Morocco, MarrakeshJanuary 27, 2025, by Isa de Laat

IZZA Marrakech: one of the city's most beautiful boutique hotels

Accommodation
Morocco, Marrakesh, January 27, 2025, by Isa de Laat

IZZA Marrakech: one of the city's most beautiful boutique hotels

Colors, scents and art; welcome to Marrakech. Marrakech can be a bit hectic and all the better if you can retreat to a good riad. IZZA is located in the middle of the medina. That you can stay at IZZA Marrakech is a fact, but that you can feast your eyes on the art that can be seen there really completes the fairy tale.

The riad is a museum in the medina and a tribute to the iconic designer Bill Willis. Art meets design at IZZA. One of the most beautiful boutique hotels in the city.

 

 

 

An Ode to Bill Willis

An Ode to Bill Willis

For those unfamiliar with Bill Willis, let us catch you up. The American designer put Marrakech on the map as an artistic destination. In the 60s and 70s, he worked with the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Talitha Getty, introducing the world to Moroccan zellige tiles, sculptural arches and enchanting details. Willis’ vision gave the city a modern twist without losing its traditional charm. Riad IZZA thought, hey, we have to do something with that, and so it did.

IZZA feels like a hidden museum. As soon as you open the front door (which you find in an alley, duh Marrakech), it's copy-paste home feeling. With over 300 works – from Sebastião Salgado’s photography to Refik Anadol’s futuristic AI art – you’ll spend hours wandering through different artistic styles and eras in the riad. And then there’s the work of Leila Alaoui, the Moroccan photographer who captured the soul of her country with her intimate portraits. Every corner of IZZA is new (even in the rooms and hallways) and truly beautiful.

You don't have to settle for "just the art." IZZA also has a tea room with a red velvet sofa, the black-and-white Bill's Bar, a walnut-paneled library, two swimming pools, a spa, and lots of art.

IZZA is owned by Neon Adventures Ltd., a London-based family business with interests in technology, lifestyle and philanthropy. The hotel works with the Amal Centre, a non-profit organisation that trains women for careers in the hospitality industry. IZZA also supports Pikala Bikes, a sustainable cycling initiative founded by Dutch Cantal Bakker, which provides employment to young people in Marrakech. Together they work on projects such as art-themed bike tours and educational programmes for school children.

Design

Design

The rest of the hotel is also picture-perfect in order. It took eight years to realize IZZA, and it shows. Seven traditional houses were combined into one riad, with an emerald green swimming pool as its center. Here you escape the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by the scent of orange blossom and the soft splashing of a fountain.

The rooms are as unique as the art they feature, each with vintage furnishings and subtle references to iconic names like Grace Jones and Jack Kerouac. With just 14 rooms, each named after creative freedom seekers from the 60s and 70s, IZZA offers an exclusive experience. Prices range from €200 to €840 per night, including daily breakfast, an airport transfer on arrival and a relaxing 45-minute massage at IZZA’s spa and hammam.

Each room is different with iconic names such as Pierre (Bergé), Brion (Gysin), Paul (Bowles), Marella (Agnelli) and Yves (Saint Laurent)

 

culinary

culinary

The showpiece of the riad? Besides the art collection, it is Noujoum, the rooftop bar and restaurant. A stay at IZZA is not complete without a seat upstairs. From a breakfast of Berber eggs and fresh mint tea to a dinner under the stars with traditional tagines and local wines: everything breathes Moroccan hospitality. Chef Ahmad El Hardoum combines local ingredients with modern techniques, resulting in dishes that are not only tasty, but also beautifully presented. Great for the whole day and with a wonderfully changing menu. The Monkfish Tagine was amazing. And the crab and leek croquettes too. And the desserts were also outrageously good.

In the evening, IZZA comes to life in Bill’s Bar. Here, you can feel Willis’ legacy in every corner, from personal photos to his favourite books. This is the place to plan the next day with a glass of wine in hand – or just enjoy the moment.

Enjoyed every minute at IZZA. It is not just a stay, but a destination in itself. Marrakech through the eyes of an artist. Hard to leave the riad and explore the city….

IZZA

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