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AVENUE BAB JDID
MARRAKECH 40000, MOROCCO
| View map
- Price Range:
Top end
- Neighbourhood:
Kasbah
- Atmosphere:
Opulent and Busy
Lonely Planet Review
What's left to say about the Mamounia, Marrakesh's most famous luxury hotel? It's a Moroccan Art Deco dream concocted back in 1922 when kings and colonials sashayed through its grand entrance. In 1986 a kitsch makeover transformed its Old World elegance into something a little more brassy and brash. Sure the fittings glitter, but has it lost its soul?
Nowadays the Mamounia is Marrakesh's slice of Vegas, a world unto itself of endless corridors, amusement arcades, manicured gardens, a casino, restaurants, bars, boutiques and beauty spas. In total there are 171 rooms, 57 suites and three exclusive three-bedroomed villas. like Vegas, the Mamounia experience is a must for many and it's still the hotel of choice for the King. This may explain the frostiness of many staff members, who reserve their best face for those who look the part. Between 10:00 and 16:00 the hotel generally opens its doors to the riffraff, allowing them (well, us) to wander the lobby and lush gardens. Sneakers and shorts are not allowed; 'bouncers' in fezzes enforce the dress code at the door.
Review by author Paula Hardy
How To Get There
DIRECTION TO THE PROPERTY FROM NORTH -
AIRPORTS/AREA TRANSPORTATION- THE TRANSFER FROM
MARRAKESH AIRPORT CAN BE ORGANISED AS FOLLOWS- WITH
THE MAMOUNIA MERCEDES CAR AT 400 DIRHAMS PER WAY WITH
THE MAMOUNIA BUS COMPLIMENTARY TAXIS ARE AVAILABLE AT
THE AIRPORT THE TRANSFER FROM MOHAMED V AIRPORT IN
CASABLANCA CAN BE ORGANISED- WITH THE MAMOUNIA MERCEDS
CAR -ON REQUEST- AT 5200 DIRHAMS PER WAY WITH A
PRIVATE CAR AT 1320 DIRHAMS PER WAY THE TRANSFER FROM
AGADIR CAN BE ORGANISED- WITH THE MAMOUNIA MERCEDS CAR
-ON REQUEST- AT 5000 DIRHAMS PER WAY WITH A PRIVATE
CAR AT 2000 DIRHAMS PER WAY THE TRANSFER TO FEZ CAN BE
ARRANGED WITH A PRIVATE CAR AT 2900 DIRHAMS --ALL
THESE RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Nearby Points of Interest
Check-in/Check-out
Earliest check-in:
3:00 PM
Latest check-out time:
12:00 AM
Author Tip
If you're into all the falderal of La Mamounia then you'll probably be up for the evening caleche (horse-drawn carriage) ride around the town, where you can practise your royal wave. You may then need a stiff drink in the Churchill bar before swapping megabucks for mayhem in that other great theatre: the Djemaa el-Fna.
Curious Fact
Before the French Administration annexed it for a hotel, the Mamounia was the palace of the crown prince of Morocco and it's still a 'royal' hotel. Mohammed VI celebrated his accession to the throne here and astonished everyone when he insisted on paying for his own drinks.