Mike and Kate, the owners of Villa 9, give us some insight into their decision to invest in L’Amandier

What is your profession? Mining company executive

Where is home for you? Kent

Have you bought property overseas before and if so where? Loire-Atlantique, France

What made you decide to buy in Morocco? We don’t like the length and the coldness of the  winters in the UK and noticed that Marrakech is the place closest to the UK where the daytime temperature does not drop below 15 degrees during mid-winter (the Mediterranean resorts are very cold in winter!) and, although cool sometimes, is generally sunny. We don’t want to go to Florida or SA, etc. because we have children in the UK, and it’s easy to get to and from quickly.

Did you visit the site before making the decision to buy? No, but we researched the area. I have been to Morocco previously.

What particularly appealed to you about L’Amandier… what makes it so special? Firstly it is in a very attractive location. The price you pay for winter warmth anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere is a dry countryside, by definition; the point about the Ouirgane region of the Atlas foothills is that there is a relatively verdant quality about it. Although less than an hour from Marrakech and the airport, souks, facilities, etc. it is a million miles away in terms of peacefulness from that busy city. We like the fact that L’Amandier is elevated and has wonderful views; that it is being developed in an environmentally sensitive fashion and that emphasis is being placed on the gardens. None of the villas are ostentatious. We like the simplicity of the architecture (low maintenance!) and very importantly because of the security of the site, one can lock up and leave the place with a sense of complete security, but can have someone in to clean and look after the pool, garden etc. We enjoy tennis and like the fact that there are courts. In the vicinity there are some great restaurants and hotels. There is a large lake nearby and also walking and riding trails – and even a ski resort not far away! There is a good water supply, too.

Did you have any concerns before making the purchase? If so, how were these overcome? We asked many detailed questions and these were answered very fully.

How did you find the buying process? Very positive, friendly and unpressurised.

How has your experience of MHK’s service been to date? Very positive. Among other things, we like the fact that they seem to be very keen to realise the L’Amandier vision at its best in every detail.

How have you found the level of and progress on construction to date? Up to date, as promised, and overseen by MHK.

Do you intend to be part of the management and rental programme? We may well be and will find out more about it.

What are your plans for the future regarding the property? In the foreseeable future, to furnish it and then enjoy it! When we are there, we are really looking forward to relaxing in a lovely setting and exploring the surrounding area.

“Although less than an hour from Marrakech and the airport, souks, facilities etc it is a million miles away in terms of peacefulness from that busy city.”

This time of year is perfect in Morocco. The summer heat has cooled to wonderfully warm temperatures throughout the day and slightly balmy evenings that perfectly suit lazy evenings on the terrace of a villa at the L’Amandier resort. With no time to take advantage of such luxuries however, our Managing Director, Anwar Harland-Khan has just returned from one of his regular high-energy visits to the site in Ouirgane, near Marrakech, delighted with the pace of progress and standard of finishing being achieved by the team on the ground in Morocco.

Work on the main area of the resort continues on schedule and the progress on-site is visible week by week. With most of the villas in this section already complete, we are hard at work on the remaining villas to ensure the entire area is complete by June 2012. The communal landscaping will start in earnest in January 2012 in readiness for planting in the spring. This will include the pool, the tennis court and the internal road connecting each villa within the resort.

The final phase of construction will begin in March of next year with a view to completing the entire L’Amandier resort in the New Year of 2013.

We are committed to achieving the very highest standard of finishing within the villas and our care and attention to detail were rewarded this month when we handed over the keys to the latest finished three-bed villa, bought by a financier in the City of London.

At L’Amandier we are very lucky to have Sidi Mohammed, our head groundsman and gardener with decades of experience of gardens in the local Ouirgane region. It’s a long term and tricky project turning a building site into beautiful gardens that complement the stunning surroundings, and provide shade and relaxing space for residents and guests. Sidi Mohammed, however, has the knowledge and the patience to do just that.

Both he and Said have been diligently creating and nurturing a seedling nursery on site since the beginning of 2010, to get a head start on the plants we require for the natural pomegranate garden fences, for example.

They currently have over 7000 seedlings and cuttings taken from plants already flourishing on site. Wild pomegranate, roses, bougainvillea and pine trees are all being cultivated in readiness for both the private and communal garden. The nursery, as well as the rest of the grounds and the vegetable garden, are looked after by Sidi Mohammed, Said, and a further two local gardeners.

The entire land has recently been ploughed as we begin the preparation of additional sections of the land for planting and the turned rich red earth is a beautiful sight to see.