Our family & other animals
In 2002, Dawn & Francis Boys-Stones bought an un-renovated riad in the medina of Marrakech, on a total whim, after a 7-day holiday, as a potential second home. It was in 2005 that Francis decided, after 25 years of stockbroking in the City, and a rush of blood to the brain, that he’d had enough…it was time for an adventure! They upped sticks from leafy Wandsworth and moved out to Marrakech, and the riad, which Dawn transformed beautifully into a light and airy oasis became their home, called Riad Fawakay.
At the end of 2006, the Boys-Stones moved out of the Medina and began letting it as a fully-catered house.
Meanwhile, Dawn and Francis bought 3.5 acres of land, about 8 miles outside of the Medina in the Moroccan countryside with breathtaking winter views of the snow-capped Atlas mountains. After 2.5 frantic years of building, (and Francis going balder by the week), Villas Fawakay, which was originally due to take 18 months to complete, is finally open for business. We thought the day would never come!
The Boys-Stones live in the grounds with their 4 children, 2 dogs, 3 cats, numerous guinea fowl and chickens, and a couple of peacocks, Frank & Stein! They take a very hands-on approach to the running of their little empire. Dawn has painstakingly designed all the villas, and her photos of Moroccan life adorn many of the villa walls. Francis has, however, been extremely useful in the cheque-writing department!
A real labour of love, the three villas are designed for you to be as private or as social as you wish. There are so many private features within each villa, you need never see another living soul for the length of your stay, or you could help Francis prop up the bar of an evening…the choice, as they say, is yours!
Why don’t you come and give the Moroccan dream a try with us?