When it comes to a place where luxury hospitality collides with cutting-edge dining and wellness, few names carry the weight of Nobu Hotel. Recently, I had the opportunity to embark on a press trip and visit two of its most distinctive outposts: Nobu Hotel Marbella on Spain’s sun-drenched Costa del Sol, and Nobu Hotel Marrakech, a striking oasis in the heart of Morocco’s bustling Red City.
Though separated by a continent, both properties share Nobu’s signature luxurious aesthetic, yet each reflects the distinct character of its locale. Marbella’s Nobu, nestled within the buzzy Puente Romano resort, is vibrant and social, drawing a stylish crowd to its beachy setting. In contrast, Marrakech’s Nobu offers a sophisticated urban retreat set just outside the historic medina, blending Japanese precision with colorful and ornate Moroccan craftsmanship.
Throughout my stays, I immersed myself in the full Nobu experience at both destinations—from spa rituals to rooftop cocktails to iconic Nobu Omakase dining experiences. Each location offered a truly unique take on luxury in two equally unique cities.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R24ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R44ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeBelow, find everything you need to know about the details that define each property: the rooms, the culinary experiences, the ambiance and surrounding neighborhoods, and the wellness offerings.
Nobu Hotel Marbella review
The room
My first introduction to Nobu Hotel Marbella was the stunning Junior Suite, where I stayed for two nights. It was spacious, bright, clean, and minimalist. It had a comfortable king-sized bed, a sunny outdoor balcony, a lounging area, and a large bathroom complete with Natura Bisse amenities, a standing rainfall shower, and a soaking tub. Other nice touches included a GHD hair dryer and hair straightener, an espresso machine, comfortable robes and slippers, and nightly turn-down service.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzThe food
Nobu Hotel Marbella is beautifully integrated into Puente Romano, an exclusive beachside resort home to over 20 bars and restaurants (including none other than Nobu, of course). Throughout my stay, I ate at Sea Grill (a seafood restaurant with outdoor seating and an ocean view), Chiringuito (a beachside restaurant with a Mediterranean menu), Gaia (located at the heart of the resort with a Greek-Mediterranean menu), and Nobu. The menus are seafood-heavy, as to be expected. But even as someone who is admittedly a little picky when it comes to seafood, I was able to find tasty menu items suited to my preferences.
My first time ever eating at a Nobu restaurant was during my stay. The setting was beautiful and classy, and I dined from an Omakase (or “chef’s choice”) menu. I had lots of vegetarian options, due to my seafood preferences, but also enjoyed a steak dish and a cooked shrimp roll, which were both delicious.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2gekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4gekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe 
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzThe property and neighborhood
Nobu Hotel Marbella is nestled within Puente Romano. You have everything you need within walking distance from your room—pools, beach, restaurants, spa, tennis court, fitness club, and more. During my brief stay, I received a treatment at the luxurious Six Senses Spa (more on that below) and enjoyed time lounging by the beach and Nobu Pool.
The hotel is also conveniently located near the Marbella Old Town and Puerto Banus (both within a 10 to 15 minute drive), which I was able to explore during my stay. The winding yet somehow polished streets of the Old Town were lovely to explore, with numerous restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and boutiques that were lovely to wander in and out of. In contrast, Puerto Banus is a sprawling marina home to hundreds of boats and yachts, with streets lined with luxury cars and shops.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2oekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4oekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe 
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzThe spa
Six Senses Spa is the place to be in Marbella for relaxation and wellness. It boasts a vast menu of treatments, including massages, facials, body treatments, wellness therapies, and beauty services. It also has a wet area with hydrotherapy and cold plunge pools, showers, an herbal steam room, and a sauna available to enjoy before or after any treatment.
I received a fantastic, personalized 50-minute massage. The bed was comfortable, the music relaxing, and the masseuse seemed to know exactly which tension spots to focus on.
Nobu Hotel Marrakech review
The room
The overall decor of Nobu Hotel Marrakech differed from that of Marbella with its darker, richer design and Moroccan craftsmanship. I stayed in the Deluxe Junior Suite, which was spacious and beautifully designed with multiple seating areas, a small outdoor balcony with a street view (which admittedly was quite noisy overnight), and the same comfortable, king-sized bed. Other amenities included Nuxe bath products, robes and slippers, a Nespresso machine, a large television, and nightly turn-down service.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R33ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R53ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe The food
In addition to the Nobu restaurant, the hotel also has a lobby bar and lounge (where a buffet-style breakfast is served) and the Rooftop Garden Restaurant, with vast views of the city and the medina.
The highlight of my stay here was, by far, my dinner at Nobu. The manager and chef personally saw to it that the Omakase menu was tailored to my liking, providing phenomenal service. The food was so flavorful, with excellent presentation. I dined poolside on delicious lamb tacos, lambchops, steak, lobster tempura, and more. The wine pairings were also wonderful.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzThe property and neighborhood
Nobu Hotel Marrakech has everything you need right inside its cylindrical walls. At the circular center of the hotel is the beautiful lobby (where we were served delicious Moraccan mint tea during check-in), front desk, bar, and Nobu restaurant; on the very top is the immaculately designed rooftop pool, bar, and restaurant; and on the bottom floors are the fitness center and The Pearl Spa.
It’s also in a great location for those looking to explore the city. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the Old Town and the historic medina full of winding streets, colorful souks, and restaurants. Inside the medina, you can also find the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Jardin Majorelle, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa. I was told the concierge could arrange experiences ranging from day trips to the Atlas Mountains or camel and quad bike rides in the Agafay Desert.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R3eekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R5eekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe 
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen Zitz
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shannen ZitzThe spa
Inside the hotel, you’ll find The Pearl Spa, described as a “subterranean wellness sanctuary” comprised of 14 private treatment suites, a heated mosaic pool, a hairdressing salon, and an authentic Moroccan hammam area (with a lounge, spa bath, steam bath, and sauna). The spa menu is vast, offering signature treatments including massages, facials, and body treatments.
During my stay, I opted for a traditional Moroccan hammam experience, specifically the Royal Hammam. A hammam is a treatment that’s deeply embedded into Moroccan culture, involving cleansing and relaxation. The experience starts in a (shared) area with a steam bath, saunas, and showers. After drifting about the steam bath and sauna, I moved into the heated massage room, where my body was thoroughly scrubbed, my hair washed, and a seaweed wrap applied. I left feeling cleaner and more relaxed than ever.
The bottom line
Each location offers a sense of refined luxury and service that’s intrinsic to Nobu, yet distinctly reflects the character of its respective surroundings. Where Nobu Hotel Marbella exudes a polished, upscale energy, Nobu Hotel Marrakech immerses guests in the rich culture of its vibrant city. You truly can’t go wrong—choosing between the properties simply comes down to your preferences and travel style.
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