Marrakesh is rapidly establishing itself as a hotspot among the city weekender set, easily slotting in alongside the likes of Paris, Lisbon and Madrid. While September’s devastating earthquake has led to some rebuilding efforts in the former imperial city, Morocco still has ambitious tourism targets in its sights, planning to double its visitor numbers by 2030. One of the places sure to help reach that goal is Nobu — which, as of 2023, is Africa’s first to welcome the vaunted chain.
A stylish pitstop in the Red City, it blends its signature Asian style with Moroccan influences, and has already welcomed A-list guests including co-owner Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and Gillian Anderson.
Where is it?
Out of the cobbles of the Medina, where scooters and mules and carts zoom through the narrow arches, the city’s newer part has a distinctly more American feel: straight roads lined with palm trees, where the luxe hotels are clustered. You can walk through Parc Lalla Hasna to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square, in 15 minutes.
Style
Sleek, smart — and it knows it. With a global reputation to protect, this Moroccan outpost has plenty of unique touches of its own: a towering Bonsai tree in the centre of the lobby that practically hits the ceiling, beautiful stuccoed ceilings that typify local design, along with artworks and room decor more fitting of its Japanese origins. The staff look as sharp as the place.
Facilities
There are three pools to choose from: the lounger-lined one on the roof, the ‘silent pool’ on the ground floor, and the subterranean 27m behemoth within the 2,000sqm Pearl Spa, where the light changes from red to blue, gold and green.
The spa is flush with treatment cabins in which salt and oil scrubs, muscle reviver massages and facials are duly applied (there is also a kids’ spa menu). Treat yourself to a hammam, a traditional steam bath, before lying back with a cup of tea in the relaxation room, or head to the beauty salon for a primp and blow-dry before dinner.
Louis Vuitton and DSquared are permanently housed on the ground floor, should you require retail therapy after the physical kind.
For those not too stuffed with boules de chocolat to hit the gym, there is a free class at 9am every day, which includes boxing and stretching. Daily teatime pastries in the lobby are a fitting reward.
Food & drink
Whether you’re in the mood for a tagine or tuna tataki, the food at Nobu is, predictably, delicious. There are three restaurants: the eponymous one, where ‘irasshaimasei’ (‘welcome’ in Japanese) is called out by chefs as each diner enters, and globally renowned dishes including black miso cod (addictive on every continent) are served.
The panoramic rooftop is a paean to Marrakesh’s burgeoning influencer crowd; egg chairs and wicker lampshades hang over its tables with a view, with more traditional grills on offer alongside seafood salads and a sushi bar. The lounge is the late night spot to beat, with moss-clad walls and golden orbs hanging over the bar, where Marrakesh Sazeracs and spicy honey margaritas are expertly shaken.
The breakfast buffet could fill this whole section, heaving with continental delights, delicious local pastries (including corne de gazelle and ghriba amande).and frankly everything you could ever want to consume between the hours of 7-11am. Some mornings also feature a local guitarist.
Extracurricular
Come with space in your luggage: the souks have mounds of gorgeous crockery, cushion covers and assorted trinkets you’ll want to take home (expect to barter). There’s plenty of history to soak up at riads like the Bahia Palace; or, if you fancy getting out of the city, take a day trip to the Atlas mountains. Most will include a camel ride, visit to a Berber village and trip to an argan oil (native to Morocco) cooperative.
Which room?
Every room is a suite, and there are 71 to choose from, ranging from junior to the Nobu suite (which has its own private bar and veranda), all decorated in muted creams and taupes. The nightly turn-down service also includes — you guessed it — more delicious bedside treats.
Best for…
The style set.
The details
Junior suites start at £376 per night. marrakech.nobuhotels.com
