Inside IZZA Hotel Marrakech - International Travel

May 19, 2026

One of the Red City’s most romantic rooftop restaurants is hidden away in a new art-filled hotel in the medina. Words by Edwina Hart.

The arrival

This hotly-anticipated addition to Marrakech’s trendy hotel scene doubles as an art gallery, tucked away in the ancient medina. Step through the heavy green door and you’re met with hushed calm, cool air and meticulously-curated interiors that feel a world away from the chaotic, labyrinthine streets of the old city. The mid-century furnishings of the lobby are framed by a striking large-scale photo series of locals by Leila Alaoui – a hint at the gallery-style spaces to come. Just beyond, an emerald-coloured pool glimmers like a palm-fringed oasis. As I check in, a silver pot of fresh mint tea swiftly appears, poured skilfully at a great height, which is the warmest Moroccan welcome.

The hotel

Traditional Moroccan architecture meets cutting-edge contemporary art at this 14-room hotel, which spans three interlinking courtyards – some with plunge pools – and a series of serene, hidden spaces. There’s a marble-clad hammam, tea salon, library with a fireplace, a chic fitness centre (complete with Pelotons) and a standalone restaurant, Noujoum, with panoramic views over the city. After eight years of renovation, connecting seven historic riads (family homes), the property has been completely reimagined top to toe.

A haven for art lovers

Through the maze of courtyards, narrow staircases and shaded salons, a celebration of local craftsmanship is revealed at every turn. Traditional features such as stucco details, zig-zag zellige tiles, tadelakt (sculpted plaster), filigree lanterns and arabesque arches provide a striking contrast to the bold, modern art that adorns the walls. The multi-million-dollar collection showcases a mix of international and local artists, both established and emerging, with more than 300 pieces of digital and generative art to admire during your stay.

Drinking and dining

Will’s Bar

The hotel was conceptualised as a ‘house of friends’ – a place for like-minded free spirits, art lovers and aesthetes to gather. While IZZA channels Morocco’s bohemian spirit of the 1960s and ’70s, it is this residents-only bar that distils the hedonism of the era and pays homage to one of the city’s iconic creative figures: American designer Bill Willis. His flamboyant legacy comes to life through photographs and framed memorabilia, including letters – discovered in an old suitcase – between him and stars such as Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and Yves Saint Laurent.

Romantic rooftop restaurant

Noujoum means ‘stars’ in Arabic, and the dazzling, open-air rooftop restaurant is the hotel’s crown jewel – and, quite possibly, the medina’s best-kept secret. It is a dining destination in itself, serving an à la carte lunch and dinner menu designed by celebrated British chef Paul Weaver (formerly of St John Bread and Wine) and executed by head chef Ahmad El Hardoum, who has built a stellar career working at some of Marrakech’s finest hotels.

Sunset drinks

For the most magical experience, we arrive before sunset for a pre-dinner drink in the courtyard garden. There’s a mix of French and local wines, such as Château Roslane’s 1er Cru Les Coteaux de l’Atlas – a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah – from the vineyards of the Atlas Mountains, alongside artisanal beers and a creative cocktail menu. After a day of sightseeing and shopping in the souks, the tangy grapefruit IZZA Spritz, with a hint of rosemary, hits the spot.

Modern Moroccan cuisine

We then sink into the cushioned banquette at our table at Noujoum, flanked by striking photographs from Sebastião Salgado’s Amazônia series, as candlelit tables twinkle under the North African sky. Moroccan traditional fare fuses Mediterranean flavours with a modern twist. Ingredients are sourced from the historic souks, organic farms and the on-site garden. We order a medley of share plates to start: toast slathered with whipped olive butter; crispy calamari with a zesty cucumber salsa that perfectly cuts through the dill aioli; and a tarragon-spiked, salt-baked beetroot topped with strawberry and goat’s cheese. For mains, the classic chicken tagine sings with preserved lemon, which arrives in an earthenware pot, fragrant citrus steam billowing out as the lid is lifted tableside. Even a humble side of grilled baby gem almost steals the show, drizzled with a rich confit of garlic and anchovy.

Local breakfast

One of the highlights of a Moroccan hotel stay is waking up to a generous breakfast spread. IZZA’s multi-course feast is no exception. Set in the shady, flower-fringed rooftop haven, it’s an idyllic start to the day. Expect a selection of coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a basket of pastries – croissants, m’semen (buttery, flaky flatbread) and thousand-hole pancakes – served with a variety of sweet jams and amlou, a deliciously addictive toasted almond, argan oil and honey spread. Dedicated pastry chef Abderazzak El Boukhari proves himself to be one to watch among Marrakech’s culinary talent. Don’t miss the spiced tomato beans with Beldi eggs: a Moroccan take on shakshuka. For those looking for all-day party vibes, an exciting new Saturday brunch session has just kicked off, with a weekly set menu and live DJ set.

The rooms

Each of the 14 rooms are individually named after artistic personalities connected to Bill Willis during Marrakech’s heyday and uniquely designed, decorated with hand-picked vintage furnishings. My large, rose-pink-themed suite, Yves, is one of the loveliest, inspired by the city’s most famous expat Yves Saint Laurent. There’s a king-size bed dressed in Egyptian cotton bedding, double-shuttered windows and a petite Juliet balcony overlooking the 10-metre pool below. I’m cocooned in a sanctuary complete with a corner sofa nook (perfect for sipping mint tea and settling in with one of the many design books on display), a vintage writing desk, a Nespresso coffee machine and a selection of Moroccan-made snacks. There’s also a generously-sized bathroom with a rain shower and bathtub, stocked with amenities made from organic ingredients sourced in the Ourika Valley.

The Spa

Discreetly set steps from the pool, the marble hammam (steam room) and massage therapy chamber linger with the scent of sweet orange blossom. Traditional hammam exfoliation rituals and blissful massages, using Botanika Marrakech’s organic products, are available to book during your stay.

The Location

IZZA is tucked away in a residential neighbourhood in the north-west pocket of the medina, within walking distance of the vibrant souks and centuries-old sites hidden away in its laneways. It is also a convenient base for exploring Jardin Majorelle, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Gueliz, the trendy Ville Nouvelle (new town).

The details

Prices start at $365 with a two-night minimum stay, with daily breakfast included. If you book directly with the hotel, airport transfers are arranged free of charge. For more information visit izza.com

The writer was a guest of IZZA Hotel Marrakech.