November 5th 2023.
My birthday wish came true when I jetted off to the enchanting city of Marrakech, just under four hours away from London. As I stepped out of the airport, I was immediately taken away by the blue skies and centuries-old city walls of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Our airport pick-up took us to IZZA, a luxurious collection of seven interconnecting riads, where I was welcomed with the sounds of bubbling fountains. This North African gem, which was eight years in the making, was an ode to designer Bill Willis, who spent four decades living in Marrakech and is widely considered the founder of Moroccan-style interiors. The Bill Willis Bar even features the same floor design as the one in the film Casablanca.
No two rooms are alike at IZZA, each of the 14 are designed to reflect the famous personality associated with Morocco that they are named after. I stayed in the Jack Kerouac room, dubbed the 'green room' for its beautiful shades of jade green tiling. There's also the massive Yves Saint Laurent room with curated coffee table books to inspire you.
The library was one of my favourite rooms in the property, with an eclectic collection of books that stick to the theme. I also spent most of my stay trying to stay cool by the property's three pools, and I was pampered by the staff who made me feel like royalty with every interaction.
The meals at IZZA were exquisitely prepared from a menu designed around locally sourced, seasonal produce. The octopus hotdog and watermelon salad became instant favourites of mine, and the slow-cooked lamb from my birthday dinner had me profusely complimenting the chef.
I also had a traditional hammam on the afternoon of my birthday. As the steam enveloped me in a cocoon of warmth and the Kessala covered my skin with the Moroccan black soap, I felt like I was shedding my old skin and entering a new year.
Staying at IZZA was also a treat for my eyes as I was surrounded by a multi-million dollar art collection. Every corner made for an Insta-worthy shot fit for that all-important birthday post.
Elsewhere, Marrakech had much to offer – with its boisterous bazaars, kittens in every corner, and the chance to stock up on the best concoctions of spices or tea. I particularly enjoyed visiting the Jardin Majorelle, the most interesting botanical garden I've ever seen.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on my last night at IZZA, casting a warm, golden hue over the labyrinthine streets of Marrakech, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for being in such a beautiful place on my special day. I had experienced getting lost in the streets of Marrakech, been driven on a tuk-tuk, found a knack for scoring a bargain in the souks and even had my first hammam. It was also the first time I'd had 'Happy Birthday' sung to me in three different languages.
Staying in a lavish riad is the closest you can get to feeling like royalty. So for anyone with a case of main character syndrome – or those who simply relish their birthday – I highly recommend Marrakech and IZZA.
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