Nobu Hotel Marrakech - A Fusion of Japanese Design and Moroccan Craft

In Marrakech's fashionable Golden Triangle, a towering Japanese bonsai tree rises from the center of a circular lobby, setting the tone for one of the more intriguing hotel experiments in North Africa.

Nobu Hotel Marrakech took over an existing building in 2022 and transformed it into something that sits comfortably between tradition and modernity – think dark wooden wardrobes studded with intricate Moroccan pattern work, rich jewel tones of ruby and plum, and enough breathing room across 71 suites that you never feel like you're in a standard hotel.

The rooftop garden offers 360-degree views of the Atlas Mountains and the red city below, while a subterranean spa sprawls across 2,000 square meters underground. It's a 10-minute walk to the chaos of Jemaa el-Fnaa, close enough to dive into the souks but far enough to retreat to serious luxury.

Location

The hotel sits in what locals call the Golden Triangle in the Hivernage district, one of Marrakech's most prestigious addresses. You're footsteps away from the labyrinthine souks and the sense-stirring Jemaa el-Fna square, where snake charmers and storytellers work alongside some genuinely excellent street food sellers.

The Koutoubia Mosque is within easy reach, as is the Jardin Majorelle with its vibrant blues made famous by Yves Saint Laurent. Marrakech Menara International Airport sits 15 minutes away by car, and if you're planning day trips, the Atlas Mountains are roughly an hour's drive – the concierge can arrange everything from mountain excursions to sunset desert picnics.

The Lobby

Step inside and that Japanese bonsai tree commands attention from the center of the circular entrance hall. It's a calming focal point, a deliberate pause button after the fast-paced streets outside. Columns topped with carved Moroccan stucco work rise three floors around it, while passageways branch off toward the bar, restaurant, and suites.

The design pulls together two aesthetics that shouldn't necessarily work – Asian minimalism and Moroccan craftsmanship – into something that mostly does. It's quieter here than you'd expect, a soft reprieve before you head out into the medina or down into the spa.

Nobu Bar & Lounge

Adjacent to the main restaurant, the Nobu Bar trades in the laid-back prelude or the satisfying nightcap. It's open from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am, serving light Nobu-style bites alongside signature cocktails.

The iconic lychee and elderflower martini makes an appearance, as does the Nobu sidecar. Orb-shaped pendants cast low lighting, and angular wooden partitions offer subtle privacy without making the space feel closed off.

Nobu Marrakech Restaurant

The restaurant itself runs from 7:00 pm to midnight and delivers exactly what you'd hope from a Nobu outpost. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's signature dishes – black cod miso, rock shrimp tempura, yellowtail sashimi – anchor the menu, alongside creations that draw from local Moroccan flavors.

New-style salmon sashimi and Chilean sea bass with umami arrive at your table looking as good as they taste. The open kitchen adds energy to the room, and there's a private entrance plus a poolside terrace if you want to dine al fresco.

The sushi and sashimi are particularly strong, and the Nobu-style Wagyu sliders shouldn't be overlooked. With seating for 290 across multiple spaces, it manages to feel both buzzy and intimate depending on where you land.

The Rooms

Forget the bright, clean-lined aesthetic of other Nobu properties. Here, the 71 suites lean heavily into their Moroccan surroundings. Dark wooden wardrobes feature glittering pattern work, fabrics come in deep aubergine and merlot, and bathroom tiles have a rustic quality that grounds the space. Many suites look out toward the Atlas Mountains or the lush greenery near the Koutoubia Mosque. There are junior suites at 46 square meters, deluxe one-bedroom suites ranging from 80 to 105 square meters, and two Miyabi suites at 110 square meters each.

The Nobu Penthouse Suite stretches across 220 square meters and represents the pinnacle of what's on offer. You get an extended living space, two king-sized bedrooms, two separate seating lounges, an elegant dining room, and a bar area – all accented with dark wood furnishings, intricate pattern work, local artwork, and that signature palette of ruby and plum.

The two ensuite marble bathrooms each feature a freestanding soaking tub and separate shower. French doors in the living area open onto a private wraparound veranda with spectacular views: palm trees, the neighborhood's architecture, the Koutoubia Mosque in the distance, and the dramatic Atlas Mountains beyond. It's designed for watching Marrakech sunsets, and it delivers.

The Pearl Spa

Down in the subterranean depths, the Pearl Spa sprawls across 2,000 square meters of seriously luxurious space. There are 14 private treatment suites, a hair and beauty salon, and treatments that pull from both Japanese traditions and Moroccan therapies. Japanese Silk and Nobu Zen treatments sit alongside options using local and international organic brands – Natura Bissé for cutting-edge skincare, Natus Rituals for ancestral Moroccan beauty practices.

The spa runs from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, and if you're traveling with a group, there's an exclusive spa suite that accommodates up to six people with its own sauna, Jacuzzi, aromatherapy hammam, massage cabin, steam bath, and lounge.

The hammam area deserves its own mention. It's authentically Moroccan, with a dedicated lounge, spa bath, steam bath, and sauna. A session here – particularly after getting lost in the serpentine streets of the medina – provides the ultimate end-of-day reset. The mesmeric light projections across the wall tiles add an unexpected modern touch to the traditional experience.

The indoor pool measures 30 meters and stays heated year-round. Light projections dance across the mosaic tiles, and there's a relaxation room perfect for post-massage recuperation.

The Rooftop Garden

The rooftop garden makes full use of the building's circular construction, wrapping 360 degrees around a central pool. It's open from noon to 1:00 am for lunch and dinner, serving Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisine alongside classic poolside fare.

The circular pool deck includes cabanas, a sundeck, and enough space to feel uncrowded even when the DJs are playing and the bronzed crowds are out in force. There's a sushi bar if you're not ready to commit to the full restaurant downstairs, and the all-seasons pool means you can swim year-round while taking in those views.

The food up here holds its own against the main restaurant. Salmon tartare with ginger lime dressing, fried lobster ravioli with creamy crab sauce, tempura squid – the menu dazzles without trying too hard.

Pizza and pasta provide the expected poolside options, and the cocktails lean creative without becoming gimmicky. Staff have clearly been briefed on choosing wine and soft drink bottles for their visual appeal as much as their taste, which feels very on-brand.

The views, though, are what you're really here for. The rooftop terrace provides front-row seats to the Atlas Mountain range, the red rooftops of Marrakech, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the old town sprawling out below.

As day falls into night and the live music picks up, it's easy to lose all sense of time. The chilled-out beach bar aesthetic and Mediterranean-inspired design create a space where afternoon drinks slide seamlessly into dinner, and dinner stretches well into the evening.