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48 I t's tempting to dive recklessly into Morocco's sultry beauty, with the sights, sounds, and smells melding. But within the walls of L'Hôtel Marrakech, every detail — from color to fragrance to works of art — plays a distinct and beautiful note. The softness of the flowers, the spice from the tagine, the patina of antique bronze, and the detail of the Zellij tile sing. Bright oranges, yellows, reds, and pinks burst from rich textiles to reverberate against crisp whites and warm Tadelakt plaster. The master composer of one of the chicest hotels in the last few years is Jasper Conran, the British designer who first made his mark in fashion in 1978 and is the son of legendary home emporium founder Sir Terence Conran. Aside from his collections of womenswear, menswear, fragrance, and accessories, he is known for his elegant home and interiors collections. His sense of drama has led him to create costumes and sets for 13 plays, ballets, and operas, including a redesign of the costumes for Simon Callow's adaptation of My Fair Lady, and a colorful spin on Galina Samsova's production of the ballet Sleeping Beauty. His foray into hotel design — and as hotelier — is no surprise, but is a delight, nonetheless. The lovingly restored 19th-century riad, which Conran debuted as a small, cozy hotel in 2016, is filled with his personal collections of antiques, textiles, lighting, and art, including acquisitions from the private collections of American interior designer Bill Willis and French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, both legendary for their love CONRAN HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, BY LISA COLLINS SHADDOCK Clockwise from top left: A main entrance at L'Hôtel Marrakech. Tangier Suite. The courtyard pool. Traditional Moroccan tea. A corridor in the hotel. (continued on page 71) WANDERINGS