There is no question about it – Yves Saint Laurent, the man behind the eponymous company, was the epitome of style. And almost sixty years later, YSL is still on point as ever. So, you know a fashion designer whose timeless fashion has good taste, especially when it comes to his personal homes. In fact, if the grit of Tangier is going to enter the mainstream, you know it’s to stay at Yves Saint Laurent’s exquisite home in town. This is a look at the must-see Yves St. Laurent villa in Morocco.
Background
Yves Saint Laurent first fell in love with the country of Morocco in 1966. He and Pierre Bergé purchased a property there in 1980, and another one in the 1990s, naming it “Villa Mabrouka”. The name is Arabic for “House of Luck”. Saint Laurent often visited Morocco to gain ideas and inspiration for new collections. He spoke fondly of the country, stating that he did not know light or color until he first traveled there. His Tangier villa served as a haven of inspiration and self-discovery.
The Reopening
Decades after Yves Saint Laurent purchased his Tangier villa, it is now open for visitors. Jasper Conran, owner of L’Hôtel Marrakech, purchased Villa Mabrouka in 2019. Conran has restored the villa, staying true to its original design, and recently opened it up to the public as a hotel. There are twelve spacious suites, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and coveted views of the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Interior
The renowned Jacques Grange originally designed Villa Mabrouka. Saint Laurent had asked him to make the 1940s modernist villa feel like the home of “an eccentric Englishman” living in Tangier after the war. Since Jasper Conrad purchased the villa, he has added three restaurants, a kitchen, a terrace, a coffee shop, a pool, a few new suites, garden cottages, and dining areas. One of the dining areas was originally designed by the famous Stuart Church. The design inspiration for the suites comes from all over the world- Roman mosaics, Andalusian tiles, as well as elements from both England and Morocco. Grange designed each room with a particular color in mind, an idea that Saint Laurent himself came up with. All of the colors used are neutral earth tones. The lamps, chandeliers, ceilings, and marble floors are all original to the villa, as are several trinkets placed there by Saint Laurent and Bergé themselves.
The Gardens
Perhaps the most vibrant and colorful part of the villa, the gardens may be the highlight of your stay at Villa Mabrouka. The gardens are lush with trees, shrubs and flowers as far as the eye can see. Despite this, Conran has begun a replanting program to plant an additional 6,500 new plants and trees in the area.
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FAQs
Q: Can I visit the Yves St. Laurent villa in Morocco wthout staying in a suite?
A: Yes, you can visit the Yves St. Laurent villa in Morocco even if you’re not a guest. The restaurants and bar are open to visitors who are not staying at the villa, but it is recommended that you book in advance.
Q: What are some things to do near the Yves St. Laurent villa in Morocco?
A: Things to do near Yves St. Laurent villa in Morocco, Villa Mabrouka, include Ciacova Tower, Piatra Varful Peak, Semenic Mountains, and also Pestera Portile Bihorului.
Q: Does the YSL hotel offer airport transportation?
A: Yes, Villa Mabrouka offers airport transportation.
Q: How far is the YSL hotel from the city center?
A: Villa Mabrouka is 1 mile from the city center.
