Dar El Sadaka Marrakech

A former fortified farm, Dar El Sadaka has undergone various metamorphoses under the aegis of French visual artist Jean-François Fourtou who took up residence there in 2000, evolving through the continuous development of his work.

Sadaka means ‘the one who seeks’ in Sanskrit and ‘house of friendship’ in Arabic, two definitions that are in harmony with his philosophy.

The villa was initially a residence for artists, then the headquarters of a humanitarian foundation helping women and children in precarious living conditions in the region of Marrakech. Dar El Sadaka also hosted meditation retreats.

In collaboration with interior designer Philippe Forrestier, the villa was transformed into a guesthouse, a haven of luxury and comfort that is both unique and fantastic.

Disturbingly realistic yet friendly animal sculptures, created on different scales, are dotted throughout Dar El Sadaka. Outside guests are welcomed by a giant sheep standing beside the swimming pool. Orangutans are perched on the living room lamps and a larger than life-size giraffe leans over the dining room table.

In the sculpture park, unusual monumental installations offer visitors a unique experimental journey that escapes the ordered, tidy adult world: a mud house in ruins turned into an enormous ‘Ant-Nest’, a house upside down ‘Fallen from the Sky’ where the floors, ceilings and walls all lean, ‘Nanitos’ small gardeners with pumpkin heads, and ‘The Giant’s House’ where everything is out of proportion.

Human beings are their own homes and to be happy, peace and harmony must reign within them. Based on these principles, Jean-François Fourtou and Philippe Forrestier have completely redesigned the villa’s spaces.

Each room is a creation that explores the theme of an animal sculpture, where earthen architecture, traditional materials, sleek furniture and local craftsmanship come together.

“Dar El Sadaka is a truly unique and magical domain, where everything is taken care of to ensure a feeling of well-being and comfort. My sculptures fill the spaces in unusual ways, distorting our relationship with time and space. In this enchanted yet refined universe, the mind is liberated, enabling one to fully enjoy the present moment and experience an unforgettable stay with family and friends.” (Jean-François Fourtou)

SUITES & BEDROOMS
Seven suites and two en-suite bedrooms are distributed around Dar El Sadaka’s mimosa-covered courtyard.

Giraffes Suite, Dog Suite, Tortoises Suite, Donkey Suite, Geese Suite, Camels Suite, Ant Junior Suite, Bee Bedroom, Snails Bedroom… Each is a cocoon of harmony in natural hues, individually designed and fragranced.

Dar El Sadaka can host up to twenty guests at one time. Four suites have a super-king-size bed that can be made into twins and two other suites have an annexe with an extra single bed. Kindly note our villa is rented out on an exclusive use basis only, rooms cannot be booked individually.

Geese Suite
“I created the geese in 1998 in my studio in Madrid, a women’s jail during the Spanish Inquisition with its walled prison cells and its patio in despair” (Jean-François Fourtou)

The Geese Suite is located on the ground floor. Its lounge area with a fireplace leads out onto a large private terrace. It has a dressing room and a bathroom with a round plunge bath for two.

Giraffes Suite
“In 1998 I was living in Madrid. I was regularly going to the zoo to watch the giraffes, with my motorbike, a Kawasaki Zephyr 550, and my 1-meter long, unfinished, papier-mâché sculpture, hidden under my jacket” (Jean-François Fourtou)

The only second floor suite, the Giraffes Suite is hanging over the olive grove. From its sitting room, it offers stunning views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains during the winter. The suite’s romantic décor includes enchanting oriental lighting and an outdoor freestanding bathtub to relax under the stars.

Camels Suite
“In January 2000, when I moved to Dar El Sadaka, one of my first purchases was a female camel named Saida. She became a model for this sculpture” (Jean-François Fourtou)

The Camels Suite is located on the first floor. A huge fireplace and a large skylight are some of the most remarkable elements of the suite’s decor. It has a bathroom with a round plunge bath for two leading onto an annex with a study desk and a day bed. From its private terrace guests can access the rooftops of the villa.

Eat & Celebrate
DELICATE ORGANIC GASTRONOMY
For Dar El Sadaka, chef Madame Hasna composes authentic, creative and delicate cuisine every day. All meals are made with fresh produce, always organic. The cuisine is Moroccan and international. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, kosher and detox menus are also available.

The discreet staff are attentive to every detail and cultivate a convivial atmosphere. The Moroccan tradition of hospitality reigns at Dar El Sadaka, adding to the charm of this exceptional villa.

Kindly note Dar El Sadaka is not a restaurant and dining at the villa is for in-house guests only. Jams are home-made, honey is harvested on site and Dar El Sadaka produces its own extra virgin olive oil.

Vegetables and aromatic herbs come from the garden, small local producers and organic markets. Seafood is sourced from carefully selected fishermen on the coast at Oualidia and Dakhla.

Meat and poultry are supplied by an independent butcher who rears his animals on a nearby farm.

DAILY DINING
Depending on the season, our guests may enjoy their breakfasts, lunches and dinners in our mimosa-covered courtyard, on the terrace with the black donkey, in the shade under our green pergola or in the dining room with Solange our monumental giraffe.

You may choose to start your day with a rich brunch buffet by the swimming pool or try our signature BBQ, with only skewers from starter to dessert. Our menus vary according to the season and our food preparations change every day.

According to family tradition, we kindly ask our guests to choose a set menu for their entire table for each meal. There is no in-room service and our kitchen is closed at night.

Kindly note that access to our professional kitchen is for staff only. Guests are not allowed to cook by themselves at the villa nor to hire their own chef.

SIGNATURE FESTIVE MEALS
Dar El Sadaka offers a multitude of extraordinary backdrops to stage timelessly magical moments.

Imagine the sumptuous Moroccan atmosphere of feasting in the Caïdal tent, the indescribable romanticism of dining under a tree adorned with a thousand-and-one candles, star gazing and indulging with gourmet cuisine on the astronomical terrace, or even a nostalgic sense of childhood with a meal around the table d’hôtes at ‘The Giant’s House’.

We offer various entertainment options at the villa to enliven your evenings. Imagine the charm of exotic dancers, the magic of fire jugglers and the poetry of an equestrian art show.

Exhilarate your senses with tailor-made cocktails created by a mixologist in a festive atmosphere with traditional music, or even dance the night away with your private DJ.

Relax
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
The Dar El Sadaka 25-acre secluded estate is designed to give guests complete privacy and freedom. Engulfed by lush vegetation and guarded 24/7, it’s an ideal setting to unwind, let go and bask in nature.

The villa is equipped with air conditioning and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, a satellite TV in the library and a cinema room. There is a shaded dining terrace and a spacious traditional Caïdal tent.

There is also a gym, a traditional hammam, a spa treatment room, and a huge heptagonal outdoor pool with day beds and squishy sofas in the shade. Other exterior amenities include a tennis court, a ping-pong table, a bowls pitch and swings for children.

During their stay, guests can wander around the organic vegetable garden, the olive grove, the maze and the sculpture park.

VILLA INTERIORS

• 600m2 fully air-conditioned
• High-speed Wi-Fi & Bluetooth soundbar
• Living room & dining room with fireplaces, library with satellite TV
• Home cinema room / meeting room
• Traditional hammam & spa treatment room
• Professional kitchen (staff only access)
• Not adapted for people with disabilities
• Monkey-Lamps
• Poolside
• Ping-Pong

OUTDOOR AMENITIES

• Mimosa-covered courtyard
• Green pergola
• Spacious traditional Caïdal tent
• Rooftop
• Squishy sofas under olive trees
• Giant hammock under palm trees
• 170m2 heptagonal swimming pool
• Tennis court
• Ping-pong table
• French bowls court
• Fitness equipment
• Private running track
• Swings for children
• Tennis Courts

GROUNDS

• Organic vegetable & herb garden
• Olive grove
• Palm grove
• Olive hedge maze
• Sculpture park with monumental art installations by French visual artist Jean-François Fourtou
• Covered car park for up to 8 vehicles
• 25 acres fully-fenced property

DON’T WORRY ABOUT A THING
Dar El Sadaka provides exceptional hospitality and services. It offers private transportation with English-speaking drivers, a house chef and house staff, daily housekeeping and turndown service, massages, body and beauty treatments, tennis, yoga and Tai Chi classes, babysitting and a concierge service.

Because each traveller is unique, Dar El Sadaka designs customised off-site activities according to guests’ preferences: insightful guided sightseeing tours in the Ochre City, unusual outings in the Palmeraie on-board neo-retro sidecars or driving classic cars, scenic hot air balloon flights, authentic experiences in the Agafay mineral desert or even adventures in the fertile valleys of the High Atlas Mountains in marvellous comfort.

Website: www.darelsadaka.com

Rooms: 9

Price: from 374 EUR per night