Recently, after a busy few months settling into my new home in France, I was ready for a wellness and personal reset. Typically, in order to achieve this, I opt for places where I can combine a healthy dose of sea, spa and culture—criteria that Morocco’s Atlantic coast has always fulfilled. While Casablanca may seem like the obvious destination, given its abundance of luxury seaside resorts and spas, I was seeking a quieter, laid-back break away from crowds and nightlife. Eventually, I landed on Morocco’s capital city of Rabat, a smaller, relaxed alternative to the cosmopolitan hub of Casablanca, and luckily for me, a mere two-and-a-half-hour flight from Paris.
When researching a place to stay, I came across Conrad Rabat Arzana. A sprawling estate framed by the Atlantic Ocean, the new hotel is an elegant 120-room retreat—and the first brand entry into Morocco for Hilton’s Conrad Hotels Resorts. It fit the bill perfectly, thanks to its scenic, ideal location; close enough to visit the city’s cultural center and historic attractions, yet still isolated enough to hide away from it all.
Upon arrival, my friendly driver, Messaoud, arranged by the hotel ahead of my stay, greeted me at the airport with a sign and a smile. He apologized for his lack of English and politely welcomed my attempt to practice my imperfect French. “Voulez-vous prendre la route la plus rapide ou la route plus belle qui longe la mer?” he asked, explaining that the scenic route would add an additional 15 minutes to the drive. Of course, I chose the scenic route.
As we drove down the perfectly paved, palm-lined boulevards, I observed as groups of families and friends congregated along the pristine parks at sunset, watching as the waves crashed onto the shores flanked by the city’s white-washed colonial architecture. It was impossible not to notice how elegant and clean the city was (I later learned that Rabat is one of the cleanest cities in the country). The city also possesses a distinct European charm, illustrated through its many galleries and modern architecture, all of which my driver proudly pointed out along our drive. To me, Rabat felt like an exquisite synthesis of old and new, as luxurious and elegant as it is soulful and authentic—a seamless marriage that I soon discovered carried over to the Conrad Rabat Arzana.
Rather than dominate the horizon with a towering facade, the hotel opted to string together multiple low-rise structures encompassing spacious rooms, three restaurants, a modern Moroccan tea lounge and a spa—each strategically oriented toward the sea. The bold and contemporary interiors of the waterfront hotel, I immediately noticed upon entering, seamlessly tap into Rabat’s rich cultural identity, landscape and history; the grand lobby is decked in ornate marble and features high ceilings, modern art and plush fabrics.
My room, a king junior suite with a private pool, felt like a modern sanctuary. Swathed in palettes of rich cream, deep pine, ocean blues, and soft earth tones, the open layout made it feel even more spacious than it already was. From my bed, I had a direct view of the open bathroom, which featured a standalone soaking tub bordering my living space, all of which was connected to a large private deck situated under a shaded lounge area and a plunge pool with direct views to the sea.
While there’s no shortage of epicures traveling through the Moroccan capital, I managed to have all of my meals at the hotel given the extensive range of authentic food offerings on the property. At La Brise Brasserie, the hotel’s main restaurant that serves an up-market French and Moroccan all-day menu, from traditional Moroccan breakfasts to aromatic tajines for dinner, the staff was quick to teach me about the local flavors and delicacies with the sort of warmth and pride you hope to find in places like this, but rarely do. At breakfast, one server watched as I placed a traditional Moroccan pancake onto my plate, called khobz, and he encouraged me to fill it with amlou, a local spread made of almond, argan oil and honey; “That’s what we like to do here,” he told me with boyish enthusiasm. Suffice to say, it was delicious.
After breakfast, I set out to explore the city’s cultural sites and artistic offerings. Deeply rooted in arts and culture, Rabat is home to beautiful imperial gardens, minarets (distinct architectural towers on mosques wherein the Muslim call to prayer is sent out), and wide avenues.
Energized by the city, I returned to the hotel and enjoyed a few cocktails at L’Oursin at sunset alongside other guests who were finishing their late alfresco lunches by the pool. Later that evening, I visited the hotel’s third restaurant, 99 Sushi Bar Restaurant, a leader in Japanese gastronomy across Europe and its first outpost in Morocco, where I indulged in a fresh sashimi tasting platter.
The next morning, I paid a visit to the hotel’s expansive spa, which spans two floors with various treatment rooms and shared facilities. Deciding between a traditional Moroccan hammam or a massage, I ultimately opted for the Exhilarating Waves Massage, a soothing treatment carried out on a waterbed, of sorts, which created a weightless, floating-like sensation that was absolutely sublime. Following the treatment, I spent a few hours indulging in the spa’s facilities, transitioning between the steam room, sauna and jacuzzi located on the spa’s outdoor terrace.
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Feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated ahead of my flight back to Paris, I eventually floated my way over to Feuillage, the hotel’s vibrant tea lounge adjacent to the lobby, where I topped off my stay by letting the bartender guide me through their selection of premium Moroccan teas (I settled on the fresh mint verbena).
Inhaling the aromas slowly as I sipped, I took a deep breath and paused to reflect. Not only did my trip surpass expectations—which is saying a lot from a travel writer—but it turned out to be much more than just a solo wellness reset, thanks largely in part to my choice in hotel. Melding the historic authenticity of Morocco’s capital city with modern design and luxe amenities, Conrad Rabat Arzana provided everything I needed for a restorative trip, from the sanctuary-like spa to world-class cuisine. It wasn’t until I was back home in Paris that I realized: I felt as good as new.