Marrakech Unveiled
Marrakech’s warm ochre hues, deep blue sky, and palm-fringed skyline always manage to cast a spell. Unlike the glitz of Dubai or the polished beauty of Oman, Marrakech exudes an effortless charm—unpretentious, raw, and welcoming. This authenticity, paired with the echo of the Imam’s call to prayer and the constant hum of daily life, has long made it a magnet for creatives.
The Yves Room
In the 1960s, Marrakech became the ultimate indulgent retreat for icons like Yves Saint Laurent, Andy Warhol and Mick Jagger. With a lack of bars, the city’s elite gathered in opulent homes, designed by American interior designer Bill Willis. Known for his flamboyant, mosaic-filled creations, Willis was a character in his own right, dabbling in the era’s counterculture while crafting some of the most iconic interiors in the city. His legacy of vibrant, decadent design lives on in Marrakech’s modern architecture, inspiring a new generation of creatives.
Our visit this time centred on the IZZA Hotel, a welcome addition to the city’s luxury scene. Nestled within the Medina walls, this boutique property, opened in 2023 by Neon Adventures, is a sanctuary rather than a party hotspot.
Spanning seven riads, the hotel is an homage to the stars of Marrakech’s golden age with each of the fourteen rooms named after one of the celebrities who embraced Marrakesh’s hedonistic lifestyle in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. From Jack Kerouac to Marianne Faithful, Grace Jones to Cecil Beaton, each boudoir is a nod to their personality – for example, the iconic Yves boasts a huge corner sofa, vintage desk, large bathtub completed with a Juliet balcony overlooking the magnificent pool; whilst the IZZA room, based on the original owner, showcases classic Berber design represented in an impressive staggered staircase leading to the mezzanine level and full-size kitchenette.
Art by Sebastiao Salgado
The multi-million-pound art collection at IZZA has been thoughtfully curated and sourced from a variety of partners from contemporary platforms like fellowship.xyz, a leading digital art gallery and the prominent NFT collector Studio137, as well as the private collection of IZZA’s founders. The collection spans genres—from Sebastião Salgado’s gritty photography to Texan AI artist Tyler Hobbs’ algorithmic creations. The hypnotic video work of the family collective of artists Yatreda from Ethiopia is showcased across multiple screens, adding a digital edge to the hotel’s art offering.
The Bill Willis Bar
Art fills every corner of IZZA, even the bathrooms and gym feature captivating pieces, ensuring that creativity is omnipresent. The Bill Willis Bar, a tribute to the designer’s legacy, is filled with personal memorabilia, offering a nostalgic nod to his colourful life. The hotel’s ‘House of Friends’ atmosphere is a true reflection of Marrakech’s artistic history, blending luxury with deep cultural connections.
IZZA – Rates start from €200 (approx. £180) to €840 (approx. £720) per room per night, including breakfast, airport transfer, and a 45-minute massage in the hotel’s spa and hammam.
Text: Sara Darling
Images: Felix Speller