Villa Mabrouka: where fashion, history and nature meet

The history of the haute couture house

Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, were searching for a tranquil retreat, where they could relax after the busy fashion shows and Parisian dinner parties. A villa on the top of the hill in Tangier offered everything they longed for. Built in the modernist style of the 40s, the villa looks simple from the outside; however, the interior is straight out of a fairy-tale – pastel walls, antique mirrors, vases filled with freshly cut roses, handmade rugs and mosaics inspired by North African culture. The name “Mabrouka” is Arabic for “House of Luck,” and the villa served as their Moroccan sanctuary.

Each room was designed with a different nostalgic and romantic colour palette by the famous French designer Jacques Grange. Yves Saint Laurent once said that before discovering Marrakesh, everything was black. Only in Morocco did he discovered the beauty of colours, new colour combinations and endless inspiration. He also admitted that his collections of deep red and emerald greens were influenced by traditional Moroccan ceramic tiles, patterns and garments.

A fairy-tale interior

Inside the villa, Yves found inspiration for his new collections, spending time surrounded by antiques and ethnic decorations, which he loved to combine with modern elements. Every corner of the house made him feel that he was not only creating fashion, but also shaping his life. The villa’s gardens were as iconic as its interiors. Spacious terraces lined with olive trees and cypresses and endless views over the Atlantic. This place was a natural atelier, where colours, textures and aromas created a living symphony. “I love trees and flowers. In Marrakech and Tangier, I found the same climate I had known in my youth. Vegetation is important because it brings a great deal of serenity,” said Yves Saint Laurent.

A sanctuary of inspiration

Beyond all the visual inspiration, the villa offered a deeply peaceful atmosphere. Yves found his inner calm, allowing him to devote himself fully to his work and creativity.

Tangier was his refuge, a place where he could be himself and create without compromise.

Each visit to this place was, for Yves and Pierre, a return to life and energy, which helped them to form their unique work. It became their place for rest, reading, and meditation during the final decade of the designer’s life.

A new chapter

After Yves Saint Laurent's passing, the villa stayed silent for a while. The interiors were waiting for a new chapter, which would bring them a new life, while maintaining the soul of the place. The moment came in 2019, when it was purchased by British designer Jasper Conran. The former private home was transformed into an elegant boutique hotel. He maintained its charm, fine lines and the spaciousness of the rooms, while introducing lightness and comfort typical in the English country style.

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows now allow natural light to flow through the house, connecting the interiors with the bright blue of Tangier’s sea and sky outside. This brings to the villa a soft, comfortable airiness. In 2023, the villa was opened to the public again as a luxurious boutique hotel. Every corner was thoughtfully planned, yet still looks effortless and elegant. Marble bathrooms, bedside tables with ceramic lamps and antique décor, everything reminds you of the history of the villa and its previous owners.

The gardens remained just as iconic, offering panoramic views of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Overflowing with greenery and flowers, Jasper Conran added over 6,000 plants, including bamboo groves, peonies and aromatic herbs. Two pools, each with its own character, complement the scenery. One pool is carved directly into the rock, the other lined with mosaics that reflect the sky, giving the impression that the water is an extension of the ocean.

Conran’s careful interventions brought a new life to the villa, while maintaining its authentic atmosphere. Guests can now enjoy luxury and serenity, and a rare sense of privacy.

Villa Mabrouka features twelve rooms, spread across the main house and smaller pavilions nestled in the large gardens. Each room is unique and has its own soul. Some of them have a private terrace with a fascinating view, others are surrounded by exotic flowers, adding to the sense of mystery and complete intimacy.

Dining at Villa Mabrouka

The culinary experiences are refined, just like the interiors. The villa features three restaurants, a rooftop cocktail bar and three garden pavilions ideal for private dining. The all-day menu consists of light, fresh dishes made from Mediterranean ingredients. Restaurant L’Orangerie, the main restaurant, serves exquisite Moroccan dishes in an elegant atmosphere.

A haven for dreamers

The villa continues to attract famous personalities seeking inspiration and internal harmony.

Villa Mabrouka is a place to spend time taking in the beauty of everything around you. More than just a hotel – it is a celebration of creativity, nature and timeless charm.

www.villamabrouka.com

Address: Villa Mabrouka

1 Sidi Bouknadel

Tangier 90000, Morocco