Pureandcure review: Patricia's stay in Morocco

The View Agadir

Arrival and atmosphere

After a 35-minute transfer, with the odd shower falling from a cloudy sky, I arrive at The View Agadir. The welcome is personal, the interior white and blue, which keeps everything light, and I wait for my room on a lounger in the garden. On the first evening I eat at Buddha Bar, a club with Asian food, a DJ and entertainment running until 2am. There's a minimum spend, though anyone sitting at the bar or at a high table can avoid it. The next day I walk round the other restaurants: chique, with a warm mix of Moroccan and Italian dishes, and a beach club with a South American feel, music and colour. Given the hotel's level of luxury, prices sit a little higher than you'd expect, and there's live music throughout, right down to its own Jazz Bar.

Food, rooms and location

Breakfast on the garden terrace is generous: fresh juices, fruit cut to order, crêpes, freshly baked madeleines, various breads, biscuits and cake, all with a view over the pool and the flowers around it. The rooms are spacious, with a seating area that doubles as a third bed, beds two metres wide, and a balcony with a lounger. The hotel sits on the boulevard, where I could walk safely in the evening too, with restaurants close by. This is a good fit for anyone after spa treatments and good food, without giving up easy access to the city.

Practical information

• Flights to: Agadir
• Transfer time from the airport: Agadir - 35 minutes
• Location: on the boulevard in Agadir, within walking distance of restaurants
• Suitable for: those who want to combine spa and dining with easy access to the city

Nobi Boutique Hotel, Taghazout

Location and arrival

From Agadir, the drive is 30 minutes along the coast to Nobi Boutique Hotel in Taghazout, an area known as an up-and-coming spot for surfers, with waves rolling onto the golden sand. The final stretch climbs uphill, along a road still very much under construction: the village of Tamraght is expanding, with the odd new surf shop or health-conscious café tucked between building sites. Nobi itself sits on a hilltop, 600 metres from the beach, reachable by shuttle, and the sunset views from up there are strikingly good. Opening the door to my room brings an unexpectedly good first look, followed by a relaxed welcome. The rooms are done out in a modern, warm style, there's a large pool, and soft music plays in the background.

Sport, spa and food

The hotel runs on half board, and Moroccan dishes appear at breakfast too. What stands out most is the fitness space: 300 m2, with sea views, a Hyrox track, and personal training on offer. For anyone who'd rather wind down, there's a sauna, a steam room, a small indoor pool, an ice bath and three treatment rooms for massage. There are two beaches for surfing and sunbathing, both reachable by shuttle. Nobi suits guests who want to stay active and switch off at the same time: sporty types, surfers and beach lovers.

Practical information

• Flights to: Agadir
• Transfer time from the airport: Agadir - 60 minutes
• Location: on a hilltop above Taghazout, 600 metres from the beach (shuttle service)
• Suitable for: sporty types, surfers and beach lovers

Paradis Plage, Agadir

Arrival and location

My last stop is Paradis Plage, a short drive along the coast, passing a small fishing village I didn't stop at because of the midday heat, which is reason enough to go back one day. The hotel sits just outside a village, so a shuttle bus or taxi is needed to get there. After being welcomed with a drink, I get my first look at the pool, split into three sections, with a limited number of loungers, as it's fitted in between the breakfast restaurant and the one for lunch and dinner. The beach more than makes up for that: the sprawling garden has plenty of loungers right by the sea.

Food, spa and guests

The main restaurant has a relaxed, well-furnished feel, with views over the garden and the beach. There's a second restaurant on the beach itself, recently refurbished, along with the spa. The yin yoga class I join is well run and calming, with sea views. Paradis Plage draws a good number of families with children, and at weekends local visitors head to the beach too, which makes it busier than on weekdays. What strikes me throughout is how friendly and attentive people are, always taking their time.

Practical information

• Flights to: Agadir (AGA) or Marrakech (RAK)
• Transfer time from the airport: Agadir: 60 minutes / Marrakech: 240 minutes
• Location: just outside a village, shuttle bus or taxi needed
• Suitable for: guests after a relaxed beach stay, with room for yoga and spa

Conclusion

Three hotels within easy reach of each other, and yet three entirely different atmospheres: the smart boulevard near Agadir, the surf hill above Taghazout, and the beach at Paradis Plage.

About Patricia

This blog was written by Patricia, who works at Pureandcure as an Allround Travel Specialist. With her love of travel and cooking, and a particular soft spot for South Africa, she's a valued member of our team. She visits a range of Pureandcure destinations and shares her experiences on our blog.