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I had always imagined dating a golfer would mean empty weekends and a wardrobe overflowing with argyle – and I wanted absolutely nothing to do with that life.
Then I learnt that most “golf hotels” also offer a luxury spa.
But with the prospect of spending a good five hours marinating in beautifully scented oils or simply reading a book in peace next to a swimming pool as my other half wandered around outside hitting small balls and doing maths in his head, I decided I could quite happily get on board with being a ‘golf widow’.
The hypothesis was put to the test when I was invited to spend a long weekend at Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort in Morocco.
Located a 90–minute drive from Casablanca airport in El Jadida, the resort undeniably has the ‘wow factor’ – not a massive surprise considering it’s owned by the luxury hospitality group behind Dubai‘s iconic Atlantis resort and The Palm.
The geometric tilework throughout the hotel is typical of Morocco, with the country’s top artisans especially flown in from Fez to decorate the courtyards and corridors at the heart of the 492–room hotel.
The 18–hole golf course boasts equally impressive credentials, having been designed by the (aptly named) Gary Player.
But, as much as I love great tiling and nominative determinism, I was most excited about the on–site wellness complex, Spa Mazagan, which features 19 treatment rooms and a gloriously luxe hammam.
The huge pool at the heart of Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort in Morocco
The 18–hole golf course is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean
What treatment did you have?
I don’t know if it’s because they have become ridiculously normalised or I’m just exceptionally vain, but I’d love a facelift.
Every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I notice my jowls are slightly looser. Their seemingly unstoppable downwards trajectory reminds me of my own mortality, like grains of sand being pulled into the lower half of an egg timer.
But, with (good!) facelifts costing upwards of £10,000 and a few weeks of intense recovery, I needed a plan B for a tighter face with lesser costs and downtime.
Enter the Kobido facial massage, a centuries–old Japanese technique often called a ‘non–surgical facelift’.
Proving the (equally old) adage ‘beauty is pain’, this treatment isn’t a gentle wipe over and a few creams.
At times, I felt like I was being attacked by a flock of crows as the facialist rhythmically kneaded and tapped my face, neck and chest. The science behind it is that these movements stimulate circulation, bringing oxygen–rich blood to the surface of the skin.
Relaxing with a local cat before my treatment
The microtraumas from from tapping and pinching also triggers more collagen production in those areas, plumping and tightening the skin.
Finally, the tapping drains lymphatic fluid, reducing puffiness.
I’m not going to lie – this is not a relaxing treatment, and I squeaked squirmed and winced throughout the entire experience.
Thankfully the Mazagan spa has other treatments – before my Kobido, I enjoyed an aromatherapy massage, which was the polar opposite – I was relaxed I fell asleep!
Overall I loved the ambience of the spa complex – and further cementing its luxury status, it will soon be the only Moroccan stockist of 111SKIN, the luxury cosmedical range developed by Harley Street plastic surgeon Dr Alexandrides.
What else is there to do at Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort?
If sounds of nature help you nod off, you’ll sleep well.
The first morning I woke up at the hotel… the roar of the Atlantic Ocean just metres from my room was so loud I thought there was a problem with the air conditioning.
I’ll never forget my trip to Mazagan as it was the first time I had ever set foot on a golf course in my life.
I’ll never forget my trip to Mazagan as it was the first time I had ever set foot on a golf course in my life.
The interior of the hotel is inspired by riads and was handcrafted by artisans from Fez
My knowledge of golf stops and ends at the classic Adam Sandler movie Happy Gilmore, so I was intrigued to see why people become obsessed with it.
I didn’t play (we would have never have got off the first hole) but I happily drove the golf buggy and offered words of encouragement.
But if golfing – or spas – aren’t your idea of fun, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy, including horse riding, tennis, padel and swimming either in the sea or in the hotel’s enormous pool.
There’s also a casino, the largest in North Africa.
The resort is a 20-minute drive from the nearest city, El Jadida, so we decided to make the most of the dining options at the hotel – and we were spoilt for choice with 15 different restaurants and bars on site.
The highlight for us was Bushra by Buddha Bar, a lively Lebanese restaurant with live music and even livelier cocktails.
Final verdict
Unlike a real face lift, the results of the Kobido treatment aren’t permanent, but I enjoyed my tighter visage for the week or so it lasted – which was longer than my newfound interest in golf.
