Fusing Japanese and Moroccan Traditions at The Pearl Spa

One of the top travel destinations in the world, Nobu Hotel Marrakech is home to the expansive Pearl Spa (https://marrakech.nobuhotels.com/spa-wellness), which boasts more than 21,530 square feet of luxurious space designed to deliver a sense of serenity to its guests. With 14 private treatment suites, a subterranean mosaic pool and private hamman area—containing its own lounge, spa bath, steam bath and sauna—it’s no wonder that discerning guests visit from near and far to experience total relaxation and rejuvenation.

The Pearl Spa has launched new spa treatments and restorative wellness activities for 2024, most notably the Japanese Silk ritual, which stimulates circulation and energy flow via exfoliation, hot stones and a full body massage. The new Nobu Zen massage is tailored to each individual and includes a luxe aroma oil for elevated stress relief.

The Pearl Spa’s programming is a unique fusion of Japanese and Moroccan wellness traditions, so WellSpa 360 sat down with spa director Loubna Laassairi to find out what else is on the menu.

What are The Pearl Spa’s most unique amenities?

We offer signature Nobu treatments, all inspired by Japanese traditions, like Japanese Silk and Nobu Zen, as well as traditional Moroccan treatments using local and international organic brands that melt away stress and find a balance for revitalization. Additionally, the spa is home to a hair salon and gym equipped with Technogym machines for musculation and cardio, as well as two coaches that guests can utilize for specific and personal programs.

How do you choose treatments for your menu?

Our treatments are carefully selected to offer a relaxing and beneficial experience. We are always seeking variety and diversity between traditional and modern offerings, and we choose and suggest treatments for our customers by assessing their needs.

How do you stay competitive in your area?

The Pearl Spa is well known in Marrakech for its impressive array of body and face treatments, as well as its hair salon that boasts high-quality products and accommodating, professional staff.

How are you marketing the spa?

It’s the largest Nobu spa and a luxury brand, so we continue to promote The Pearl Spa to guests authentically by inviting them to experience our specially curated treatments and enjoy the local culture of the destination while relaxing and unwinding.

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What’s your most successful retail strategy?

Our staff members recommend the best treatments and products to exceed guests’ expectations and meet their needs.

How are you retaining repeat clients?

Many factors are helping us retain our guests. The journey starts with the warm and authentic welcome from each therapist and everyone on our spa team to ensure a personalized experience. Every detail creates a special experience, from the olfactory scents of Morocco, like orange blossom in our humid areas, to the unique atmosphere where modern meets traditional in a calming sense. This continues to bring guests back time and time again.

How do you find quality staff members?

We take pride in our professional staff, and we have hired a team of skilled graduates from an assortment of Morocco’s top spa training academies. They are each carefully selected based on their passion for the world of well-being and customer service.

How do you foster outstanding service?

Each member of The Pearl Spa’s team understands, at a high level, how to deliver a stellar guest experience. This starts with customer service and their knowledge of products. We continue to express the importance of the staff’s relationship with guests to ensure a luxury-focused spa journey. Every team member takes pride in the experience we deliver.

As the largest Nobu spa, we have two floors for guests to enjoy treatments and spa spaces. So, each section has an area manager who oversees everything to ensure all runs smoothly, in terms of continuity of service and communal areas.

What is your most popular wellness offering?

Our most popular wellness offerings are Le Rituel Bien-être and the signature Nobu treatment. This traditional hammam includes eucalyptus essences, a black soap body scrub and a relaxing massage with natural oils to support well-being. It also smooths the skin for brighter, more radiant skin.

The Nobu treatment is tailored to guests’ needs with techniques from across the globe. Our therapists utilize a combination of several massage techniques, along with the guest’s selection of an aroma oil blend, creating a customized treatment that addresses specific needs to release stress and tension.

What is most important for running a successful wellness facility?

To offer a successful moment of relaxation, the quality of facilities is a key asset that should not be neglected. We’ve found it essential to offer high-end facilities and offerings, including a high-quality Jacuzzi, well-equipped saunas and steam rooms, as well as a comfortable relaxation area that creates an additional wellness space in the spa. We’ve taken the time to choose facilities that fit our guests’ needs and to make sure to integrate them seamlessly into the spa atmosphere. Guests can also take their experience one step further by booking the private spa suite.

How do you stay up to date with the latest industry trends and changes?

We are constantly seeking feedback from guests and researching the industry. We have an open mindset that is determined to deliver a luxurious yet innovative experience, while we continue to welcome local partners and share the destination with travelers through treatments and rituals.

We are always anticipating customer needs, seeking ways to create diversity and offering unique experiences for our guests. We love giving travelers a look into our culture and our destination through exceptional customer service, authentic treatments, locally sourced products, and an immersive space that relaxes the mind, body and soul in the heart of Marrakech.