Staying at Four Seasons Rabat during its “soft opening” (hotel-speak for “not everything is finished yet, but come anyway”) meant that some wings were still closed, and the spa was only just launching. But none of that mattered much, because what was open was already extraordinary.
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“From the moment we stepped through the gates, it was clear this wasn’t just another luxury hotel. This is a carefully restored piece of Rabat’s past, offering a true sense of place.”
— From our review of Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr, Morocco
The property sits on cliffs above the Atlantic, occupying a building that’d had several past lives: as an 18th-century palace for Sultan Moulay Slimane, a French military hospital, then an abandoned ruin. And now, a luxury hotel. Walking through it, you can feel those layers. The horseshoe windows, the carved plasterwork, the original zellige tiles—they didn’t gut the place and theme-park it. They restored it and let it breathe.
Check-in happens in the Noora lobby, which is essentially a pavilion built around a fountain courtyard. High ceilings, brass lanterns, and geometric tile patterns that echo palace motifs. It’s grand but not heavy. The whole hotel manages that balance—heritage without the weight.
Our room faced the sea. Tall windows pulled in morning light and the distant sound of waves (though also the morning traffic; a busy coastline road runs between the hotel and the sea). The interiors were calm—neutral tones, clean lines, then Moroccan details woven in through patterned tiles and handcrafted lighting. Nothing shouted. It all just worked.
Breakfast stretched long and lazy. Fresh pastries, eggs however you wanted them, fruit arranged like art. Lunch by the pool at Flamme was Mediterranean and unfussy. Dinners were more indulgent. One night, the sommelier turned a wine tasting into an actual education rather than the usual performance (finally, someone explained terroir in a way that made sense!). He knew what he was talking about and didn’t make a show of it.
Sunday brunch stood out. It was generous and lively, the kind of thing that felt like it was becoming a local tradition even though the hotel had barely opened. Live cooking stations, a mix of Moroccan, Mediterranean, and Asian dishes, and a crowd that seemed to know this was worth planning a weekend around.
The spa was only half-open during our stay, but they still arranged treatments for us. We both had 60-minute sessions that were slow, thorough, and exactly what we needed. The indoor saltwater pool was tucked under a vaulted ceiling, surrounded by warm textures and soft light. We kept coming back to it between trips into the city.
“Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr is a rare opening: an urban resort with historical depth, and a seaside sanctuary that seamlessly blends Moroccan heritage, architectural grandeur, and modern luxury.”
— From our review of Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr, Morocco
This wasn’t a typical resort stay. It felt more like inhabiting a piece of the city’s history that had been opened up for guests. Four Seasons got the tone right—respectful of what the building was, but not trapped by it.
The main infinity pool looks dramatic but sits above a busy coastal road, so it can be noisy during the day. We preferred the garden pool, which was quieter and more private. The spa’s indoor saltwater pool became our retreat between city explorations—intimate, serene, beautifully designed.
Our favorite experience? We didn’t expect the afternoon tea to become our favorite ritual, but it did. Something about the timing (post-pool, pre-dinner), and the setting. The local musician was there to showcase authentic Moroccan culture, not just to perform.
If you’re looking for something beyond the usual Marrakech circuit, Rabat is worth your attention. And this hotel is one more reason to go. For more technical details about rooms, facilities, and booking, see our full Four Seasons Rabat hotel review.
“Rabat remains under the radar—for now. As Morocco’s capital, it offers a refined, less frenetic alternative to Marrakech, rich in culture and history. With a new international airport underway, it won’t stay quiet for long.”
— From our review of Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr, Morocco
Rabat surprised us. It’s Morocco’s capital, but doesn’t feel like one. Less frenetic than Marrakech, more polished than Tangier. The medina is vast and real. Workshops, souks, and daily commerce happen without much regard for tourists. We found it more authentic than Marrakech’s medina, which felt curated by comparison.
The Kasbah of the Udayas is worth the trip alone. Whitewashed alleys, Andalusian gardens, ocean views that go on forever. We spent an afternoon there just wandering, no plan, no guide.
Rabat feels like a city on the edge of being discovered; it has this calm confidence, like it knows what’s coming but isn’t in a rush.
Morocco's most beautiful boutique Riad hotels
Enjoy access to perks that may include upgrades, in-room breakfasts, spa or hotel credits, and curated experiences.
Alternatively, book Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr via
Booking.com | Tablet Hotels, or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
*All photos in this post are by Laskowski & Zadros. © TravelPlusStyle.com.
Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals.
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Author: Travel+Style. Last updated: 27/12/2025
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