There are some hotels you visit purely because they’re practical. Some because they’re convenient and an easy place to just dump your suitcase. Some because they’re an easy fix for a simple night’s sleep… And then, there are places like IZZA , a Marrakech hotel that you won’t want to leave… the kind of place that completely shapes your entire experience of a destination from the moment that you walk through the door.

Why IZZA feels so special

IZZA is tucked away in the northern side of the Medina and feels less like a hotel and more like stepping inside an impossibly stylish,  botanical wonderland. It’s formed of seven interconnected Riads, so it feels almost maze-like when you’re exploring the grounds. It’s the sort of place where every single corner (and I really do mean every corner!) has been considered. No matter where you turn, something, somewhere manages to stop you in your tracks and make you think ‘ok wow, this is really special!’

As somebody who genuinely chooses Marrakech hotels almost entirely based on the interiors, I knew within the first thirty seconds of arriving that this place was going to become a favourite of mine. And I say this honestly… I’ve thought about their tiling designs at least once a day ever since visiting!

What makes IZZA feel even more special is that despite only opening its doors in 2023, the hotel already feels deeply connected to Marrakech’s creative history. The interiors throughout the hotel have been heavily inspired by the late socialite and interiors aesthete, Bill Willis, who became one of the key designers responsible for reviving traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and interiors.

If you’re like me and have always admired the iconic Marrakech aesthetic (think zellige tiling, layered textures, intricate patterns and carved wood!), then it’s worth knowing that Bill Willis almost definitely had something to do with shaping that visual world. He worked closely with other designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé (just to name a couple), and helped define the city’s now very recognisable boho-luxury style. You can really feel that influence throughout IZZA and I think these images speak for themselves…

IZZA: A Marrakech hotel for interiors lovers…

I genuinely think IZZA is one of those rare Marrakech hotels that understands the emotional impact interiors can have on how we experience a place. And for somebody like me (who notices every paint colour, every lighting choice, every piece of art and every beautifully tiled corner), it was quite honestly an absolute DREAM.

The artwork at IZZA deserves a mention all on its own because there are over 300 pieces of digital and print art scattered throughout the hotel, giving it a completely different feel to anywhere else that I’ve stayed in Marrakech. Each piece is created by local artists, which makes the interiors feel even more connected to the city itself and it all feels naturally woven into the interiors, with the location of each art piece being carefully considered so it doesn’t feel overly staged or gallery-like.

I also loved that each piece included QR codes, so you can learn more about the artists as you explore the hotel. It honestly feels like an art gallery and a hotel all merged into one, which makes the whole experience feel really immersive.

The rooftop at IZZA

Now of course I need to mention the rooftop, because I think anyone who’s been to Marrakech will know there are two different layers to the city. There’s the busy chaos down below within the Medina, and then there’s the calmness waiting above it all on the rooftops.

IZZA’s rooftop is really quite something because as I mentioned, it’s formed of seven interconnected Riads, so just like below, the rooftop is also a maze of different areas for you to soak in the views.

Noujoum is the bar and restaurant at IZZA and honestly, it’s a complete feast for the eyes with plaster pink walls, cascading greenery and lots of green tiles! I had the pleasure of working my way through most of the menu during my stay and I have to say… it did not disappoint.

If you’re a seafood lover then you’ll be in your element as they get daily, fresh deliveries of shellfish and sea bass from the seaside city, Oualiadia, and I can highly recommend the oysters!

As well as the restaurant Noujoum, there are lots of different spaces around the rooftop where you can quietly sit and soak in the atmosphere. They have sun loungers and little bistro tables scattered around, so whether you want to properly relax in the sun or just sit with a drink, there’s a space for it.

One of my favourite views was actually looking down into the hotel itself because from above you can properly see all of the cascading greenery spilling through the riads and courtyards below. It somehow makes the whole place feel even more magical.

And then of course there’s the sunset views… which was just unreal!

The whole city slowly turns into this dusty, terracotta pink colour whilst the call to prayer echoes around the rooftops. I often get quite emotional during the call to prayer and IZZA was the perfect space for me to take myself off for a moment to appreciate it by myself.

Final thoughts on IZZA

Marrakech is already a city overflowing with visual inspiration, but IZZA somehow manages to bottle up everything that makes the city feel so special and turn it into an unforgettable stay.

If you’re the kind of person (like me!) who saves Marrakech hotels purely because of the interiors and wants to stay somewhere that gives you an authentic and genuine Moroccan experience, then trust me when I say that IZZA definitely deserves a spot on your Marrakech destination list.

GOOD TO KNOW

*IZZA kindly hosted my stay in Marrakech, however all thoughts and opinions (and slightly obsessive comments about the interiors!) are entirely my own. I only ever share places I genuinely love and would wholeheartedly recommend.*

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