Why book?
For a front-row view of the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean from a sleek contemporary hotel on the edge of the laidback Moroccan capital.
Set the scene
The first thing you notice at the Conrad Rabat Arzana is the ocean. (In fact, it's probably the second and third, too.) The hotel sits right above the rocky shores of the Atlantic, which is practically everywhere you look for mesmerizing views and an invigorating booming soundtrack of waves making landfall. On a rainy morning the vistas are wild and windswept, both sea and sky taking on leaden hues; on a sunny afternoon, the blue waves roll towards the land in hypnotic lines, merging into the sky. And, come evening, the ocean's surface is suffused with gold as the sun dips beyond the horizon.
The heart of the hotel is the ocean-facing terrace with its two infinity pools, perfect for cooling off in summer and lovely for sitting around on a sunny winter day. The rest of the property radiates outwards from here, incorporating four restaurants, rooms and suites spread across a number of individual low-rise blocks, the Conrad Spa, and meeting and events space.
Your fellow guests are likely to be a mix of local staycationing families on weekends and holidays, and those traveling on business or attending events during the week in the hotel's conference facilities.
The backstory
Opened in December 2022, the hotel is Hilton's first luxury property in Morocco and the first in the country for the Conrad brand, which currently numbers a benchmark of nearly 50 properties across five continents. The hotel will be joined by residential villas and a waterpark as part of the overall Arzana development.
The rooms
Rooms are contemporary in style, decorated in grays and whites with touches of aquamarine in the carpets that reflect the ocean outside. These are clutter-free spaces, cool and calming with occasional nods to Moroccan heritage in the form of black-and-white photography of Rabat's heritage sites in the rooms, and handmade plates adorning walls in the corridors. All rooms and suites come with balconies, or terraces for those on the ground floor, and some of the suites have their own gardens with plunge pools.
Accommodations are split over a number of different blocks, some closer to the sea and others set slightly back. To appreciate the majesty of the Atlantic from your balcony, splurge on one of the upper-floor ocean-view options. Junior suite 2201 has perhaps the best views of all, perched right above a rocky spot where the waves constantly pound the coastline. Look to the right and you'll see the skyline of Rabat in the distance, and to the left, glorious Atlantic sunsets. If your budget stretches to it, the 6,700-square-foot Royal Suite sprawls across the entire top floor of the building closest to the sea, with endless ocean views and multiple terraces featuring an outdoor pool and a Jacuzzi.
Bathrooms are large and spacious, with freestanding soaking tubs in all room type and sliding doors that allow for an open-plan room or can be closed for more privacy. Refillable amenities are by Swedish luxury fragrance brand Byredo, and you'll find thoughtful touches left around the room by the housekeeping team, like little bowls of rose petals left by the sink.
The ever-present Atlantic Ocean is one of the main reasons to stay at this hotel, and the views had me mesmerized for hours. If you're a light sleeper, the constant crashing of the waves may impinge on your night's slumber. If that's the case, opt for a room set back from the ocean's edge, or bring earplugs. Or better yet, just surrender to the sounds of nature's power and majesty. There are few places where you'll feel so close to the force of the ocean, yet so comfortably removed from it.
Food and drink
You'll want to make reservations at Stone, the resort's fine dining venue for the Miso Black Cod and the chef's specialties like Spiced Citrus Cod. After dinner, stop by the Rhum Room for rum and dessert pairings curated by Princess Anthony, the bar's gregarious "rhummelier." There's also 20 Knots, the hotel's all-day casual restaurant—try the Johnny cakes dusted with cinnamon sugar at the breakfast buffet, and consider the ceviche or generously stuffed New England lobster roll for lunch or dinner. For live music and themed nights (Saturday sushi-and-jazz night is popular) stop by the Bohio Bar & Lounge, which draws an older, kid-free crowd. The resort isn't an all-inclusive, but dishes are fairly priced (most entrees under $35). The 24-hour room service was quick and convenient, and pasta, soups, and sandwiches were available around the clock.
The neighborhood/area
Located a 25-minute drive down the coast from the Moroccan capital Rabat, the hotel is surrounded by a residential neighborhood, and will soon be joined by a waterpark. Right now there's not much to do in the immediate vicinity other than go for breezy, bracing beach walks, and it's well worth making the effort to head into Rabat, one of Morocco's most overlooked cities and a wonderfully laid-back place compared to other crowd-pulling destinations like Marrakech and Fez. The hotel can arrange cars and drivers as well as guides if you want to have someone show you around, but part of the joy of Rabat is simply wandering its relaxed streets. The Medina is hassle- and motorbike-free (and much cheaper than those in the more touristy cities), the views from the ramparts are extraordinary, and there are plenty of little cafés where you can sip mint tea and nibble pastries, usually accompanied by a resident cat or two.
The service
The service is friendly and eager, especially in the restaurants where the teams are keen to make recommendations so you don't miss out on trying Moroccan flavors during your stay. After telling the front desk staff that I planned to spend a chilly evening warming up in my bathtub, I returned from dinner to find it already prepared for me, with bubbles and rose petals floating in the water.
Worth it?
Yes. If you're coming to the end of a journey through Morocco, this is the kind of place where you could hunker down for a couple of days, sprawled out by the pool, eating, drinking, and doing little else but relaxing as you gaze out at the ocean.
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