La Mamounia

A luxury legend in the heart of Marrakech, La Mamounia will astound and delight in equal measure. The attention to detail here is second to none; the staff are impeccably trained and the interiors simply stunning. As you enter the property you will be greeted by a low lit, quiet, yet vast reception area where the team will ensure that check-in runs seamlessly. Sit back in deep red chenille chairs and sofas, admire the art works adorning the walls and the amazing light fittings, whilst all the minutiae are taken care of. There are 209 rooms and suites in total, so it’s not small, yet with the personal touch and high levels of service it feels far more intimate. The décor is outstanding throughout: beautiful mosaic tiling, thick carpets covering tiled floors, intricately carved plaster works, painted and carved ceilings and luxurious grandeur everywhere you look. Beds are supremely comfortable with dramatic studded leather headboards and the marble bathrooms are nothing short of magnificent with their traditionally painted doors, claw footed tubs, double sinks and rain showers. All come with outdoor balcony or terrace and the best have garden views (on a good day you can see as far as the Altas Mountains). In addition, there are three separate riads with private pools in the grounds which are perfect for families or small groups (each sleeps up to 6). These are as luxurious as the rooms and suites and offer a slice of privacy alongside the benefits of all the hotel facilities. Talking of facilities, La Mamounia really does have it all! There are four restaurants from the fabulous, atmospheric Le Marocain for gourmet Moroccan dining to pan-asian cuisine, an Italian restaurant and the pool pavilion where breakfast is enjoyed every day and you can order lunchtime snacks. There are also opportunities for an afternoon tea to remember in the Salon de The or Le Menzeh in the gardens. Not forgetting the bars (don’t miss Le Churchill for a spot of English refinement — Winston was a regular here!), the outdoor pool, indoor pool and spa, games room, private cinema and much more. But for some, the icing on the cake really has to be the glorious gardens. Tended by a veritable army of accomplished gardeners, they are truly beautiful — and don’t miss admiring the kitchen garden at the bottom, the smell of the herbs is unlike anything you’ll experience at home! For a truly unforgettable experience in what is surely one of the all-time great hotels, you need to come here at least once even if that requires some lengthy saving up!

 

Written by Sarah Empson

• Garden
• The Mamounia Gardens are simply stunning and a tourist attraction in their own right
• Restaurant
• There are three to choose from: Moroccan fine dining, Pan-Asian and Italian
• Hot Tub
• Large hot tub in the spa beside the indoor pool
• Bar
• The Churchill Bar or Le Majorelle
• Swimming Pool
• Indoor and outdoor pools
• Walking distance restaurants
• Outdoor dining
• Fireplace
• Sauna/Steam
• In room DVD
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Parking
• Family Suites
• Shops
• Views
• Cots available
• Massage
• No pets

• Library
• Sit-out Terrace
• Good wine list
• Disabled access
• Spa
• Gym
• Child friendly
• Sitting Room
• Room service
• Bath robes
• Suites
• Satellite / Cable TV
• Four poster beds
• Wifi
• Air conditioning
• Games room
• Business Centre

• Sights nearby
• Two of the city's most famous sights, Koutoubia Mosque and Djemaa el Fna, are just a 5-minute walk away
• Ballooning
• Go on an exciting hot-air balloon excursion over the stunning Atlas mountains, arranged by the hotel
• Other Activities
• The hotel can organise a tour of the local Berber villages, a great way to soak up local culture
• Local markets
• Situated right in the medina walls, great for exploring the nearby souks and sights

• Tennis
• Have a game of tennis on the hotel's excellent clay courts
• Designer Shopping
• There are a handful of designer outlets on site
• Yoga
• Museums

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Since we first opened in 1923, La Mamounia has been a symbol of traditional Moroccan hospitality and a classic example of the great age of grand hotels. Our history is still being written and while our luxurious style is timeless, we move with the times and offer everything a modern traveller is seeking. Guests love the craftsmanship of our interiors, our gardens, our location and our warm and gracious staff.

What is there to do in the area or on site? La Mamounia is situated at the edge of Marrakech’s old city, steps away from the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque and gardens, Jemaa el-Fna Square and the city’s famous medina. La Mamounia is a city-centre oasis, nestled amid 20 acres of historic gardens, with clay tennis courts, two pools, spa and hammam, private cinema and wine cellar for private dining.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Breakfast is served daily from 7-11am at Le Pavillon de la Piscine overlooking our iconic swimming pool and is a sight to behold! There is a buffet of hot and cold dishes as well as an a la carte menu that offers breakfast classics along with dishes that celebrate our traditional Moroccan heritage, such as tagine of quail eggs with khlie (dried beef), local fruits, nuts and honey.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We carried out an extensive renovation project in 2020 that included the reimagining of our restaurant concepts, which include four restaurants — Le Marocain, a quintessentially Moroccan experience; L’Italien par Jean-Georges and L’Asiatique par Jean-Georges, both by celebrated chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten; and all-day dining at Le Pavillon de la Piscine. Le Salon de Thé par Pierre Hermé serves refreshments throughout the day, as well as afternoon tea. Locally, our concierge recommends guests try the restaurant at La Maison Arabe.

Which are your most popular room types, and why? Our Park View Executive Suites are very popular with guests for their double balconies with endless views across our lush gardens towards the Atlas Mountains. These suites offer a bedroom with a large king size bed, a living room with a sofa bed equipped with the most refined tailor-made furniture and a beautifully designed bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? Children are very welcome at La Mamounia! Our Salle de Jeux offers various activities and services to delight our younger guests, such as pool tables, pinball machines and board games. Children are welcome to explore our extensive gardens and try out a handmade ice cream from our cart available daily. We can fit extra beds into some of our suite categories. The reservations team would be happy to assist with these arrangements.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Hotel Guru readers will be warmly welcomed at La Mamounia. We can’t wait to meet you!