When our friends Sophia and Birjis mentioned they were interested in visiting Morocco last September, I didn’t hesitate—I immediately said we’re in and volunteered to help plan the trip. I’ll admit, I had an ulterior motive. While Marrakesh, Fez and the desert were all places we'd agreed we would travel to, my main reason for wanting to return to Morocco was to revisit Tangier—where Stephan and I had been 20 years ago with our then four young children—and stay at the newly opened Villa Mabrouka. Formerly the home of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, I had read that the property was recently and lovingly transformed into a stunning 12-room hotel by British designer Jasper Conran (son of the late, great Sir Terence Conran of The Conran Shop fame). I spent countless hours working and reworking our itinerary to ensure all 10 of us could stay at Villa Mabrouka, and it was worth every moment of my time.
The glamorous 1940s house, accented with modern Moorish touches, has been meticulously restored and embodies a sense of utter simplicity and effortless style. Perched high above the Strait of Gibraltar—where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic—it offers breathtaking views of the sea and is nestled within lush, enchanting gardens with sweeping lawns, towering palms, citrus trees, bougainvillea, begonias and more. Though just minutes from the bustling Kasbah, stepping through Villa Mabrouka’s dark green arched doors transports you into a sanctuary of tranquility where the gentle sounds of trickling fountains and birdsong are among the only ones you hear.
Each room, with whitewashed walls, large Tuareg mats (made to resemble the originals owned by YSL) and a single accent color such as warm gold or rich green, is tasteful, inviting and totally understated.
Before venturing out to explore Tangier and the surrounding area—including the charming town of Asilah—we wandered along the hotel’s meandering paths and discovered one carefully curated vignette after another, perfect for private dining, quiet naps, or losing oneself in a book. As we arrived at the stunning pool that was carved into the clifftop rock and surrounded by bright green chairs and umbrellas, we were tempted to cancel our car and driver and spend the entire afternoon soaking up the Moroccan sun at Mabrouka.
On our last day, as Stephan and I lay on the lounge chairs on the emerald lawn—mesmerized by the glistening waters peeking through the trees and the sweet scent of blooming flora—we were dreaming of a return visit to Villa Mabrouka. We love a hotel that feels like a home, and that’s exactly what Conran has achieved with his latest Moroccan hotel project.
If you are heading to Morocco or Spain (it’s just a one-hour ferry from Tarifa, Spain to Tangier or a two-hour direct flight from several Spanish cities), I highly recommend adding Villa Mabrouka to your itinerary. It’s an absolute gem.
It might be time we add Morocco to our list of borders!
