The Best Hotels to Book in Agadir, Morocco

The majestic main facade of the Hotel Atlantic Palace in Agadir could practically belong to a Moorish palace, with its tall columns and arabesque relief carvings. The main accommodation is within a whitewashed building, traditionally styled to mimic the villages of the nearby Low Atlas Mountains. These buildings are reflected in the cloud-shaped outdoor pool. There’s also an indoor pool and fitness centre, tennis courts and a free shuttle to a nearby golf course.

Enjoying a prime waterfront position along the well-known Corniche Beach is the shamelessly decadent Royal Atlas & Spa. Take a leisurely breakfast at a cloth-covered table beside the sun terrace, find your way down to the pool or take a dip in the Atlantic – then let every problem melt away in the on-site hammam and sauna. At this hotel’s restaurants, gourmet is the default mode but, perhaps unsurprisingly, the price matches the service here.

Proving that elegance doesn’t need to be ostentatious is the Riu Palace Tikida Agadir, an all-inclusive hotel beside Agadir Beach that boasts over 400 rooms. The hotel’s restaurants serve up Italian or Moroccan cuisine, with fusion dishes available at a third eatery – in addition to the four bars dotted around the resort. An entertainment programme for adults sees shows and live music performances, while the Miniclub is designed to keep the kids occupied while parents make the most of the amenities.

True to the Sofitel brand, the Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa is a top-quality luxury accommodation located on the beach. The key to this hotel is the excellent balance struck between the hotel’s facilities. For example, consider the restaurants: each night you can choose between French fine dining, Moroccan seafood or Le Market, a more laid-back poolside restaurant serving dishes from around the world. The same array of choice applies equally to the rooms and leisure facilities available to guests.

Are you looking for a hotel in Agadir that allows you a little more autonomy? The advantage of the Timoulay Hotel & Spa is that you don’t have to opt for all-inclusive, allowing guests more freedom to explore and dine elsewhere. This smaller hotel still packs in the amenities, such as the Timoulay Spa, with its Berber-style pool area and hydromassage tubs. It is also perfect for those who want to travel out into the city and its surroundings to explore the region’s natural beauty.

Another mega chain with a prime slice of Agadir Beach is this popular Iberostar hotel. It follows the conventional resort layout in these parts: the main hotel wraps around a central terrace with a large outdoor pool. Space is reserved for a couple of tennis courts, and the Aliveness programme – which is geared at adults – includes yoga and jogging. The Star Camp is an excellent initiative for children, including games and singing, and is split into three age groups.

There’s a touch of Moroccan elegance to the design of the rooms at Riad Villa Blanche. The intricately carved coving, traditionally inspired art, wooden furniture and earth-tone colour palette create a cosy ambience that continues into the common spaces. An outdoor pool is surrounded by lush gardens and there are four golf courses within minutes of the hotel. Surfing and kitesurfing schools are held on the beach a few minutes from the hotel.

Four blocks back from the beach, Agadir’s city centre is home to a number of excellent hotels. Among them, Atlantic Hotel Agadir has some of the most authentic Moroccan decoration around, which extends from intricate ceiling designs to hand-carved wooden tables in the on-site restaurant. Palm trees surround the outdoor pool, which is particularly lovely when backlit at night. Rooms are modest but comfortable, and some have small balconies overlooking the pool area.