Hôtel Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort

The upscale Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort has towering black doors that make for a grand entrance into the gleaming white building; once inside, guests are given welcome pastries, tea, and juice. Through the reception area, the lobby opens up into a wide open-air lounge, flanked by archways beneath a retractable dome ceiling. Teak furnishings, ornate lamps, and palm trees decorate the common spaces, which flow into an expansive outdoor garden that melds modern leisure with the atmosphere of a Moroccan oasis. Restaurants feel open and airy, with earth tones and wood accents, while other common spaces feature bright oranges and cool grays against natural stone. The whole effect is soothing and breezy, which primarily attracts couples to the resort.

The resort is located along the ocean, at the far southern end of the city's beach promenade. This pathway separates many hotels from the wide stretch of golden sand that makes Agadir southern Morocco's biggest tourist destination. The Sofitel isn't within walking distance to shopping and dining in the city center, but it's only about 10 minutes away by car. The 27-hole Club Med Les Dunes golf course south of the city is about a 12-minute drive from the resort. The Suq al-Had market and the Agadir Kasbah are a 10-minute drive deeper into the city. The marina is a 14-minute drive to the north and is surrounded by shopping and dining. Guests can expect a 35-minute drive to Agadir International Airport.

The resort has 273 air-conditioned rooms with decor that mixes Moorish design and contemporary furnishings. Rooms have tile floors, neutral-tone walls, and dark-wood furnishings, some with minor wear and tear. Sitting areas have red upholstered chairs with ottomans or velvet window couches with decorative roll pillows. Flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi are standard, and guests can request tea kettles in their rooms. Upgraded rooms have furnished balconies, with pool, garden, or ocean views. Tiled bathrooms have double vanities, shower/tub combos, and bidets. Suites and Villas, which also add butler service. The six Villas also have private pools, and hot tubs in the bathrooms. 

The hotel's private beach is littered with sun loungers and daybeds, and for more active guests there are water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing, and jet skiing (most for an extra fee). The main attraction, however, may be the Sofitel's huge pool area that's laid out like a fortress on the edge of an oasis -- complete with bridges that lead to stone turrets and pavilions with loungers. The full-service spa has all the expected massages and facials, and makes use of local ingredients, including argan oil. Aside from the treatment rooms, there are a sauna, solarium, and hammam. An adjacent fitness room is on the sparse side, with a few treadmills and weight training machines, though it's bright and has wooden floors. 

For dining, La Caravane serves up an international buffet and has an outdoor terrace, while the trendy So Good does French-Moroccan cuisine for dinner, often with accompanying live music. The poolside La Nasse specializes in Sushi and Asian noodle dishes. The most interesting eatery is the L'Arganier Pool Lounge Bar and Restaurant, where salads, sandwiches, and grilled meats are served alfresco, on sunken stone terraces shaded by orange parasols. At night, the lobby lounge Le Riad comes alive with guitar music and the Le So Lounge nightclub has regular live bands and DJs. 

The hotel offers nine meeting rooms and conference space for up to 300 people, as well as a 24-hour business center with three PCs. There's also a kids' club available for children age 4 to 14. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.