Women only luxury spa retreat in Marrakech, Morocco
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We are currently installing solar energy for the heating of all water in the bathrooms, kitchens and swimming pool. We caution every guest to turn off the lights in their rooms and to use the air-conditioning in the rooms sparingly, we use fireplaces everywhere to avoid using our central heating and provide woollen robes and slippers for all guests as well as water bottles in the winter to stay warm and reduce the use of extra heating.
We have several basins in the gardens to collect rain water and use an elaborate ancient tradition of "seguias" to distribute the water. We have installed special cisterns to filter all bath, toilet, sink and pool water via a special coal filtering procedure for re-cycling grey water purposes. We only change sheets 1 time per week (with guests' approval) and hang towels and sheets to dry in the sun instead of using the dryer whenever we can. We have an organic vegetable and herb garden, use the pits of our own olives on the grounds to keep water from evaporating during the hot summer months and absolutely never use pesticides but only natural fertilizers.
We cultivate only 3 of the 10 hectares and the rest is left to grow on its own in between the palm trees. We do have two ponds and use the water for irrigation. We compost both organic and garden waste, and we use our own cut grass to spread around our olive trees, again to fight evaporation during the hot season. We have different recycling bins and scrupulously separate and re-use plastic, glass and paper waste and encourage guests to do the same.
We avoid using plastic bottles and filter our own water which we put in glass bottles for our guests, to be re-filled and re-used every day. We try to use as little paper as possible and use recycled stationary, we have bikes for the use of clients to get around on instead of cars. Our nutritionist is very keen on talking to the guests about organic eating habits and the organic growing of fruits and vegetables and gives advise on how to live a healthier, more environmentally friendly life.
Community
Our team is incredibly committed on giving back to the local community. Before launching this all womens retreat, founder Sandra Zwollo - who has lived and worked in Marrakech for over 15 years and used to own a restaurant and second-hand bookstore in the city - has established a relationship with the local orphanage, Dar Tifl through the foundation the owners of the Harem estate have established in 2003 and which is called: www.fondationfourtou.org
Dar Tifl is a home for orphans between 6 and 18 years of age. Most of the younger girls get adopted into Moroccan families to help out with household tasks in exchange for food and shelter but sadly some are still dependent on the orphanage for their daily survival and it is for these girls especially that we have created a special fund. We help set them up in their own little modestly furnished apartments, so they have a chance of being independent and we help set them on the path towards a career and hopefully a family of their own one day.
80% of net profits are donated to this special fund providing these young women with the means to finish their education and hopefully embark on a professional career. By going on this retreat, clients are able to personally contribute to their future. Our local team, (two of whom are orphans), as well as the nutritionist and the therapists, all have the same work ethic, that of giving back and living in the most environmentally conscious way.
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