Immersing oneself in the Ritz-Carlton Rabat Dar Es Salam hotel is entering a majestic mansion that seems to come out of the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. This luxurious accommodation perfectly combines Moroccan craftsmanship tradition with modern opulence.
The "wow" effect —aimed at surprising and exciting guests— works from the moment one steps into the establishment and encounters the spectacular lobby. There, a sublime rococo-style chandelier hangs from a huge dome decorated with geometric motifs in shades of green, gold, and red.
Every corner of this hotel is designed to impress travelers: from ceilings adorned with muqarnas —the classic Arab-Andalusian decorative element— to walls decorated with Moroccan frescoes, turning plaster into true masterpieces crafted by local artisans. This sumptuous mansion —with 100 rooms and 17 suites— is surrounded by 440 hectares of nature and is located just a few meters from the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam golf course, one of the best in Morocco.
The gardens are of Andalusian style, featuring a splendid pool with bright mosaic edges. Not the only one, as the spa —inspired by Roman baths— also boasts an indoor pool with
a glass ceiling to let in natural light, in addition to ten massage rooms and two suites for couple treatments.
Thus, the Ritz-Carlton chain makes a grand entrance in Rabat to open its first hotel in Morocco with an inauguration party held on September 13th. "At The Ritz-Carlton Rabat, we honor the tradition of luxury and hospitality that has defined our brand for over a century. Our palace offers a serene retreat where every detail has been taken care of to ensure a unique experience," says Christian Fomm, the hotel's general manager.
The establishment's gastronomic offer focuses on local and international flavors with a Mediterranean brasserie, a more casual restaurant for the pool area, and the Blind Tiger, a 1920s-inspired speakeasy bar.
The chain bets on a destination like Rabat, the authentic hidden gem of Morocco. Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Rabat is a vibrant city where mass tourism has not yet arrived, which is pure gold in today's times.
Its medina may not be as spectacular as Marrakech's, but it has the great advantage of being much more authentic and you can still see local artisans working on crafting shoes with raffia or leather bags. But Rabat also offers many other attractions such as strolling through the Kasbah of the Udayas, walking along its waterfront with panoramic views of its impressive Muslim cemetery, or visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art.