Tucked away in the Medina of Marrakech, amongst the maze of pink walls, food stalls, bustling alleys, and mopeds, lies the gorgeous IZZA Hotel. An immediate escape from the city’s chaos and once of citys newest gems. IZZA is a 14-bedroom boutique hotel, a harmonious blend of seven ancient riads featuring hidden stairways, stunning courtyards with pools, and balconies and terraces overlooking the plush colours of Marrakech. Adorned with shades of green across its tiles and décor, a color linked to Islam and a standout feature in every room.
Affectionately known as the “House of Friends,” entrepreneur Neil Hutchinson curated the décor as a love letter to interior designer Bill Willis, who designed Yves Saint Laurent’s Marrakech home, located 20 km outside the city. As IZZA General Manager Mohamed Ait Belhaj says, “IZZA is a patchwork of homes brought together – their walls sensitively removed and energies combined. The legendary hospitality of the Berber people is represented not just by our original host, Izza, but is echoed through our wonderful team of staff.” He adds, “Morocco can be an assault on the senses, frenetic and intense; IZZA provides an oasis of calm and tranquillity to balance this. We are ancient, yet contemporary; decadent, yet simple; eclectic, yet familiar.”
A £5 million collection of over 300 artworks is spread across each courtyard, stairway and bedroom. Upon entering the hotel, you’re welcomed by portraits by Leila Alaoui, depicting Moroccan men and women in traditional dress. As you wind through the alleyways, you encounter one of the world’s largest collections of NFTs from prominent NFT collector Studio137, featuring AI-animated works that subtly move, evoking the enchanted portraits of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts.
Each of IZZA’s 14 rooms is named and decorated to reflect the aesthetic of the ’60s and ’70s creative freedom seekers who visited, including icons like Yves Saint Laurent, Jimi Hendrix, Jack Kerouac, Marianne Faithfull, and Grace Jones. In a recreation of Rick’s bar from the film “Casablanca,” you can’t miss Bill Willis’s thousands of designs, drawings, and photographs, originally found in his Dar Noujoum home, including an amusing handwritten rejection letter from Yves Saint Laurent.
IZZA plans to host regular artistic and literary events, inviting local artists and authors as well as those from further afield. Dining at IZZA is a delight, with meals often enjoyed on the tranquil rooftop terrace, a floating garden surrounded by greenery. Each small dish reflects Morocco’s rich culinary heritage with a European twist. Head Chef Ahmad El Hardoum, working with British Chef Consultant Paul Weaver, has created a deliciously indulgent menu sourced from nearby organic farms and the Medina’s local souks. Be it Moroccan crushed avocado on sourdough, Moroccan m’semen, beghrir, harcha with preserves, or grilled octopus, white bean salad with spiced cauliflower puree, every meal is a treat.
When in this part of the world, a Hammam should always be on the agenda. I’ve tried a few in Turkey and Budapest, but IZZA took the experience to another level. I spent a couple of hours tucked away in a marble nook, like a personal sanctuary. After a vigorous scrub and laying under a bed of foam, I felt like a new person when I finally emerged. There’s also an option to use the gym, but that’s way too exhausting.
IZZA Boutique Hotel is that hidden gem within Marrakech’s vibrant Medina. Combining heritage, art, and hospitality to creates an oasis of peace amidst the city’s hustle and bustle. From the décor paying homage to Moroccan traditions of the past to the diverse art collection hanging from each wall, there a story and a question to be asked around every corner.
Prices range from €200 (£180) to £695 per room per night, including breakfast, airport transfer on arrival, and a 45-minute massage in IZZA’s spa and hammam treatment room.
To book visit IZZA.com
