maison mk

renovations (2)

With the concreting, plastering, painting, tiling, etc continuing (and almost finished), the end of our little summer 'pause' is approaching. How we can cause such a mess to just change around the spa area & add a shower and a hamam astounds me ! Still, we are now in the final stages & then the big clean commences.

As always when chaos is at its height, I decide to do something very important that may, possibly, be something that can be finished. This time, i will mainly be grinding coffee ! In Morocco, as any riad owner will tell you, trying to actually finish a job is almost impossible.

For example, you want to put a screw into a wall to hang a picture.

Stage 1 - try to find the tape measure (which is lost / missing the first 20cm / etc/ etc).

Stage 2 - all pencils / pens missing (despite buying 100 pens).

Stage 3 - get the drill (which has no plug on the end, so fit a plug. Obviously there will be no plugs, so go and buy another one first).

Stage 4 - fit the drill bit (double problem here - no drill bits, therefore go to the shop & buy yet another bit, and then no chuck key to tighten the bit into the drill).

Stage 5 - drill hole, finally!

Stage 6 - find the missing rawl plugs.

Stage 7 - no screws, buy one.

Stage 8 - can't find the screwdriver / screwdriver snapped in two pieces / use the oyster knife or sabbatier carving knife.

Stage 9 - pop the screw in the wall.

Usually you give up around stage 5, but this is an incredibly common frustration of  trying to achieve the simplest little task on the great 'things to do' list !

tea pot people

I wanted to get some little, cute covers for the teapot handles when we serve mint tea. Pauline went out and, deep in the souks, found these slightly terrifying little people. Some people say that in the night they run around the kitchen &  scare the fruit & vegetables...we just don't know.

still shipping...

we are still behaving like a small branch of DHL with the amount of stuff that is still heading over to Marrakech from the UK. The clients all think it is all complete, but i still continue to add finishing touches that i really want to offer people.
We have another 200kg's going out on Saturday - shipping list includes 12 tins of paint (the Moroccans don't really do accurate paint mixing!), 5 bathroom curtains (currently only a voille between bedroom & bathroom, in one week there will be an optional thick curtain), 25kg of coffee beans (best i've ever tasted from the Algerian Coffee House in Soho - important to me to have the best whenever possible), 4 directors chairs (for our butler picnic - think Out Of Africa with white china, bejewelled umbrellas, flowing silks, etc out in the Moroccan countryside), champagne buckets, plus 40kgs of bits & bobs - vacuvin stoppers, curtain rings, lighting, cable clips, table legs, etc, etc, etc.

maison mk marketing...smashing !

Here is the stand that we have at a few village fairs in the UK to tell people about maison mk. This was in Barnes in London - held on a freezing, cloudy and rainy day, in July in the middle of what is jokingly called 'summer' here in England. Lots of interest though - Marrakech has really taken off with the British & lots of people seem to like what we have done with the design & ethos of the hotel.

Sadly, this is what happens when you are forced to take evasive actions on the fast lane of the A3 and scrape the entire side of the car down the crash barrier, on the way home from the fair. All side panels destroyed, both tyres burst, alloy wheels crushed,all suspension broken - waiting to hear if its a write off ! A bad end to a good day....

renovations

OK, we are now closed for one month during July so that we can make some improvements in the riad. It brings back all the horrible memories of noise, dust, concrete, hammering, rubble, floods, etc that we were so used to in 2007.  But we are changing one of our treatment rooms into a hamam (a traditional moroccan sauna / steam room) where you can have fabulous ancient treatments performed by our hamamist, hamamer, hamameuse, ....or whatever a person that works in the hamam is called.

no... lets be crazy & build the new wall parallel to the old wall, makes a change from all the wonky angles that  we tried before!

We are also adding a dedicated manicure & pedicure area and also a shower and changing  room.

things to do list...

Anybody that has come within 20 feet of me in the last 2 years knows that I have become obsessed with the great 'things to do' list. It is still alive, but we are beating it into submission &, in an attempt to remove an easy item from the great list, I ventured into the pool to pick out some pearl decorations that had ended up on the bottom. What should have been a 2 minute job turned into a 40 minute job - every time i dived to the bottom to pick up the little disks, the crazed thrashing of my arms & legs wafted them across the pool & out of reach. With the help of the duck, and two of the staff generally pointing at the pool, the three little disks were removed & another item was ticked off !

Cushions...cushions...cushions...

Apparently, according to Peter & Keith, our interior designers, you can never have too many cushions ! I beg to differ - we have managed to fill half a room with ours. That is a pile about 10 metres long, 5 metres wide & half way up to the roof ! Peter & Keith are still producing more in a cushion frenzy in the workshop in Winchester. Sad thing is, they're right - it looks gorgeous when the whole riad is dressed in its glad rags. Just another 50-100 cushions to go (and we should be unable to open the front door any more)!

Sunday People

Two whole pages in the Sunday People on maison mk. Great review - the journalists were with us for a week and had a fantastic time. Its always funny having journalists staying at the riad because you constantly wonder what they are thinking about everything. Thankfully, they all seem to love what we are doing & they have a great time.

Hedonists Guide 2 (Hg2)

WE have just been visited by the Hedonsts Guide team. The combined score of 26 puts us equal second out of fifty-six riads in Marrakech! Here is the review.

--------------------------------

Style : 9, Atmosphere : 8 , Location : 9

Designed by chic fashion photographers, each room is individual with a vibrant array of unusual and classic Moroccan furniture, and a strong modern art collection, with statement pieces of sculpture. Rooms are large and the lighting fantastic, perfect for a romantic weekend, with the roof terrace and fabulous expansive views sealing the deal.

Review
Maison MK has just opened its doors and has quickly become one of the hottest riads in town. 

The riad has been designed by fashion photographers Paul and Aoibheann Hopkins, who have worked hard to transform the riad into a boutique hotel. The riad has curved lines and high-tech gadgets throughout, yet manages to seamlessly incorporate traditional materials and furniture to maintain its Moroccan charm. 

Rooms are decorated in tadelakt and neutral calming tones, with statement pieces and stunning pictures.  Rooms are large and lighting throughout the riad is fantastic, especially at night. 

There is a huge roof terrace with a bar from which you have one of the best views available in the medina.

There are pre-loaded ipods in each of the rooms and mobile phones are also provided to each guest.  There is a small curved plunge pool in the courtyard, as well as gym equipment, spa and cinema room.  With all these facilities, it is very hard to tear yourself away from the riad to explore Marrakech!

The Square...

Just back from Marrakech & finally took my camera out to take some photos. However, ran out of time (as always !) so just had time for a few snaps. The main square was as lively as ever with its snake charmers, story tellers, etc, etc. maison mk is only 2 minutes walk away from the square.

Hammam on its way...

We are heading into summertime in July when temperatures go crazy - 140 degrees not uncommon ! So we are taking advantage of this by closing for one month to do all the changes & renovations that are impossible to do when clients are in the riad.
The biggest change will be to move the gym upstairs & install a hammam (traditional sauna / steam room) and a dedicated area for manicures & pedicures, and also a shower room & changing room. This will further  enhance the spa facilities that we are currently offering.
Hasna, our beautician / masseuse, has been a huge hit with the clients. One client has had 5 treatments in 3 days & still wanted more. Another client, very experienced in receiving massages all over the world, said that it was the best massage she had ever had ! So we continue to offer more services on the spa side of the riad.

OK! magazine

Great coverage from OK Magazine in May. Thought we might have a photo of Jallel & Pauline (the managers) standing by the fireplace dressed in pearls & black tie, but  it seems OK! has happily moved on from that sort of photoshoot!

Ryanair In Flight Magazine - part 2

And this was the other article in the same magazine...

Cream of the Crop Maison MK Opened in February, this avant-garde riad is the brainchild of a pair of fashion photographers who came to Marrakesh on a shoot and fell in love with the place.

There are six bespoke suites, which come with cool extras like a dedicated iPod stereo system and a complimentary mobile phone to call the staff on if you get lost. The terrace has views of the medina skyline and Koutoubia mosque, and is laden with soft, stylish cushions. Then there are the massages enjoyed in two dedicated courtyard treatment rooms, as well as first-class dining options. The only downside is that you might feel like you don’t want to bother going anywhere else during your stay. DOUBLES FROM 3,445 DIRHAMS (€300) A NIGHT, INCLUDING BREAKFAST. TEL: +212 (0)24 376 173, WWW.MAISONMK.COM.

Ryanair In Flight Magazine

Double article in this month's in-flight magazine from Ryanair...firstly on Jallel, our manager...


MARRAKESH JALLEL TABET, HOTEL MANAGER

Soak up the exotic sights of Morocco’s second-largest city, and don’t be afraid to mingle with the locals

“I’M from Algeria originally, so have always had a special connection with North Africa. I’ve travelled all over the world, but there is nowhere else quite like Marrakesh. It’s the most thrilling and intriguing place, and I cannot see myself leaving in a hurry.

“After growing up in Africa, I moved to the UK and learned English while working in the hotel and catering trade. When I was offered a job here last year, they didn’t need to ask me twice to move back. Marrakesh is the perfect combination of all the best bits of Europe, Africa and the Middle East – a desert oasis that you cannot really pin down.

“Sometimes new arrivals think Marrakesh is dangerous, but I totally disagree. It’s much safer than London or Paris. Yes, people will approach you trying to be your ‘guide’, or sell you something, but they normally take no for an answer when you insist, and the tourist police keep a watchful eye on things in the medina.

“My advice for first-timers is come with an open mind and don’t be afraid. Lose yourself in the rhythm and breathe in the exotic sights and sounds. The people here are some of the most open and friendly anywhere in the world. Learning even a few simple words of Arabic will enrich your time in the city and help open up new experiences, as it sets you aside from most visitors.

“Another great thing here is the food. Don’t be afraid to eat at the smoking stalls in Djemaa el-Fna. They use hot oil and grills, so hygiene is good. Also try one of the classy Moroccan restaurants for a real all-evening feast. There are also many international restaurants, with everything from great pizza to a quality steak.

“Some people worry things in Marrakesh are changing. There are a lot of big international brand hotels opening outside the medina, but Marrakesh has absorbed travellers from all over for centuries, so I think it will cope with the round of new arrivals without losing any of its magic.”

WWW.MAISONMK.COM

Times Online spa review

Maison MK Spa, Marrakech

Sand, argan oil and rosewater are key ingredients at a spa in a stylish new riad

Sarah Maslin Nir

USP Maison MK is a six-bedroom riad, modernly appointed, unlike most of its peers who try to evoke Morocco of antiquity. Set in the crooked streets of Marrakech’s lively old medina, inside it meshes Islamic and 21st-century architecture.

The interior design is the work of Paul Hopkins, a fashion photographer, and the place reflects his stylish eye: seamless organic lines, tranquil nooks and a flowing spaciousness.

AMBIENCE The spa is on the ground floor and features just two treatment rooms; one “dark” for calming massage therapy, and one “light” for beauty treatments. They abut the spacious courtyard and are shuttered with elegant wood panels.

After your treatment you can take a dip in the small pool at the centre of the riad's open-air courtyard, though at certain times of the year it might be too chilly.

At dusk, it’s particularly picturesque: the gracious and good-looking staff strews the illuminated pool with rose petals and tea lights flicker around the circumference. A dip and a glass of the house Moroccan rose are just the thing after your body gets a walloping from head masseuse, Sylvie Delpy’s strong thumbs.

EXPERIENCE During my treatment there was construction going on outside. The rat-a-tat-tat of hammers seriously impeded my ability to de-stress and enjoy my Thai massage, despite the valiant efforts of the practitioner.

Though street noise is endemic in Marrakech, fortunately every chamber in Maison MK – including the treatment rooms – is equipped with a sound system to which you can hook your own ipod or one of the pre-loaded minis the hotel provides (chilled out Corrine Bailey Rae is on the playlist, as is the decidedly less chill Eminem). Ms Delpy, a California-trained yoga aficionado, turned up the juice and drowned out the clanging with Charlotte Church.

Treatments, like the hotel itself, fuse old and new age. The exfoliation treatments use sand and argan oil, an artisanal specialty produced by Moroccan women that’s increasingly being incorporated into western mainstream beauty products. It’s rich in wrinkle-fighting vitamin E. Their signature manicure incorporates “black soap” the emollient used by locals in their weekly visits to their hammam, and a dash of rosewater, one of the country’s major exports.

FOOD Maison MK offers a seven-course French-Moroccan fusion tasting menu with oddball twists like a Mojito sorbet palate cleanser. If staying at the hotel you can opt to accompany the chef to market to help pick out that evening’s cuisine.

IN CROWD It’s too early to name-drop as it’s only been open a month, but because of the owner’s fashion-credentials and the nouveau-boutique feel, Maison MK already has a bit of a buzz going among the magazine editor set. Expect high-profile media types on romantic weekends and style-savvy loved-up couples.

WALLET WATCH The spa’s price-point is rather modest: Facials start at €30 (£22), and an hour-long massage will set you back just €35, going up to €50 if you book an appointment with the head masseuse. Their signature luxury manicure lasts an hour and is €25, though you can get a quickie polish-job for €15. Yoga is also available privately (€50) or in a group up to 6 (€90). Stays begin at £115pp per night.

happy fridge...

now that is what i call a happy fridge. Veuve Clicquot champagne, Cristal Champagne, and home made chocolates.....mmmmm

finishing touches still finishing...

If you have ever fancied putting gold leaf on your ceiling, just ask Pauline for a little advice - you may need to set aside a few weeks to do the job. The quick suggestion from Peter (the interior designer) that we might like to gold leaf the private dining room (AND the tea room by the pool) seemed such a nice idea at the time. Pauline now feels like Peter should do the other ceiling himself, as a punishment !

Those of you that have been bored to death by my ranting about pool ladders, spouts, etc can now stop avoiding me. After just 7 short months, we have our pool ladder. I still can't see why 5 steps & 2 long poles are such a problem, but amazingly we finally have a pool in place. (Obviously, this being Morocco, they managed to smash the pool light whilst fitting the ladder meaning all the lights kept fusing & the pool had to be drained, light repaired, and pool refilled). Anybody that has renovated in Morocco will understand the deep joy that the arrival of a long awaited doorknob, window catch, tap, etc can cause - we did manage a small whoop when the ladder arrived !

Pathetic...how old am i ?

I know...why do cacti bring out the 7 year old in me...? We were out choosing plants for the riad and we saw this before & after pair of plants.

Website ready !!

The website is now finally up and running (well 99.9% ready). Have a look on www.maisonmk.com  - if you've looked at it before, you may need to refresh the page to get rid of the old holding page.

Any comments, please let me know.

Food and Travel Magazine Article

Morocco's glamorous party capital, Marrakech, is known for its busy souks and the bustling Djemma el-Fna marketplace, where fire-eaters, snake charmers and orange sellers gather each night. However, the streets of the pink medina hide other treasures, including beautiful madrassas and charming riads. Sought after for their cool, tiled courtyards, fashion photographers Paul and Aoibheann Hopkins have recently transformed one of these traditional houses into a boutique hotel. Maison MK offers a sophisticated haven of serenity, with curved walls, clean lines and high-tech gadgets, yet it manages to retain plenty of Moroccan charm.
The six suites are decked out with handmade beds, silk chiffon artwork and deep cast iron roll-top baths. There's also a state-of-the-art screening room, luxurious spa and a fantastic rooftop patio, perfect for surveying the view whilst enjoying breakfast or dinner. The cuisine is a fusion of French and Moroccan influences, with traditional tagines and pancakes on the menu. Enjoy mint tea and a slice of freshly baked cake in the patio's tented area, or treat yourself to a barbeque whilst admiring Marrakech's pink square roofs and the stunning Atlas Mountains stretching along the horizon. (www.maisonmk.com)

sample food menu

Jallel  has been putting together sample menus for the 7 course evening meals at maison mk. Here is one of them... tested on a variety of people including....

"aargh, that prawn's got eyes & they're looking at me !",

and  "what the heck is a Moroccan balaclava ?",

and  "mmmmmmmm !"

Sautéed langoustine with garlic butter and  Pernod sauce

Duet of lamb and chicken brochette

Seared tuna marinated in lemon grass, chilli and olive oil

Confit de canard with thyme marmalade

Mojito sorbet

Clementine crème caramel

Coffee with home made Moroccan baklawa

Article in the Guardian

            

Riad it and weep

    This article appeared in the Guardian     on Saturday March 08 2008  on p5 of the Travel features section. It was last updated at 00:03 on March 08 2008.

 

Maison MK riad in Marrakech

The name may suggest it's a patisserie in Milton Keynes, but in fact, Maison MK is the latest opulent riad hotel to open in Marrakech. Slouching on piles of silk cushions on a roof terrace overlooking the steamy city square may feel like a bit of a travel cliche, but this sophisticated conversion, completed with the help of interior designers and lighting consultants, does the sultry, decadent look to perfection. There's an Arabic tent area, banquette seating encircles the pool, and the six suites feature organza draped beds on raised plinths.

·   From £115pp per night, 01428 682 262, maisonmk.com

   

website finally nearing completion

   

My latest visit last week was to shoot the pictures for the website. You can see them all piled up on sample photos 
Kam, the web guru is putting the final website together this week so we should be live very very soon.
Three days of finally finishing bits of the hotel & also shooting a huge variety of images mean that these are not the final shots forever, but they are a great start & i'm really pleased with them. Do enjoy....

maison mk wig service

Jallel trying on the latest offering from the house of maison mk - custom designed wigs in our corporate colours. As seen in Milan during fashion week 2008...

Latest photos

Took a quick snap of the bathroom once the new lighting was installed - so much better and more dramatic.

Balcony lighting also looking good

Now this is supposed to be the winding mechanism for our dumb waiter up to the roof ! Our so-called experts admitted afterwards that this was probably not their area of expertise - it looks more like a comedy prop from a pantomime !

A few kitchen shots - starting to look like a commercial kitchen...

Great review - Condé Nast Traveller

Feb 2008 Issue of Condé Nast Traveller we had two pictures & the following review...

"New-wave hoteliers are mixing the traditional and the modern in Morocco.
        There's a new breed of hotelier in Morocco, among them Paul Hopkins, owner of maison mk, an old riad in Marrakech's medina. 'We've created something cool and interesting' he says. "maison mk is 80 per cent Western yet curvy & sensual, so its still exotic and romantic - like Marrakech'. The perfectionist former fashion photographer focused on details. 'We had designer tebags before we had walls, the toiletries are from  a niche supplier in Paris and the hangers from Marseille.' Guests in each of the six suites are allocated a mobile phone full of useful local numbers. "

Christmas visit

Well we spent Boxing Day until New Years Eve in the riad as the first guests. A few small issues with the water supply - first day, no hot water at all. Second day, no cold water at all, so still no shower. Third day, hot and cold water in the taps so it was shower time! Sadly, Alana flushed the toilet and out came steaming hot water....oh well...that's what you call luxury i guess.

Weather was gorgeous & sunny & warm - no floods, no snow, no rain...just like England !

Merry Christmas... (and a Happy Eid in Morocco)

Its now Christmas Eve 2007 so I'll wish you all a very merry Christmas & we will definitely be looking forward to an interesting 2008 !

Marrakech images

Our gas bottles arriving by donkey... the only way to do it

Me looking ravishing & gorgeous - who says the British have no style !!

We will build it ourselves...

The glass shows what happens when you try to change the shape of huge toughened glass doors ! The rusty metal shows what happens if the builder forgets to rustproof the iron before he makes the railings!

So, here is the senior, management, executive, VIP team hard at work...

Yet another ...glossy Sunday Times Travel magazine

And again...this one i found whilst flicking through the magazine at the hairdressers! Nice surprise...

"Sex up your city break

If you'd rather cure urban fatigue by retreating to your room, there's good news from Barcelona & Marrakech.
In the latter, curved walls & specially commissioned paintings make for a super-sophicticated place to hole up at maison mk (with the bonus of the North African climate). Make the most of it with a dip in the round pool, hemmed by slinky banquettes or cosy up round the fire at night on the roof terrace. "

And another article...Sunday Times

Neofile section - sunday travel magazine 

"Marrakech's sensory overload can make anyone feel disorientated, but there'll be no let up in the weirdness at maison mk (www.maisonmk.com), a riad opening on Jan 1. It's owner, photographer Paul Hopkins, has gone for an 'organic' design - walls curve into floors and ceilings, and the pool grows out of the ground. If it gets a bit much, retreat to the spa for its signature massage...in complete darkness. Come to think of it, that might make things worse."

Bit of a strange one this, but they say all publicity is good publicity...so lets just put it down to a slightly strange journalistic style of writing...

Another article... Tatler

More good news - we are in the January Tatler magazine. In the "101 best hotels , coming soon" section...

"It's all go in Marrakech...new riad maison mk will have six smooth suites with curvy walls..."

Magazine article... Condé Nast Traveller

Thanks to Anita & Caroline at SWM (our PR agency), it looks like we have a good article in the biggest travel magazine in the UK in January, Conde Nast Traveller. Unfortunately the deadline for images has been incredibly tight & I have just finished shooting some of them, even though we are still finishing off the riad as fast as we can. You can see them on http://www.maisonmk.com/pictures . However, here are three of them...

The family grows again...

We have now hired our under-manager, a French lady called Pauline.

Between Pauline & Jallel, we can have really strong management of the riad all day long, every day. Both of them speak fluent English (well Scottish if you are talking about Jallel) & both of them really understand how to look after the clients. I am really pleased to have Pauline at maison mk & all we need to find now are the 5 waiters / barmen / meeters & greeters, 2 chefs, masseuse, overnight guardian, chauffeur, etc, etc!

Final phase...

So, in theory we are in the final phase now. Paint going on, lights lit, upholstery arriving, mattresses made, sheets being logo'd, etc, etc.

ever have I seen such a a scene of chaos & frustration in my life ! Still, its all part of the rich experience that is the construction of a riad in Marrakech & every riad owner has gone through this trying & testing final phase.

Some emerge unscathed at the other end, others retire battered & bruised to sit in the corner rocking backwards & forwards whilst dribbling gently!

...health & safety...pah !

...kitchen fabrication / fireworks.

...Jallel recovering from a little concrete cutting happening down in the patio around the pool

...Jallel & I mastering the complexities of hotel bed linen.

...typical discussion, this time over the electricity bills...

Branding & design

      Some of the work that we have been doing with Sophie...

  ...business cards

  ...letterheads & notepads for the bedrooms

  ...ribbons

  ...embroidery on pillows.

Moodboards

We have put together two moodboards showing curtain materials, upholstery fabrics, pool tiles, etc

... ground floor picture, pool tiles, upholstery fabrics, & floaty curtain voilles

  ... fabrics in the bedrooms. Each room has 3 main fabrics for bed throws, banquettes, and floaty silk voilles behind doors.

Great progress...

...guess who's got windows & doors now !

...tiles going in, tadelakt starting on walls...

  ...edge of pool - you have no idea what a trial this has been, but now its looking stunning (maybe not the sludge inside the pool, however...)

...roof terrace banquettes getting all curvy....

Just before Ramadan...

Ramadan starts in two days with a month of fasting during the day - no food and no water for 12 hours ! 

To say thankyou to the workers at the riad, we arranged for two whole lambs to be roasted & given to them for lunch. It took about 30 minutes for everything to be devoured !

This is the workers table.

and this is the management dining room !

The tiling man has now reached the ground floor so the house continues to look more & more sophisticated (however my trousers are still getting covered in concrete !)

Discussion on the complex matter of pool tiles - how many people can it actually       take to solve this problem ....here are 9 for a start...

Dining room vanishes...

Last seen at home in England.... one dining room, one entrance hall, one lounge, and one garden. 

Current location of these rooms is unknown, but believed to be under the hundreds of boxes waiting for the 40 foot container to come in 10 days time.

Branding, PR, Marketing, Optimisation, Website

The team grows again.....   

We have now put together the team that will tell the world about the riad.   

Sophie Anderson of The Gingerbread Lady will be working on the branding, identity, logos, and brochure design. 

Anita Lewis and Caroline Rowland of Small World Marketing will be in charge of PR, sales and marketing to the trade & the public.

Leapfrogg are specialists in optimising websites so that we feature well in Google, etc

Kam Sanghera of 72 Dots Per Inch will be producing a website that can replace this blog with something much better & more professional.   

Visit to Casablanca

Moving onto the fun phase of the project. 

We went to Casablanca to look at fabrics for all the upholstery, curtains, hanging silks, cushions, etc. Some really interesting & fun materials, so a very exciting day. The interior designers are currently putting together a mood board so that we can look at the whole colour scheme.   

Paint colours also chosen, but Morocco seems to have a different set of paint colours so a bit of juggling required to get the correct colours.

A wee little lunch break by the sea in Casablanca !

The team (Left to right Peter and Keith - interior designers, and Jallel - manager) ready for action...

sometimes we need to design by moonlight - not enough hours in the day....

Inside, outside

New railings preventing workers falling down 50 foot hole. If we had a health and safety person, he would be very happy !

Outside we have selected the latest titanium carbon-fibre scaffolding - strong and yet supple, with a curious vintage feel....

Hotel manager hired !

We have now hired our manager for the hotel. A fantastic find for us - he is called Jallel Tabet & is dual nationality British & Algerian. He is fluent in Arabic, French & English (but with a Scottish accent!) 

He has the perfect background for us - a qualified head chef, has owned and run two great restaurants in the UK, and has run his own boutique hotel. 

Just as importantly, he has the perfect character & temperament to manage the riad - he is personable & laid back, but has great attention to detail & the desire to make the guests' visits maison mk fabulous. 

He will be heading out to Marrakech permanently from 8th July to personally supervise the finishing of the hotel & to prepare maison mk for the arrival of the first guests as we soft open at the end of this year.   

Poor Jallel has just been introduced to my 61 page 'things to do' list - a little someting to read in his spare time !

Aoibheann finally gets to the riad again...

Proof that Aoibheann finally gets to leave her studio & come out to play in Marrakech !

Other bits & bobs...

  this is a mobile phone mast , Arabic style ! (made of concrete & plastic )

the boys rip up the wobbly patio that they just laid & try again ....

many big TV dishes in Marrakech - some people make do with an old saucepan lid !

we now have a big lid on top of our little bhou (the private seating area opposite the pool )

Plastering

Plaster cornice in creation... all made on site, including plasterboard sheets.

Plasterers hi-fi...

Who knows what they use this for ????

One of the bedrooms during initial plastering.

Hallejulah... something other than concrete !

A ceiling has been finished in plaster....curves....always curves.....

Roof tiles started being laid. Looks like the colour scheme is going to move away from two-tone grey (wet cement or dry cement) !

Silly things...April 2007

Typical, you wait all day for a donkey.... and then three come all at once !

What's behind the door ? Is this the wondrous place that they call maisonMK ??? Let us see the bejewelled beauty within....

The tar boiler for the waterproofing. Yet another Moroccan building solution that costs exactly 0.00 euros !