her house in Essaouira to take care of her two lovely dogs. I couldn't have thought of a nicer place then this one to spend part of my summer. But more is there to come, On Wednesday another good friend in Marrakech, Synnove Holte and I are going to make a road trip to the Sahara by public transport. I love this idea and I am sure it will inspire me for some hilarious, yet authentic and pure moments to share with you. We are checking out on different hotels and resorts for my selection on yoga venues and for my tours. At the same time we are going to check up on the date-farm Synnove is supporting in Merzouga.
Here are some shots on this nice house I'm spending my time in right now. It feels to me as a blend from Essaouira and L.A. clear, vibrant saturated colour splashes and one of my Boucherouite carpets!

PROGRESS ON A PROJECT IN MOROCCO

About a year ago I had the first meetings in this hotel. Not often it happens that owner and designer have a same view, and this was one of these rare moments. Things move on slow but for every piece that is accomplished, there is the joy of looking at it, being happy it turned out to be as visualised or even better.
can't wait for the pool to be ready
the romantic room with this O SO romantic bathroom
the ocean suite
the colonial room

Creating a place of authenticity that re-invents Moroccan tradition and mixes it with pure whites and greys...

KASBAH GOUSTEAU, MORE BELGIAN BEAUTY IN MOROCCO

Beauty and architecture, is there a difference? I guess not, and if there were then they are both running through my veins :). 

When I 'm not out there somewhere in Essaouira or Marrakech, I 'm hunting the internet and (YES, there goes my time)  ALWAYS happy for every little gem I discover.

So one day I found Kasbah Gousteau, among another Belgian pearl in the Taroudant region and I got an invitation from the owner, who is running also a guesthouse in Bruges - Belgium. It took me one year but finally, on our latest ladies tour, WE MADE IT!!!

And boy what a welcome! We were received like queens by Abdel who was speaking almost perfect Flemish (Limburgs?!).

The Kasbah, rebuilt some 6 years ago with a lot of attention for detail offers 5 rooms, a swimming pool with jacuzzi area, magnificent terraces, inner gardens and all is so beautifully styled with art collected from all over the globe! Every room was a discovery and the evening at the candle-lit terrace was a perfect ending of a perfect day!