Praised by Churchill, patronised by Mick Jagger and loved by the Prince of Wales, Marrakech's Mamounia was THE hotel in the city, that is up until a couple of years ago. Having slipped behind the fashionistas riads in recent years the Mamounia is fighting back with a multi-million dollar makeover.
Telephone: +212 (0) 24 44 44 09
Price: 2,850dh-30,000dh
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There’s not much to say about the legendary Mamounia hotel that hasn’t already been said – apart from saying that much of what has been said is true. Yes, it’s the most well known and most opulent location in all of Marrakesh. Yes, it has put up a host of world-famous guests ranging from the Prince of Wales to Mick Jagger. And, yes, these days it lives largely on its past glory rather than any ongoing sense of wonder and achievement.
Architects Prost and Marchisio, who fused Moroccan architecture with the predominant art-deco style of the era, built the place in 1922. It was renovated in 1986 but the fusion remains intact, making for an old-fashioned and elegant hotel that still gives off airs of refinement and luxury to the ‘right’ people – and of unnecessary haughtiness to the ‘wrong’ ones. There are 171 rooms, 57 suites and three separate, exclusive villas, which are all as comfortable and thoroughly equipped as you might expect.
As well as the sleeping quarters, there is a whole other Mamounia-world to explore, complete with amusement arcades, gardens, casino, several bars, swimming pool, jacuzzis, tennis and squash courts, gym, sauna, beauty service, boutiques and five restaurants.
