With a name like The View Agadir, few hotels could live up to this moniker, but with the stunning coastal vistas and luxurious surroundings, this Moroccan destination leaves nothing to be desired. Michelin-starred fine dining to lounging poolside with five-star pampering, The View will meet all your needs of a sophisticated oasis retreat. Join House of Coco’s Amira Arasteh as she experiences all the pleasures The View Agadir has to offer.

If the wave of sunshine hitting your face as soon as you get off the plane in Agadir doesn’t instantly bring a smile to your face, the incredible panoramic scenes from The View Agadir certainly will. With the pool and palm trees making you feel in the utopian tropics and the waves gently crashing onto the beach in the background, it’s hard to tear your eyes away. If you’re forever scared to dip your toe into a cold pool, even on holiday, you can relax in the smaller, hot pool, and still soak up a slice of paradise. The hotel also boasts its own private beach sector, so you can enjoy the sand and sea in peace.

The View has 272 rooms and suites, with the majority facing out onto this exact same vista. A top travel tip from me to you is to leave a message for the turn down service to not close your curtains so that you can wake up naturally with the morning light. A really thoughtful feature is having one set of bathroom doors in front of the tub and facing the windows and balcony, allowing you to soak up the view from the bubbles. Families can choose one of the two bedroom suites, with the twin room being perfect for children, while some balconies are even kitted out with loungers for some prime private tanning.

La Dielli is the place to go for a light lunch in the sun – why not make the most of the gorgeous weather Agadir has to offer, eh? Although a good pool bar, in my opinion, features an iconic club sandwich (with a side of fries, there’s just no other way), the alternative salads and Poké bowls did not disappoint. With a choice of grilled vegetables, beef tataki, shrimp and avocado and smoked salmon, they were as hearty as they were refreshing – and paired all too well with a glass of Moroccan rosé…

La Sensya is The View’s finer dining Italian restaurant, with a Michelin-starred chef at the helm. Herring caviar in pasta isn’t something I’d normally go for, but upon being told it is Chef Francesco Franzese’s pièce de résistance, I felt obliged to try it. Everything about this dish worked. Subtly creamy and deliciously tangy, the flavours here were all fantastic. There was that sharp umami taste that ensured I kept twirling more of the angel hair pasta round my fork, and I was definitely quite sad when the plate was (almost) licked clean. I ordered another at dinner on the final night.

The sea bass with seaweed foam and mousse was met with a satisfied silence, while I gobbled up my grilled calamari with roasted peppers and almonds. The mashed potatoes were a sign of not to judge something by its size as this tiny cast iron pot held some of the richest whipped – not even mashed – potatoes I’ve ever seen or tasted. Wash it all down with a crisp glass of that Moroccan wine again (white, this time) and if you’re looking for something sweet with which to finish the meal, the ravioli and tiramisu are both tasty and beautifully presented.

If you’re looking for a nightcap, head to The Cedar for a cocktail, while the Chay Lounge is great for a little day drink or even an afternoon tea – should you be able to stomach any more food!

Even if you don’t go out to explore Agadir, you can still enjoy some good Moroccan food. Mima Kitchen is the traditional cuisine spot on site, with dishes varying from slow cooked beef and lamb to an authentic tagine. Travelling during Ramadan meant we were treated to a true Iftar celebration – and what a feast Chef Assia Manar and her team prepared.

Starting off with an assortment of dates (as is customary with which to break the fast) and other classic Moroccan sweets and pastries, we also had a selection of juices, orange blossom milk, and the famed Moroccan mint tea to accompany this spread. A selection of starters soon followed: filo pastry parcels packaging all sorts of meats and cheeses, as well as grilled prawns and, of course, all the bread one could ask for.

Mains-wise, there was a choice of grilled fish, beef shank which fell off the bone at the gentle prod of your fork, and a gorgeously roasted chicken. With the pastries still on the table, these could be enjoyed once more, alongside some more mint tea. The hotel arranges for a line up of traditional Moroccan live music to add to the experience, too.

The service at the hotel is, quite simply, above and beyond. From calling people back home in the early hours of the morning to positioning my sun lounger for optimal tanning, the staff really do the most for their guests. One day at breakfast, I really wanted the “juice du jour” which had apples, oranges and cayenne pepper – but I couldn’t see it. Upon chancing my luck when asked at the table, I was genuinely intrigued to see what they’d come back with. The juice looked slightly different to every other day – yep, the waiter had personally gone to make me one. The souk had taken all my cash else I’d have tipped him 100 MAD on the spot.

While it’s hard to tear yourself away from the sunshine, if you can, the Amaya spa is well worth a visit. There’s the usual facilities (steam room and hot tub) but also a 14.7m x 5.5m pool to enjoy, too. This one’s heated, too (27C), so ideal if the weather does get a bit nippy. Treatments-wise, there’s the usual facials, scrubs and massages, but if you want to keep things traditional, you must go for a Moroccan hammam. Glow from the inside out after you’ve been steamed, scrubbed, and soaked in this personal cleansing ritual. When in Rome…

If you prefer moving for your mental health, the gym at The View Agadir is one of the best equipped we’ve seen. Minus the leg press, there’s enough for working out both upper and lower body, plus a dedicated mat and weights section and plenty of cardio-focused machines. There’s also a timetable of classes available for participation, including poolside yoga if you want to start the day right with a Zen class.

On-site activities are not all the hotel can offer, either. Should you wish to explore Agadir, the concierge can coordinate a driver to take you to key spots, such as the cable car and fort viewpoint, mosque and souk. Make sure to take out enough cash, but also be ready to haggle as you will most certainly fall in love with soft furnishings, handcrafted leather goods, ornate coasters, handmade crockery, and so much more. Further afield excursions to the Atlas mountains and surf school training can also be booked via the concierge. But that’s for a future visit…

A window into the delights of Agadir, The View offers the perfect escape for both a spot of winter sun and a summer holiday plan.