What was once the secluded holiday home of fashion icons Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé is now Villa Mabrouka, a luxurious 12-room boutique hotel in Tangier, Morocco. The former retreat was reimagined by the acclaimed British designer Jasper Conran, opening its doors in June 2023.
The story is simple: After unveiling L’Hôtel Marrakech in 2016, a historic 19th-century riad with five suites, Conran began dreaming of a new project. It wasn’t until three years later when a quest to Tangier in search of a tent for guest excursions at L’Hotel led him to Villa Mabrouka. After hearing from his antique dealer that the estate was up for sale, he purchased the property and began reimagining his second hotel.
After four years of transforming the space, Conran’s new design marries the villa’s storied past with his contemporary taste. Inspired by the villa’s 1940s modernist architecture, Conran was able to make the hotel and gardens feel like a cozy – yet still impeccably elegant – home.
Speaking of the rooms and suites, which are generously proportioned, there are 12 to choose from. The Marrakech suite, once the master bedroom of the villa, features green ceilings, warm yellow accents, and a large private terrace. The Meknes room, located in the main residence, has stunning Arabesque architectural features, high ceilings, and a marble bathroom. Additionally, all of the other rooms are just as luxe, each complete with its own special touches.
As for the estate itself, it’s located only minutes from Tangier’s bustling Kasbah and Medina. Big, sweeping lawns, expansive, lush gardens, and incredible views of the Strait of Gibraltar and the North Atlantic are just a few features that make this property unparalleled. There are also two pools (one that’s carved into the clifftop’s rocks and a smaller plunge pool), three dining venues, and a plethora of gorgeous vegetation, including banana palms, ferns, bamboo, citrus trees, hollyhocks, nasturtiums, roses, bougainvillea, and agapanthus.
From its rich history to its recent transformation, every aspect of Villa Mabrouka is a dream. Here, guests are truly transported to paradise.
