"It is the most lovely spot in the whole world."
So said Winston S. Churchill to Franklin D. Roosevelt about Marrakech in 1943. In the heart of this enchanting imperial city and for more than 90 years is located a tranquil oasis, the luxury hotel La Mamounia.
This historic property takes its name from the surrounding gardens, which were once called the "Arset El Mamoun?. Beloved destination for discerning international travelers, La Mamounia has created the intoxicating mood of an Oriental palace with its dramatic design by internationally renowned designer, Jacques Garcia.
La Mamounia is exquisite in every sense: from the sprawling gardens with citrus trees, fragrant rose blossoms and ancient olive groves to the seemingly infinite number of hand-cut tiles that run throughout. Gaze upward and you will notice intricate carvings on the ceiling, which represent the handiwork of more than 1.000 artisans. The large and rather impersonal, open-plan public areas are scented with cedar wood and cooled by splashing fountains. One of the five bars is named after Churchill who regularly wintered here. La Mamounia spans 17 acres, yet it has just 136 rooms and 71 suites. It?s the kind of place that feels like an Arabian Nights fantasy - flickering lanterns illuminate long, dark hallways, and the scent of cedar and rosewood (customized for the hotel) seems to follow you wherever you go. Unless of course, you find yourself near Le Marocain, the hotel?s showpiece, where the...