Review: Farasha Farmhouse

Why book?

To retreat from the bustle of the medina and peek into Marrakech’s creative new scene.

Set the scene

Secluded in an 8.5 acres olive grove and 45-minutes out-of-earshot from the busy Marrakech medina, Farasha Farmhouse feels like a hidden agroturismo or clubhouse that wouldn’t be out of place in Ibiza or Joshua Tree. On a hot, humdinger of day you’ll find Marrakech’s creative cool kids lazing on big sunbeds by the 50-meter pool before drifting to candlelit tarot suppers and hypnotherapy performances. This feels like a peek into the new-age Marrakech scene.

The backstory

The clubhouse is the vision of Marrakech-based husband-and-wife duo and event stylists Fred and Rosena Charmoy (Boutique Souk), who, over the past two decades, have planned some of the most talked about parties in the Red City. Inspired by time spent in Ibiza and Austin, the duo wanted to build a clubhouse that reflected their Marrakech creative community with on-site accommodation for visitors who wanted to be part of this creative scene. Once the residence and atelier of French painter Patrice Arnaud, the pair bought the property in 2021 and rebuilt it as a five-bedroom retreat and farm, using local artisans and craftsmanship to shape the property. There are shaggy carpets by independent atelier Beni Rugs, installations by local artists Amine El Gotaibi and Laurence Leenaert (Lrnce), and furniture pieces sourced from nearby suppliers, to name just a few.

The rooms

Like the rest of building, each of the three spacious suites in the main building are tactile and layered with smooth tadelakt finishes and local zellige tiles, each with a slightly groovy 60s feel, with shag-pile carpets, burnt orange and brown tones and velvet upholstery. The suite on the ground floor has its own private patio, while the two top-floor suites are cavernous, curvy spaces with deep tubs and views across to the mountains. Outside, a traditional adobe has been reimagined as a self-contained stylish casita with a spacious, separate living room and is the best suite for those seeking a bit more privacy and room-to-pool access.

Food and drink

All meals are communal jovial affairs and served family-style at the long dining table on the shaded patio and riff on European and Moroccan flavours. Mornings begin at your own pace with homemade granola and shakshuka before heartier lunches and dinners of chicken tagines, lamb kebabs and roasted eggplant with colourful zesty salads mostly plucked from the on-site vegetable garden. Pool passes for day-trippers include lunch (plus each sunbed comes with its own cooler icebox filled with rose, beers, and soft drinks). On the patio is ‘Freddie’s bar’, where bartenders begin to shake pre-dinner cocktails around 5pm.

The neighbourhood/area

Nothing but the sky, mountains and olive groves surround you. This is the countryside.

The service

Low-key and casual. This is a clubhouse with rooms. There are of course staff who can help you – snacks, drinks, food – but don’t expect silver-service.

For families

No children under the age of 14.

Eco effort

Refillable bottles, no plastic, and all furniture and materials are local, handmade or vintage. Majority of vegetables are plucked from the garden and the property is working towards off-grid and integrating solar.

Accessibility

There are no steps on the ground floor, so people with disabilities should book the ground floor suite.

Anything left to mention?

Keep your ear to the ground for events happening here from festivals to salon talks.