Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr is set for its grand opening in early 2024, ushering in a new chapter for a landmark location in the heart of Morocco’s capital.

Once a Sultan’s summer residence and later a military hospital, the historic Kasr Al Bahr – or the palace by the sea – is evolving again, now as a Four Seasons hotel. Spread across five hectares of landscaped gardens, the fully restored and enhanced property comprises six heritage and five new buildings.

“Our new property in Rabat is an excellent complement to our established hotels in Casablanca and Marrakech, providing guests a new opportunity to experience Morocco with Four Seasons,” says Adrian Messerli, President of Hotel Operations for EMEA. “No detail has been overlooked by our esteemed owner partners at Atlantic Coast Hospitality in restoring, renovating and enhancing this important site as a setting for a new era of luxury and glamour in the city, with the personalised service and genuine heart that characterises the Four Seasons experience the world over.”

Accommodations include 200 guestrooms and suites, most with balconies or terraces with ocean or lush garden views. A highlight is the Sultan’s Riad, spread over two floors within a restored 18th-century heritage building with a private infinity-style pool, encompassing close to 1,000m2 of appointed rooms accommodating parties of up to six adults and three children.

Set to become a dining and drinking destination for both local residents and visitors to the capital, Four Seasons’ signature experiences will include Brasserie Marie for classic French cuisine, Verdello for ingredient-driven Mediterranean fare, and, beckoning guests with aromas of freshly baked breads and pizzas, the more casual Flamme by the two outdoor pools. Noora Lobby Lounge offers a luxurious afternoon tea service, while a team of creative mixologists will showcase international cocktail trends at Bar Atlantique. True connoisseurs will want to seek out the Cigar Bar, hidden within the palace’s oldest building, for fine cigars and rare cognacs and whiskeys.

An indoor saltwater pool is at the heart of the hotel’s spa complex, which includes a traditional Moroccan hammam, private treatment rooms, full-service salon and 24-hour fitness centre with an outdoor terrace for yoga classes. Two outdoor pools – including a resort-style pool and an ocean-view infinity pool – are set amid gardens with palm, olive and citrus trees.

Boasting 2,700m2 of event spaces, including a Royal Ballroom accommodating up to 1,000 guests, Four Seasons is set to become a key address in Rabat for meetings and conferences. There’s also a junior ballroom, seven breakout rooms and a private, open-air terrace. Weddings can also be hosted thanks to a private salon adjacent to the ballroom, on-site beauty services, international menu options, numerous backdrops for photography, and expert planning and execution by a team of Four Seasons events and catering specialists.

General Manager Gregory Viaud comments: “Often referred to as Morocco’s hidden gem, Rabat is a city whose moment has arrived. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its fascinating blend of Arab-Muslim past and European-influenced modernity, the city is filled with historic sites, hints of French colonial architecture and well tended green spaces. Our team cannot wait to introduce this majestic city to our guests, and perhaps even offer local residents something fresh and new.”