Yacout Info: How and why did you come to Marrakech and what makes it special?
Lynn Guinness: I came out in 2001 to stay with English friends of mine who were building their own house and I fell absolutely in love with Marrakech and five days later I bought a plot of land in the Palmerie and built my first house. This was more of a holiday house and I came out and stayed l and finally in 2006, I decided to come and live in Marrakech.

Q: What is the concept behind your development here of the Ferme de Saladin?
A: I decided to move from the Palmerie. It seemed to me to be getting hotter and more like a desert, so I decided to move to the other side of Marrakech where it is closer to the mountains with a wonderful view of the Atlas and it is cooler and definitely greener. There many farms and nurseries and the agricultural communities in the mountains and also I wanted a bigger plot of land to be able to have chickens and donkeys,which I now have. When I bought this property there was already an olive grove in place . I thought that rather than have two and a half hectares with a large garden, I would grow some agricultural products as well and I planted barley and lusan ( el fah fah) for animal feed which is planted amongst the lawn walks. I have just planted the barley for the coming season and it does look beautiful, as the barley grows under the olive trees, which is why I did it. The barley provides food for the donkeys in the winter

Q: What size is the whole development at Ferme de Saladin?
A: There are ten lots and I am building houses very similar to this one, three of which have a house and guest house on the each plot. Karim El Achak was the architect . There are two lots still for sale.

Q: How do you think the property market in the Marrakech area is doing?
A: Well, it has been hit by the global financial crisis as has everywhere else but I am confident that it will come back, it has to, because Marrakech and its environs are a wonderful place to be, with a superb climate . It is delightful and the people are so welcoming and friendly. I feel very safe here as a woman living on my own, much safer than in London. It is a wonderful place to live in and to visit.

Q: Do you feel happier not living in the city itself?
A: I hardly ever go into Marrakech unless I have things to do and friends staying who want to visit the souk and be shown round Marrakech.Of course I do this with great pleasure. I find it so calm and peaceful here and it is good to have the contrast between the countryside and the very busy city.

Q: Do you think properties outside Marrakech are becoming more popular?
A: Yes, definitely. Personally I prefer a country property like this to living in the Medina, it is very much a matter of personal taste. It would be too claustrophobic for me and I prefer to be out in the countryside which is unpolluted and a crystal clear atmosphere with green trees and grass, this is what I love with my dogs and animals.

Q: Have you completed the construction of seven houses?
A: We had ten lots originally, I built two houses for myself comprising a house and guest house and my business partner Francis Pike bought the same. He is now selling it. We sold a double lot to charming New Zealand people who also built a principle house and guesthouse. This left four lots, two of which have been sold and there are two remaining to be sold. I think it is the nicest development in Marrakech, but then I would of course!

Q: There is a great deal of development going on in Marrakech what do you think about the situation?
A: I have no means of assessing this as the powers that be have the overall view and I feel that I am an amateur. I made my decisions on this development which is very much in the traditional style, the architect trained in Italy and introduced ideas about light and space. It is Moroccan with a very comfortable interior. At this time of the year you have the sun shinning during the day and wood fires at night which is a wonderful combination.

Q: Do you think that British people will return to Marrakech in the same numbers as previously ?
A: I think Morocco has so much to offer that once we start to move forward out of recession I can’t see why the British wouldn’t come here. It is very close to England and there is no jet lag factor, the weather is superb all the year round and it has so much going for it including the friendly Moroccan people, so I am sure more British people will come here. There is Easy jet but sadly British Airways do not come here any more. People who buy houses at the top end of the market or stay in five star hotels do not have a good choice of full service airlines with reasonable comfort and club and first class and at the moment. There does need to be more direct flights to Marrakech.
Morocco is a strong emerging economy and once people feel they are moving out of recession they will start to come to sunnier climates again.

Q: Do you see any ecological dangers for Marrakech regarding pollution and water shortage?
A: I hope that the Ourika Valley will still be kept for agricultural purposes and remain unspoilt by too much development. It is very important that Marrakech should have a good food supply available locally. I am not an expert but I understand that there is plenty of water in Morocco. It is a question of water management and distribution with water recycling plants, bearing in mind all the golf courses and swimming pools. I don’t think there is a water shortage in this area.

Q: Do you think that the tourism developments outside Marrakech are expanding?
A: When I started here, mine was the only development but now there are new complexes all around us. However it doesn’t disturb the rural peace, although I am no longer surrounded by open countryside.

I do think the market for four bedroom houses with half a hectare is probably saturated. I have actually added a bedroom to the two remaining houses which are for sale to make five bedrooms. Buyers are now looking for large houses rather than smaller villas which is interesting. Quality construction with well built and well finished houses are now even more important.
Q: Mark Birley the owner of Annabel’s in London bought a house on the Ferme de Saladin didn’t he?
A: Yes, he was buying the big house behind mine but sadly died before it was completed . He adored Morocco, he was a great friend of mine who used to come and stay with me often and wanted his own place here. His death was a great sadness. We are in the process of selling it, it’s a big house and is called “Saladin”.

Q: Do you have any plans for further developments ?
A: Yes but I am waiting for the economic turn around before starting on them. I do have property that I would like to build on but I am biding my time.

Q: How do you think the property market in the Marrakech area is doing?
A: Well, it has been hit by the global financial crisis as has everywhere else but I am confident that it will come back, it has to, because Marrakech is a wonderful place to be, with a superb climate . It is delightful and the people are so welcoming and friendly . I feel very safe here as a woman living on my own, much safer than in London. It is a wonderful place to live in and a wonderful place to visit.

Q: Do you feel happier not living in the city itself?
A: I hardly ever go into Marrakech unless I have things to do and friends staying who want to visit the souk and be shown round Marrakech then of course I do this with great pleasure. I find it so calm and peaceful here an d it is good to have the contrast between the countryside and the very busy city.

Q: Do you think properties outside Marrakech are becoming more popular?
A: Yes, definitely. Personally I prefer a country property like this to living in the Medina, it is very much a matter of personal taste. It would be too claustrophobic for me and I prefer to be out in the countryside which is unpolluted and has a chrystal clear atmosphere with green trees and grass, this is what I love, with my dogs and animals.

Q: There is a great deal of development going on in Marrakech what do you think about the situation?
A: I have no means of assessing this as the powers that be have the overall view and I feel that I am an amateur . I made my decisions on this development which is very much in the traditional style , the architect trained in Italy and introduced ideas about light and space . In a Moroccan style building. It is Moroccan with a very comfortable interior . At this time of the year you have the sun shinning during the day and wood fires at night which is a wonderful combination.

Q: Do you think that British people will return to Marrakech in the same numbers as previously ?
A: I think Morocco has so much to offer that once we start to move forward out of recession.
I can’t see why the British wouldn’t come here. It is very close to England and there is no jet lag factor, the weather is superb all the year round and it has so much going for it including the friendly Moroccan people, so I am sure more British people will come. There is Easy jet and sadly British Airways do not come here any more .People who buy houses at the top end of the market for buying houses and staying in five star hotels look for a good choice of full service airlines with reasonable comfort and club and first class and these are not available at the moment. There does need to be more direct flights to Marrakech.
Morocco is an emerging economy and once people feel they are moving out of recession they will start to come to sunnier climates again.

Q: Do you see any ecological dangers for Marrakech regarding pollution and water shortage?
A: I hope that the Ourika Valley will still be kept for agricultural purposes and remain unspoilt by too much development. It is very important that Marrakech should have a good food supply available locally. I am not an expert but I understand that there is plenty of water in Morocco. It is a question of water management and distribution with water recycling plants bearing in mind all the golf courses and swimming pools. I don’t think there is a water shortage in this area of Morocco.

Q: Do you think that the tourism developments outside Marrakech are expanding?
A: When I started here mine was the only development here but now there are new complexes all around us, however it doesn’t disturb the rural peace although I am no longer surrounded by open countryside. I do think the market for four bedroom houses with half a hectare is probably saturated . I have actually added a bedroom to the two remaining houses which are for sale to make five bedrooms. Buyers are now looking for large houses rather than smallere villas which is interesting. Quality construction with well built and well finished houses are now even more important.

Q: Do you have any plans for further developments ?
A: Yes but I am waiting for the economic turn around before starting on them. I do have property that I would like to build on but I am biding my time.