Hadley's Journey to Morocco

Hadley Keller is a longtime design writer currently serving as the editorial director of the Design Leadership Network, a community of top interior designers. She lives in Washington D.C., where she serves on the board of a nonprofit providing pro-bono design services to trauma survivors. 

Keller’s recent visit to Morocco included stops in Tangier, Fez, Chefchaouen, Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains, offering her a rich and diverse experience of all the country has to offer.


Below, she shares her favorite places to shop, eat, and stay, along with her best travel tips.

What is your favorite city in Morocco to visit? 
Impossible to say! One of the things I loved most about Morocco was how unique each city felt.


What are your favorite places to...?

Shop:

Mustapha Blaoui: Located in a fashionable neighborhood in Marrakech, this elegant store is a treasure trove of furniture and design, where you can buy lamps, leather goods and art. You could spend days exploring through its meandering rooms and still not see everything. 


Habibi Burton: Founded by noted fashion and interior designers Gene Mayer and Frank de Biasi in 2020, this Tangier-based home goods and clothing store celebrates Moroccan artisanship.


Eat:

Scorpion House: Enjoy fresh Moroccan food and breathtaking views at this concept restaurant situated in a private home in the hillside town of Moulay Idriss.

Nur: Located in Fez, this upscale restaurant offers an inventive tasting menu complemented by contemporary and Byzantine-inspired art.

The Ruined Garden: Situated in Fez, this enchanting restaurant serves delicious Moroccan dishes in a lush, overgrown courtyard where cats and turtles roam freely.


Stay:

Riad Kniza: This Marrakech riad is owned by Haj Mohamed Bouskri, a collector, dealer, hotelier, guide, and founder of a Moroccan craft museum located just across the street. Mohamed lovingly renovated this 18th-century riad into a charming hotel.


Villa Mabrouka: This 1940s modernist villa in Tangier, once home to Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, has been updated by Jasper Conran for a truly divine hospitality experience.

Riad Fes: Located in the heart of the Fes Medina, Riad Fes boasts stunning interiors, spectacular city views, and a luxurious spa—perfect for unwinding after a busy day.

Olinto: This luxury retreat in the Atlas Mountains is the ideal getaway. Its rooms are spread across private pavilions tucked into beautiful gardens, and all feature breathtaking views of the rugged landscape. 


What’s your favorite thing about visiting Morocco? 
Discovering the incredible craftsmanship throughout the country—from Berber rugs to Fez ceramics to decorative painting, plasterwork, and ironwork.


Do you have any tips/tricks when planning a trip to Morocco? 
Bring lots of empty suitcases! But seriously, there is so much artisanship here that is sadly difficult to find in the U.S., so you’ll definitely want to shop—especially because that means supporting craft traditions that might otherwise die out.

Appreciate you sharing your tips and tricks for exploring Morocco, Hadley! Follow her journey beyond Morocco here.