Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr is more than just a luxury 5-star hotel; it is a place of outstanding beauty and occupies one of the most recognisable and historic landmarks in the Moroccan capital. The 200-room luxury hotel opened in 2024, and the restoration of the historic site has been done with the utmost level of taste and care. Moorish architectural elements such as domed rooftops, arched doorways and fountained courtyards sit alongside contemporary furnishings. Covering five hectares, the hotel is expansive and presents guests with a serene sense of space, that incorporates six different restaurants and bars, three swimming pools, an ocean-view fitness centre, traditional spa – just a few of the excellent facilities. The hotel still incorporates the original name ‘Kasr Al Bahr’ (palace by the sea) and its stunningly elegant and highly considered design makes it truly worthy of its title. The Luxury Editor’s Chrystal, along with her 11-year-old son, were invited to spend a few days at this regal resort. Read on for her full review.
Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër, Rabat
Four Seasons Hotel Rabat At Kasr Al Bahr
(5 stars)This is a long one, so Chrystal shares her final thoughts as her first thoughts too:
“I wish I could call the Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr home! It was one of the most elegant hotels I’ve ever visited. Glamorous in an understated way, truly unique, with space to let each guest enjoy their own space, and service that cannot be surpassed yet friendly and laidback. I highly recommend.“
History
Originally built, in the 18th century as the summer residence for Sultan Moulay Slimane, and with its prime position overlooking the Atlantic Ocean it rightly became known as the Palace by the Sea (Kasr Al Bahr). The palace was home to many other significant historic and political moments before it before it became the Marie-Feuillet Hospital, a centre of care and medical excellence throughout most of the 20th century. When the doors of the hospital finally closed, a new chapter, and arguably its most glamorous chapter, began and in 2024, following a ten-year restoration project, the estate opened as Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr.
Location
The five-star hotel sits within an exceptionally well-manicured estate covering five hectares and looks out across the Atlantic Ocean. It is also conveniently located close to (approx. 10 /15 minutes by car) to the kasbah and the medina (old town) with many other points of interest en route too, and within approx. 30-minute drive to the Embassy District.
Morocco’s high-speed train network connects to Casablanca in just 45 minutes and for those seeking a day by the sea the white beaches of Tangier can be reached in 1 hour 20 minutes. For arrivals by air, Four Seasons is approx. 15km from Rabat-Salé Airport and 90 minutes (approx. 108km) from Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport.
Pre Arrival
In advance of our stay, the team at the Four Seasons hotel had arranged our transfer from Rabat-Salé Airport and although our flight was delayed, the driver was ready and waiting for us at the airport. A thoughtful WhatsApp sending his exact location (which couldn’t have been any closer to the terminal) with his number should we need any assistance.
As we approached the well-polished Mercedes, our driver Jemal immediately jumped out to greet us and take our bags before whisking us away to the hotel – approx. 15km away, which took approx. 20 minutes.
We arrived late at night, and I was surprised to see many people tending to the public gardens and green spaces. Rabat is very orderly and very well kept which, as Jemal explained, is because the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has his primary official residence here.
Arrival
I was pleased we arrived in the dark as the grandly illuminated hotel looked so magical against the clear night sky. And in the shadows, the smartly suited and booted gatekeepers looked even more important. The heavy-set iron gates slowly opened to let the car pass through, and we drove down the palm-tree lined driveway to the twinkling main hotel building where a water feature danced to its own rhythm. The Porters waited earnestly to do their job, and we were teased with sneak peeks of the grand palace.
Check-In
With our luggage already on its way to our room, we made our way to the reception to check-in. But before we even reached this point, I had to take a moment to take in the splendour of Noora Lobby Lounge, this space alone was enough to reaffirm that this hotel truly is fit for royalty.
All the interiors of the hotel have been designed to reflect Moroccan culture, and the reception area is no exception. Large, curved cauldron-shaped metallic bronze vessels, with intricate engravings and a smooth marble top stand firmly on an equally smooth polished marble floor that is finished with a black and white patterned mosaic border that incorporates the pentagram star representing the Seal of Solomon and the five pillars of Islam. This mosaic design is beautifully weaved throughout many of the public spaces throughout the hotel and it is quite striking.
Our check-in process was efficient, professional yet very personable. The guest manager noticed that my birthday is on 14th February so commented on what a lovely date that is and explained why 14 is his lucky number; the friendly rapport then continued with another team member who disappeared momentarily to return with his ID card which showed we shared the same birthday – albeit he is 18 years my junior!! The attention to detail was perfectly, but very naturally crafted into a personable encounter that made me feel connected and relaxed.
One of the underlying philosophies (the Golden Rule!) of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is ‘treat others as you would expect to be treated’ and this was the first of many examples I noticed at various points throughout our stay.
We were then shown to our room, taking in the Moorish artwork and design as we passed through some of the public spaces.
Rooms & Suites
Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr comprises 200 rooms and suites set across four different buildings within the expansive palace. With 15 different room categories, ranging from superior guest rooms to signature suites with the largest accommodating up to six guests and one with a terrace and plunge pool. Ohhh, what sweet suites they are!
Our Suite
During our 3-night stay we had the pleasure of calling an Ocean View Suite home. It was stunning. One of the first things I noticed was the alluring scent that filled the air. The bespoke scent was crafted in collaboration with Moroccan-born and renowned perfumer Latifa Asri, who has created many different perfumes for high-profile clients. The Iksir perfume designed for Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr presents notes of spicy cedar, bergamot and white musk. I commented, to one of the Four Seasons team members, on how much I liked it and sure enough that evening a small bottle was set by my bedside as a gift.
The suite comprised of a sizeable lounge area with a dining table, L-shaped sofa, TV, drinks cabinet (complete with a Martini cocktail mix and shaker), desk, tall windows and French doors that lead out to an extensive balcony with comfortable furniture – a prime position to catch the morning sun and as its name suggests our suite offered wonderful views across the Atlantic Ocean.
The high ceilings, heavy set curtains and stylish décor created a real sense of grandeur; however, it was the less obvious details that really captured my attention, and in true Four Seasons style transformed a hotel suite into a space of interest with genuine personality. Before I even explored the rest of the suite, I sat down and browsed the weighty Assouline Four Seasons Art of Hospitality coffee table book, written by three-time Editor in Chief, Pilar Guzmán with beautiful paintings of the hotels and brand milestones by Artist Ignasi Monreal. If time allowed, I would have read the book from cover to cover but with an 11-year-old eager to explore, the unturned pages had to wait.
On the way to the bedroom, is the main WC fitted out in marble and accented with rich red Moorish artwork.
The bedroom was divided into two distinct spaces, by a sleek ¾ height partition wall, with the sleeping area presenting a truly sumptuous super-king size bed, cloud like pillows (with a subtle Four Seasons logo embossed upon them), the curved bedside tables and the Moorish style lanterns and rugs added a softer touch to the rest of the rectangular angles of the room, that also included a TV, with the TV cabinet doors matching the marble floors and bathroom fit out.
The second part of the room was a dedicated dressing area, with floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, a dressing table, and all the Dyson hairdryer extensions one person could ask for (I didn’t even know some of these existed!!).
Next stop was the bathroom or was it our own private spa?!! A freestanding bath took centre stage with elegant arched windows above, almost acting as pieces of artwork. Walnut standalone his and hers vanity units shouldered one side of the sizeable marble room and at the other side two arched glass doors, invite guests to indulge in a powerful rainfall shower, or as needs must the lavatory (with bide). Fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers for cosiness.
Every aspect of this suite exuded space, style, class and comfort.
Food and Drink
The hotel presents guests with a choice of six different dining and drinks options, each of which has a different vibe and menu to suit a variety of occasions.
Flamme is the all-day dining restaurant with woodfired oven-baked dishes at its core offering. It’s open plan kitchen and terrace leading to the poolside creates a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere. We enjoyed lunch here and almost couldn’t finish our main course as the basket of Moroccan bread and crackers was so delicious, it was difficult not to fill up on these!
Breakfast is also served here, with an extensive buffet that includes a vast selection of continental dishes, pastries, fruits, nuts, seeds, yoghurts, freshly made waffles and pancakes, a hot buffet, traditional Moroccan dishes such as soup, harissa, couscous – the list goes on however, I become obsessed with the Amlou (a traditional Moroccan spread made only with ground almonds, Argan oil and honey) and smothered Harcha’s (traditional Moroccan semolina scone usually served with soup) in this moreish nutty delight. My little boy gave the freshly made waffles a 11/10 ranking.
An al carte breakfast menu is also available, but the buffet selection was more than enough. I could have spent all day working my way through each delicious dish.
The super-friendly and highly informative waitress suggested we try a coffee served traditionally, a ‘nos nos’ (half milk and half coffee) presented in a glass, we also tried a Moroccan tea and as she served it, she educated us about why it is poured from a height; so a foam is created to keep the aroma within the glass, preventing it drifting away which enhances the flavour. Who knew!
By night Flamme extends to become Flamme d’Orient with a menu showcasing flavoursome Moroccan dishes and meats from the grill. I chose a traditional fish tagine, the white fish was fleshy, succulent and the delicate spices seeped through. My little boy opted for grilled lamb chops served on a bed of onions and tomatoes seasoned with local herbs and spices, neatly stacked on a flatbread across a charcoal grill. Again, we were greedy with our appetiser ritual of bread and oil dipping, so we were too full to choose a dessert. The restaurant ambience, as during the day, is very relaxed, with the option to sit indoors or outside.
Verdello is the hotel’s Italian restaurant located on the first floor, with a glitzy bar at its entrance which then leads to the stylish restaurant area that has a bit of a NYC vibe to it whilst décor is very much influenced by Moroccan design. Great big hunks of Italian meats hang to dry and the counter before the kitchen is a bustling hive of culinary activity. As with very encounter so far in the hotel, the team here cannot do enough to make the guest experience a relaxed and personable one. The front of house lady engages my son in a guessing game, using FIFA World Cup as clues to where she originates from. Senior Executive Chef is Sicilian born, Sebastiano Spriveri, who leads his team to create a hearty menu of traditional Italian dishes, using fresh local ingredients. We began our evening with an appetizer of infused ricotta with apricot puree served alongside freshly baked focaccia, Puglian olive oil and Balsamic vinegar of Modena. Oh, my goodness. If that was all we dined on I would have been happy. It was delicious. There were a few options from the menu that I couldn’t decide between but upon Chef’s recommendation, I chose lobster linguine which was served in its shell, and the tender meat pieces of the langoustine intertwined with the al dente pasta and flavoursome tomato and basil sauce. In all honesty, I’m not a huge pasta fan, but this was the real deal, and the flavour combination was simple but very tasty. My little boy chose rigatoni, pecorino, mixed peppercorns and black truffle. I wondered if it would be too rich, but this was not the case, the sharp saltiness of the cheese was perfectly balanced by the earthiness of the truffle. Despite being more than satisfied with our meal, we couldn’t resist the temptation of a true Italian dessert, Tiramisu. And one with a difference. This was constructed at our table and the rich notes of coffee smoothly blended with the light sponge biscuits and indulgent coffee cream and mascarpone. We were also treated to the undisputed king of Sicilian sweets; Cannoli. Chef came back to our table to pipe sweet ricotta into the crispy shell. Two bites and this delicious morsel was no more.
Nor Lounge and Lobby is my favourite part of the entire hotel. It is the welcome space from which all other activity and avenues extend. It is elegant, sophisticated and extremely inviting. From 4pm a local musician strums Moroccan-sounding notes from his instrument. My only regret from my visit was that I didn’t have time to spend any quality time here, or enjoy a pastry artistically crafted by Executive Pastry Chef, Gregory Chrismant. Afternoon Tea and light refreshments are served throughout the day, and each time we passed through, well-dressed guests in both leisure and business attire frequented.
Liala Lounge is the hotel’s cocktail and Cigar bar which is hidden away in the oldest building (1879) in the palace grounds. It is truly lavish, with a club-like vibe and serves exceptional cocktails and rare cognacs and whiskies, with live music played on certain night. It wasn’t quite the scene for my 11-year-old travel companion, so we only popped our heads in and didn’t experience the full ambience. I guess it’s another good excuse to return!
Bar Atlantique is extremely ornate, with a rich golden and green colour palette, creating a sense of glamour, yet the atmosphere is entirely relaxed, and it is a great spot for early evening drinks, either inside the bar or poolside. Lighter meals and appetizers are also served here. And on a weekend, there is live entertainment, we missed this as we stayed midweek. Yet another reason to return!
Facilities
Outdoor Pools. The large resort-style main pool is the focal point at the rear of the hotel. Loungers, vibrant orange sun umbrellas and cabanas of the same hue surround the pool, enhancing the stylish setting. There is a smaller ocean-view infinity pool too and both are complemented by well-maintained landscaped gardens and spiky palm trees.
A pool attendant is on hand who magically appears to equip guests with a towel and check all is comfortable. We spent most of our time by the pool, enjoying the cool shade of the cabana. Light bites and drinks from Bar Atlantic can also be enjoyed here.
Fitness Centre. Is open 24-hours and can be accessed via guests’ room keycards. It has a great selection of hi-tech cardio-machines, weight machines, and a free-weight area too. Complimentary snacks and water are on hand for an energy boost; a feel-good vibe soundtrack plays in the background, and the temperature was perfect given how hot it was outside. But what truly made this place special was the view. Watching the turquoise water turn to crashing waves as the sun shone down made even the toughest of workouts feel like a joy. Even if you’re not into fitness, I’d recommend a visit just for the view (and the tasty little power balls!)
Spa and Indoor pool. My breath was taken when I entered this area. It was truly magnificent in design, and I don’t think my words will do it justice. You’ll just have to visit and experience it for yourself! Moorish style bronze/gold fixtures glint in contrast to the pale blue water of the pool, whilst natural light streams through the vast atrium roof. It is a haven of tranquillity.
A male and female Hamman (steam room, sauna and ice-room – our favourite was the ice room where snowflakes fell from the ceiling to create an ice pile) are each at the side of the pool, with multiple relaxation rooms in which to unwind. The relaxed ambience flows throughout the entire space, and upstairs are the treatment rooms, where wellness rituals inspired by Moroccan healing traditions can be enjoyed. I opted for a full-body massage and requested extra deep pressure, which I almost regretted; the masseuse really untied my many muscle knots, but I felt great afterwards.
Kids for All Seasons is complimentary and is more than just a room with a babysitting service. The programme features a whole host of different activities, many of which showcase local traditions and practices such as pottery and cooking so the children can learn whilst being entertained. We didn’t use the service but had we been staying longer I’m sure we would have tried it out.
Within the hotel there is a selection of high-end boutiques, fashion, diamonds, chocolate (I mean what more does a girl need!) along with a barber shop, beauty salon and in-house florist. We perused but didn’t buy.
There is a workshop that features work from local artists, which changes every 2-months. And recently a fashion show, again with a local designer, was hosted.
Many of the art that adorns the hotel walls is from two renowned Moroccan artists, Mehdi Qotbi and Mahi Binebine, fortifying the cultural individuality of the hotel
City Tours. We did take advantage of the City Tour, organised by the concierge and it was excellent. Our diver (Jemal from the airport transfer) collected us and showed us many of the historical sites including Hassan Tower, Chellah Necropolis, Oudayas Gardens and the Old Medina. I’m not sure what I was expecting but this was seamlessly co-ordinated. Each place we visited we agreed a point to meet Jemal, and we were free to explore and spend as little or as much time as we wished. Jemal was extremely knowledgeable and every sight we passed (that wasn’t on the itinerary) he pointed out and explained in detail.
When we arrived at the ancient medina of Rabat, the bustling streets behind the fortress walls looked like a rabbit warren and as I don’t have the greatest sense of direction, I wondered how on earth I’d find our way back to Jemal. Of course, this had been thought about with an excellent solution in place. Jemal handed me a portable wi-fi device, connected my phone and plotted in my map a suggested route and our rendezvous point. It worked a treat! After lots of bartering, listening to the call to pray, and discovering lots of handcrafted curios, we reached Jemal. Ten out of ten!
A Sense of Space
Set across four buildings, three historical and one new (which will be home to the Presidential Suite), the hotel really is vast. I was surprised when I was informed that it was almost fully booked, as we always felt like there was an empty space waiting to welcome you into your next moment of contentment. Each of the three heritage buildings are named after the oldest historic districts (quartiers) of Rabat. As you move through each space the colour pallet of the interiors change, creating a different ambience in each.
Service
Moroccan people are a nation who are clearly proud of their heritage, culture and family traditions, and who also willingly share their own experiences to enhance yours, which we experienced at a superior level from the team in the hotel. Greeted by our names, details remembered from previous conversations, and we were made to feel truly at home.
Final Thoughts
I wish I could call the Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr home! It was one of the most elegant hotels I’ve visited, glamorous in an understated way, truly individual, with space to let each guest be individual and service that cannot be surpassed.
