THERE can be few places in the world where old meets new with such charming results. Visitors passing through the heart of Marrakesh, the Jemaa el-Fna square, couldn’t fail to marvel at its size and sheer atmosphere as snake charmers complete with cobras vie for attention with dancing monkeys and dentists.

Described by Winston Churchill as “the most lovely spot in the world”, the city has long held a fascination for a certain British set. The Rolling Stones were frequent visitors, and, among its winding medieval streets, legendary hotels such as La Mamounia have been joined by renovated riads, swanky restaurants and hot nightspots such as Pacha, catering for the growing numbers of visitors now flocking here.

Visitor figures are up and, spearheaded by the young monarch, King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan Government is keen to harness the current interest and has launched an investment programme to make the country even more attractive to investors. Savills has just launched a range of new developments here; Tony Roberts, its associate, who owns homes in Tangier and Marrakesh, is glad to see the country finally shake off its somewhat seedy reputation: “The idea that blondes are kidnapped and swapped for camels is a total urban myth. Marrakesh is a safe and increasingly attractive destination and a wonderful place to live.”

Flying into the city gives an insight into its growing popularity as you experience first-hand the sprawl of cranes and concrete mixers creeping ever farther into the desert. The city may currently be undergoing a building boom, but you don’t have to go far to find more peaceful spots. Savills is selling homes at the Samanah Country Club, a private golfing development of 600 villas just eight miles from the airport, where prices start from £231,200. Fifteen minutes from the centre of Marrakesh, Assoufid is another large new development set in 220 hectares of desert where buyers will have access to an 18-hole golf course, five-star hotel and spa and sweeping views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains across an undulating landscape.

Traditionally, fortified mountain villages were built in clusters, and Assoufid’s 80 homes will also be set within ksours (Berber stone villages) of six villas, but with contemporary design features such as large, sliding windows and optional tennis courts in their ample plots. With starting prices of £700,000 and no upper limit, the developer is seeing interest from “active city people”, many of whom own several homes around the world. Its president, Paul-Eric Jarry, says that prices here, at about € 500 (£336) a square metre, are around half of comparable developments in Sotogrande in Spain and have other advantages. “Here you can expect a far higher standard of living, enjoy greater individual freedom and feel completely safe, as there is no violent crime in Marrakesh.”

Safety and freedom were factors which first drew Camilla and Miles Sandys to Marrakesh. They live in the Lake District and have bought a new, seven-bedroom holiday house at Domaine Dar Chimicha, a 12-acre development 13 miles south of the city. Set in a walled garden, the house has its own pool, garden pavilion for staff and views of the Atlas Mountains. Camilla says: “In Europe everything is so samey, you could be anywhere, but here you really feel that you are somewhere completely different. We love trying unusual destinations, but I don’t think we’ll ever get bored here.”

With five children aged from 14 to 26, the Sandys look forward to exploring the coast and mountains, both within an hour and a half’s drive. Camilla says: “There’s so much to do — surfing on the coast, skiing in the mountains, walking, and then there are all the attractions in town. I love the fact you can spend all day in the bustling medina and then escape to your house for dinner on your own peaceful terrace.”

The Sandys paid £475,000 for their house and were impressed by the quality. Camilla says: “We build a lot in the UK, and could see that the quality here was incredible. Everything has been done perfectly by local craftspeople. We intend to source everything locally. Not a single thing in the house will be European, and as the weather is marvellous it will be great for our aching bones as we grow older.”

Renowned as a winter sun destination, Marrakesh’s latitude is similar to California’s and swimming is usually possible throughout the year with temperatures at around 24C (75C). Like California, this is also a place where you can swim in the morning and ski in the afternoon, at Oukaimeden in the Atlas Mountains, just 50 minutes’ drive from the city. At 3,250 metres (9,800 ft) above sea level, the resort is guaranteed good snow coverage, but Emaar, one of the world’s largest developers, is spearheading expansion plans to improve it and turn it into Africa’s only ski and golf resort.

Thanks to the late King Hassan II, who died in 1999 and who was passionate about the sport, golf is a national pastime here, but buying in Marrakesh doesn’t have to mean living on a golfing development. Many Brits have snapped up traditional riads in the medina walls and are restoring them to their original beauty. Francophiles has a range of riads, unrenovated and restored, with prices starting from just over £100,000. A beautifully restored, three-bedroom, three-bathroom house in the heart of the medina is being sold fully furnished and ready to move into. It could be yours for about £212,400, plus legal costs.

Homes at the Samanah Country Club, Assoufid and Domaine Dar Chimicha are for sale through Savills International: 020-7016 3740, www.savills.co.uk Francophiles: 01622 688165, www.francophiles.co.uk

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