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Article: BEYOND THE MEDINA ; Marrakech's old town is a hot and dusty market frenzy. The cool money is now buying near the stunning Atlas mountains, says Cathy Hawker
- Article from:
- The Evening Standard (London, England)
- Article date:
- September 16, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 Evening Standard - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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AGENERATION after it was discovered by the rich and the hip likes
of Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol, Marrakech has managed to retain its
exotic mystique despite being only three hours from London.
But popularity has had its impact. Ten years ago there were only
10 guesthouses in the Medina, no direct flights to Europe and you
could buy your culture gem riad for Pounds 20,000. Today, a restored
riad will be closer to Pounds 250,000, nearly 1,000 of them operate
as small guesthouse and visitors can choose from six airlines flying
regularly to Marrakech.
Many buyers who bought in the Medina soon found the pace of life
there a mixed blessing. Kate Fenwick from Chelsea bought a riad in
2003 but ...