The former Marrakech palace of a crown prince of Morocco, converted by the French administration into a hotel in 1923, La Mamounia has been feted and famed almost since the day it opened, making it one of Morocco’s most famous hotels.

During that romantic era of early travel, it was not just an hotel but a way of life, where a small exclusive community of ex-pats, colonial rulers and adventurers would lazily sip Scotch in the hotel’s well-watered gardens. In post-war years it was a favourite haunt of Winston Churchill who painted from his balcony, which he declared the `loveliest spot on earth’. The numerous refits over the hotel’s splendid history have not robbed it of its charm and it still retains gorgeous period detailing and fittings and is undeniably glamorous. The most recent renovation by French Designer Jacques Garcia started in 2006, taking 3 years and touching all guest facilities while keeping the essence, flavour and architecture of the historical Mamounia.

There is attentive service and the facilities are excellent. The four restaurants cover a variety of tastes – Le Morocain serving local food, Le Francais (Jean-Pierre Vigato), Don Alfonso’s L’Italien, and Le Pavillion by the poolside. Four bars are complemented by a Patissier/Glacier.

Sports and leisure facilities include the outdoor ozone heated swimming pool set amongst the Mamounia’s lovely gardens, two clay tennis courts, a fitness pavillion and a large spa offering a wide range of treatments. Three championship golf courses and riding stables are a short taxi ride away.

The accommodation
The Riads
The three Riads are set amongst the heart of La Mamounia’s wonderful gardens, each having 700 sq. meters of space to provide 3 bedrooms with excellent bathrooms, a large dining room and private pool on a terrace.
Superior suites
These seven Signature suites are each individually themed with original and unusual Moroccan-style decor. Your choice includes the Churchill, the Majorelle, Koutoubia, Baldaquin, Marquetrie and the Al Mamoun suite.
Suites
The suites(64 in total) have views over the extensive gardens, the Atlas mountains or the Koutoubia mosque. There is an expansive lounge, and king size beds in the bedrooms. An executive suite gives you a terrace and bathroom with separate shower and bath. The Moroccan suites have been decorated by local artisans for a fully Moroccan feel. Four Prestige suites on the middle floors look over the gardens, their 100 sq. meters include 2 living rooms with dining and seating areas and a walk-in wardrobe.
Rooms
The 13 Classic rooms are comfortable and located between ground and first floor, looking over the city and gardens. 19 Superior rooms on the second to fourth floors display vibrant colours of Moroccan styling and look over the Hivernage. Deluxe rooms (104) are decorated with wood, leather, stucco and moucharabieh and have views of the Koutobia, park or the Atlas mountains.