Yves Saint Laurent’s former residence in the Moroccan port city of Tangiers now welcomes guests as a five-star luxury hotel following its recent transformation under the ownership of acclaimed British designer Jasper Conran. The storied villa, perched atop a cliff with panoramic views of the Strait of Gibraltar, historically served as the late couturier’s own wellspring of inspiration for his sartorial creations as well as a holiday home he’d regularly spend time in during his repeated travels to the North African Kingdom.
After a lengthy period spent restoring and refurbishing the property, the century-old domicile, which is commonly referred to as “Villa Mabrouka,” now boasts 12 ensuite rooms “offering sweeping views of verdant green, blue sky, and glittering sea from every turn,” per the official website’s description of the boutique hotel. Surrounded by three lush garden pavilions, two crystalline swimming pools, and several other amenities including a fine dining restaurant, gourmet cocktail bars, a rooftop café, as well as a hammam (obviously), the private-home-turned-lodging still managed to maintain its original charm and allure while also embracing modern elegance and comfort.
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From the roofing to the plumbing, decor, and services, most elements of the abode were brought up to standard and meticulously thought out to complement the overarching aesthetic of the mansion. With entire new guest rooms and common areas added, every detail was carefully considered to bring a truly luxurious experience for residents and visitors alike.
“I want Villa Mabrouka to feel deeply personal, like staying in a home rather than a hotel, reflecting the way I personally like to live, the things that I enjoy, and the appreciation of beautifully made things. I want it to be a place where you can spend time taking in the beauty of everything around you,” Conran said in an interview.
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Bought by Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé in 1998 from Sheikha Fatima bint Fahad bin Salem Al Sabah of Kuwait, the manor has since become a symbol of artistic refinement and timeless sophistication, carried by the late French designer’s legacy and his affection for North Africa, a region deeply personal to him due to his birth and upbringing in Algeria. Purchased by Conrad from the Fondation Jardin Majorelle— an independent non-profit established in 2001 by Saint Laurent, Bergé, and landscape designer Madison Cox— his take-over, back then poised to open a new chapter in the Villa’s rich history, is now further elevating its status as a pinnacle of luxury hospitality in Morocco.
Open for business since July, the houses’s vintage architecture, coupled with Conran’s re-design, makes Mabrouka one of the destinations to bump to the top of your bucket list, especially with Eid just on the horizon.
