Strictly Tangier

A Design Pilgrimage to Morocco! Details on a must-visit destination for fashion and interior design enthusiasts who want to walk the same grounds where Yves Saint Laurent found creative inspiration...

I just got back from one of my favorite trips in recent memory. I wanted take you along my itinerary and share a little bit about each stop… before I get into my first recap, here’s a high level outline of what we got into and what you can look forward to guides for…

• NYC > LISBON: got a rental car & drove to Comporta

  • 2 NIGHTS at Vermelho Melides

• LISBON > TANGIER: except we missed our flight and spent the night in Seville…

  • 2 NIGHTS in at Villa Mabrouka

• TANGIER > MARRAKECH

  • 1 NIGHT at El Fenn

  • 2 NIGHTS at Farasha Farmhouse

• MARRAKESH > PARIS

  • 24hrs of magic & headed home!

All the hotels we visited were worth the trip alone, each special gems with such a sense of place and authentic details that tell stories of the destination — and of course show stopping interiors, design, and service throughout. I’m going to be honest, I booked this entire trip around hotels I wanted to check out, and boy this approach did NOT let my aesthetic dreams down. Highly recommend this itinerary <3

I’m going slightly out of order, but I’m just way too excited to talk about Villa Mabrouka and our few days in Tangier…

Perched on a clifftop overlooking the glittering Mediterranean, Villa Mabrouka (”House of Luck”) is a legendary slice of design history hidden just steps from the bustling energy of Tangier’s Medina. Originally built in the 1940s, this modernist villa served as the deeply private, sun-drenched sanctuary of fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Today, British designer Jasper Conran has beautifully reimagined the estate into an intimate, 12-room luxury hotel. It seamlessly blends Saint Laurent’s storied design legacy with one of the city’s largest, most enchanting private gardens—creating a quiet, bird-filled paradise of sweeping sea views, lush lawns, and total seclusion right in the heart of the “White City.”

The Villa was genuinely one of the most serene places I’ve ever been, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t beaming with color, unexpected touches, and authentic Moroccan flair. I could lay by this BRAT green pool for a week straight and not get bored, going from book to book (Strangers to Famesick my particular pipeline — so good) and snacking on the complementary crudités and dips, slathering fresh mini baguettes with french butter…

While I am clearly addicted to this hotel, there are also some other strict ones to check out too:

• La Tangerina

• Mimi Calpe

• Nord Pinus

• Aux 3 Portes

• Gavin’s House (Airbnb)

If you can pry yourself off the sun beds, beyond the wooden carved doors and the serene sanctuary of the hotel, Tangier is full of magic and history everywhere you look.

Ever wonder where icons like Matisse and The Rolling Stones went to escape the real world?

Sat majestically above the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier has long been defined by its rich, eclectic, and international past. Since the 1930s, a glamorous array of strict of artists, rock stars, and writers have flocked here, hooked by the city’s unique creative energy. I felt that walking through the streets of the Medina, snagging one of a kind finds, admiring the architecture, and of course, exploring hidden corners of our hotel. The color inspiration is endless and we had the best time taking our camera around and shooting whatever sparked joy or interest. An “art project” if you will. While I highly recommend just wandering, here are some spots you should probably check out:

• Shop around the Medina, make sure to pop into Laure Welfling for an incredible curation of locally made clothing and accessories, expensive but one of a kind.

• Bazar Tindouf also has incredible antiques

• Cinéma Rif, landmark 1930s independent movie theatre overlooking the bustling Grand Socco square, stop by for some people watching, a drink, or a movie!

• Garden of Rohuna, a little out of the city but absolutley stunning.

• KIOSK by Think Tanger and Librairie des Colonnes are both very cool bookstores I know you’d love.

• If you’re feeling adventurous and craving a day trip, Asilah is a nearby beach town!

And of course, can’t forget places to eat…

• El Morocco Club, iconic spot for dinner (there was a movie being filmed there when we went)

• Le Salon Bleu, gorg rooftop for lunch in the Medina

• Le Saveur de Poisson, people are obsessed!

• Alma Kitchen & Coffee, if you want more western food, matcha etc.

• Villa Mabrouka, you already know…go for drinks at sunset on the rooftop!

• Gran Café de Paris, an iconic spot where both spies and Tennessee Williams would frequent

If Tangier is not already on your radar, consider this a major PSA. Highly recommend adding a stop or two to explore the magic of the city. Don’t get me wrong, I love Marrakech (guide coming soon), but Morocco has so much more to offer!! Xoxo, til next time!!!!!!!!