An Yves Saint Laurent Treasure in Tangier + What to Pack on a trip to Morocco

I was only able to catch a quick glimpse of the incredible Villa Mabrouka on a stop in Tangier on the Explora Cruise I took with a group of friends last Fall, but what a glimpse it was. I had read about the incredible former home (aka kasbah) of Yves Saint Laurent that was recently renovated by British designer Jasper Conran and was thrilled when I realized we would be able to see it. (See: “Inside Villa Mabrouka, the Hotel Everyone is Talking About this Summer”). I went for sunset drinks with my friends and was able to walk around the hotel and take it all in. Here are some snapshots of this beautiful property and you can also dig deeper from afar on Jasper Conran’s Instagram acount.

Conran is also the proprieter of another stunning property in Morocco, this one in Marrakech, aptly named L’Hotel Marrakech which I would love to visit one day. My friend Martha Stockhausen is set to travel there with a group next month on a trip she’s titled Magic & Madinas in Morocco: a 10 day journey with visits to Marrakech, the Ourika Valley, the Majorelle Gardens (also restored by Yves Saint Laurent), Fez, Chefchaouen and more. Check out her amazing itineraries and upcoming trips on her website here and follow along on Instagram.

I love a list and particularly a travel related one so I put together this Moroccan packing capsule for The Next Chapter Travelers! During the day when it is warm, I would wear cotton pants, either Kule t-shirts or Dôen tops, great sneakers, and pack a light sweater or a wrap. I always carry a backpack for sightseeing – it isn’t the most feminine but it makes life easier and it will fit all your stuff like money, water bottle, lip gloss, phone, etc. Plus whatever you might buy if it is small. At night when it cools down, a casual dress and sandals, also with a sweater or wrap, and a clutch. I saved it all on my ShopMy account that you can access and follow me on here.

PACKING FOR MOROCCO
Kule City Pants – super comfortable and a little dressier than jeans
Nili Lotan Cotton Trousers – also great for sightseeing; I love the army green color but there are lots of options including navy, black, chocolate brown and more.
Great White Jeans – these are from La Ligne.
Dôen Cotton Tops – these pretty flowy tops are so great. You can wear them with pants, jeans, suits, skirts, basically anything and they are feminine and flattering, informal and dressy, great with jewelry or without. Perfect. Also lots of color options including white, baby blue, pink, black, and floral. You can also dress them up at night with white jeans or pants and a jacket or sweater.
Kule Modern T-shirts – look no further, these are the best quality t-shirts that come in long sleeve, short sleeve, tanks and a variety of colors (& stripes!) and will go with everything. Worth the investment.
Dresses – I would pack lightweight dresses & sandals that can be dressed up or down: cotton gauze maxi dress, this Black Cotton Dress, this long pink one from Alix of Bohemia with a flattering silhouette, this pretty yellow slip dress and this comfortable but elegant dress made in Morocco.
Dressy Sandals – these sparkly ones from Loeffler Randall are perfect for pants or dresses
Cosmetic Bags – love this striped collection by Kule
A Cashmere Wrap – these from Alice Walk are the best.
A Lightweight Jacket – this one by Sea is great, casual but elevated with lace and pearl details.
This bright yellow jacket is a favorite too.
More tops: I love this lilac print top (pair with brown Kule pants, white jeans), this pretty yellow knit cardigan from the Gap, cotton jersey Henley top, a flattering pink cotton blouse, and I love these TWP cropped button down blouses.
Crossbody/Fanny Pack – this is not your grandmother’s fanny pack and I am never not without it on a trip. This snakeskin one is new but they have every color and pattern under the rainbow.
Sneakers – these Toteme sneakers are my favorites for sightseeing; so comfortable.
A Great Moisturizer – this one from Sofie Pavitt is a winner – super rich, but doesn’t leave the white residue.
Good quality sunglasses – Celine makes the best, as does Goodr.
the best $40 Amazon rain jacket,
A Great book,
& last but not least – great lipgloss.
Find it all on ShopMy

In the Kule top, Nili Lotan pants, Celine sunglasses and Toteme sneakers.

The Clare V Grande Fanny: A Sightseer’s Best Friend.

A dress that was made for this trip called The Marrakshi Life.

“Immersed in one of Tangier’s largest and most enchanting gardens, the intimate 12-room Villa Mabrouka is a haven of tranquillity and calm, located in a beautiful 1940s modernist house offering sweeping views of verdant green, blue sky and glittering sea from every turn. Villa Mabrouka is a place to spend time taking in the beauty of everything around you.”
Villa Mabrouka

Jasper Conran, clothing, home and furnishings designer & hotelier

This is the staircase that leads to the upstairs terrace.

This dome is on the roof of the hotel where you can have cocktails and snacks and watch the incredible sunset.

The aforementioned dome that is in the lobby below.

Transformed from a former private home into a cosseting and elegant hotel by the esteemed British designer Jasper Conran, Villa Mabrouka is the perfect escape whether spending time on your own or with a group of family and friends. The villa with its two crystalline swimming pools comprises three restaurants, a rooftop coffee / cocktail bar and three beautifully decorated garden pavilions ideal for private dining.
Villa Mabrouka

The magical entryways throughout the hotel.

“Conran’s vision has embraced the clean-lined simplicity of the house’s 1940s modernist architecture while bringing to it the quiet eccentricity and traditional service of an English country house, the yesteryear romance and magic of the Riviera’s early 20th century golden era of travel, as well as Conran’s contemporary taste for refined understatement and exquisite craftsmanship.”