La Mamounia
AVENUE BAB JDID, Marrakech, Morocco, 40000
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#2 of 20
expert-rated hotels in Marrakech- Recommended for:
- Couples, Foodies, Honeymooners, Mature travellers, Seasoned travellers, Design and architecture, History, Nature / wildlife, Relaxation, Romance
Best for Food - Expert review of La Mamounia
Every bit as glamorous as its legendary past
If there’s one name that’s synonymous with the old-style glamour of Marrakech, it’s La Mamounia. Famous guests have included a roll-call of household names, from Winston Churchill (who described it as “the most lovely spot in the whole world”) to Charlie Chaplin, Sylvester Stallone, Mick Jagger, Catherine Deneuve, Elton John and Nelson Mandela. And it’s easy to see why. Built in 1922, the hotel began as an innovative marriage of Moroccan architecture with Art Deco style. Five refurbishments later (the most recent finishing in 2009), the place retains its history but with all the mod cons it needs to remain an icon of Moroccan hospitality well into its second century, thanks most recently to a fabulous make-over by French super-designer Jacques Garcia. And yet for all the opulence and grandeur within, what makes this place super-special is the 17 acres of garden that surround the hotel – a space of great beauty made all the more exciting by its being within the medina walls and just ten minutes’ stroll from the Place Jemaa el Fna.
Location:
Although you can’t quite believe it once you’re standing in its gardens, the Mamounia is inside the medina, behind the Koutoubia Mosque, near Bab Jdid
Bedrooms:
There are 136 rooms (classic, superior and deluxe), 71 suites (of which 7 are designated ‘Signature’ suites) and three riads, each with 3 bedrooms, salons, terraces and private swimming pools.
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Public areas:
On top of the endless sofas and mini-salons in which to park yourself and pause for thought, plus the beautiful patio surrounding the swimming pool, the hotel has three sit-down restaurants, a poolside buffet restaurant, five bars and a library.
Eating and drinking:
As well as a Moroccan restaurant, La Mamounia features not one but two Michelin-starred restaurants (one French, one Italian, each with two stars); and there’s also the fantastic ‘Pavillon de la Piscine’ which provides epic buffet breakfasts and Mediterranean-style lunches. Then there are five bars – one above the Moroccan restaurant; one (Italian) in the Majorelle Gallery; one (the Churchill Bar) in the Mamounia Gallery; one by the pool; and one serving ice cream and pastries, in the middle of the garden.
Leisure facilities:
Heated outdoor and indoor swimming pools, two fitness suite, two clay tennis courts and a 2,500 square metre spa offering more than 80 treatments ranging from traditional hammams to manicures, pedicures and Shiseido face and body treatments. Day passes for the pool and spa cost from 500 dirhams.
Service:
As you would expect, service at La Mamounia, whose manager was formerly at the Ritz in Paris and several hotels in the Four Seasons and Hyatt International groups, is pretty much impeccable.
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Who stays there:
Wealthy couples and families, business people; the likes of you and me if we've saved up enough....and remember, if that's a savings plan too far, you could always treat yourself to lunch by the pool and/or do a day-pass to the spa and pools!
Pros:
Exactly as luxurious as you'd expect
Fantastic location
Brimming with celebrity status
Cons:
You'll need to consult your bank manager
More information on La Mamounia:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- AVENUE BAB JDID, Marrakech, Morocco, 40000
- Amenities:
- Business Centre, Fitness Centre, High-Speed Internet, Restaurant, Room Service, Swimming Pool
