As the other Easyjet passengers lugged their bags up to passport control we were quietly ushered into a VIP waiting lounge whilst our landing cards and passports were checked for us. Instead of fighting in line, we sat in a blissfully air conditioned room cooling down with traditional Moroccan refreshments. La Mamounia ensures their guests feel well looked after from the moment you walk off the plane… and this preferential treatment was just the beginning.
This year La Mamounia celebrates its 90 year anniversary and with the property’s recent full renovation, there has never been a better time to visit. Redesigned by the internationally acclaimed Jacques Garcia, this new improved palace has won too many awards to count. Garcia describes it as “reminiscent of a far away time and place, La Mamounia evokes a modern day fairytale.”
After admiring the beautiful grand hall we were taken up to our room by a friendly member of staff. He smiled as we excitedly examined every detail of our spectacular room. The rooms, though similar in style and mood, have their own character… the accommodation is split into four main categories: rooms, suites, signature suites and riads. We were staying in a lovely executive suite overlooking the perfect park of La Mamounia.
Our room was rich and decadent, dressed in fabulously heavy velvety materials with cream walls and deep red furniture. The light streamed in from the large balcony and gave the room a warm glow and yet the thick walls and precious materials are ideal for cooling it in the summer months. Fresh white roses added fragrance and life to the room and an array of wonderful Moroccan pastries and champagne provided the perfect afternoon treat. Traditional craftsmanship can be seen in every detail: the intricately carved plaster, the repetitively patterned tiles and highly decorative handmade metal tables. It is disconcerting when a hotel ignores its country’s heritage, it can disorientate me and waking up in the morning I can suddenly forget I’m even away from London… La Mamounia ensure this doesn’t happen with Moroccan culture and creativity visible in every aspect of the hotel.
Our bed and bathroom were made for relaxing… the very highest quality with every special touch you could desire. Each bathroom includes a stand alone bathtub, marble surfaces, a walk in rain shower, separate toilet and two sinks. It felt like a miniature spa, especially with the custom made Mamounia toiletries.
In the daytime there is plenty to entertain you in this haven. First you must explore the well kept, lush gardens, working up an appetite for the ice-cream and macaroon parlour. For those who crave sunshine, a stint by the Mamounia pool should tan you sufficiently, order a fresh pineapple juice from one of the attentive waiters to stay hydrated in the heat. The giant spa offers every imaginable treatment in a stunning setting, and for those in need, a hairdresser is also on site. The tennis courts are lovely if you can stand the soaring temperatures and professional coaches are on hand to give lessons.
When it is time to eat there are several options to choose from: for fine traditional Moroccan cuisine you must try Le Marocain – delicious pigeon pastillas, chicken with olives, preserved lemon tagine and succulent meat grill. I can also highly recommend the celebratory 90 year anniversary Icone red wine which enhances many of the menu choices. Those guests who are tired of tagine can choose to dine at the equally distinguished L’Italien or Le Francais showcasing the best of Italian and French cooking. After dinner pop into the Winston Churchill bar (as a homage to this famous regular visitor, the room was left in its original wacky style) for a cocktail and a touch of live jazz.
During the day more casual eateries provide lighter dishes and refreshing drinks, though after the buffet breakfast bonanza you shouldn’t need much more sustenance. Everything you could ever desire for your morning meal is here. I couldn’t resist the classic croissants and orange juice, though if I’d been more adventurous I definitely would have opted for a customised homemade omelette or an extravagant pile of waffles.
Those revisiting their favourite Moroccan hotel will never have expected such a spectacular reincarnation… those arriving for the first time will fall in love with the undeniable magic of the Mamounia masterpiece.
More information and book here.
Many thanks to Visit Morocco and Travellink Morocco.
Spa and Sustenance at La Sultana, Marrakech
La Sultana is part of the ‘Small Luxury Hotel of the World’ group and successfully offers guests authentically Moroccan five-star accommodation. This lovely property is steeped in tradition and beautifully designed. With various riads to choose from, the different rooms and suites evoke alternate characters, moods and styles, there truly is something for everyone. It is a petite hotel, intimate and cosy but it is easy to find your own space to relax. The central courtyards offer oases of serenity and peace, with trickling fountains, lush greenery and pretty pools for cooling down during the hours of sweltering heat.
With our accommodation already arranged, we sadly couldn’t test the rooms but found just enough time for a short spa treatment and evening meal. Here we found a moment of quiet despite being located in the midst of the medina.
The small scale indulgences were modest but wonderful and the attention to detail is obvious throughout the building.
The fragranced hallway leads you to the small spa which offers a large variety of specialised treatments. After changing we descended a precarious spiral staircase to a warm room for a 30 minute massage. Asked beforehand about our preferences, we were each able to customise the massage to best suit our needs. I chose to concentrate on back and legs and chose the sweet vanilla oil. Relaxed and destressed, I was almost asleep by the end.
Before supper we had a few minutes to enjoy a hot cup of herbal tea and the thermal pool, revitalising our bodies before the feast ahead. With seating around an illuminated outdoor pool and a local musician playing in the cloisters, the setting for dinner could not have been more romantic and special. Moroccan classics and contemporary dishes can be found on the menu, so for those staying at the hotel there is plenty of choice each evening. We selected a mixture of both cuisines though it was the more traditional dishes that stood out. Pigeon pastilla with rich and meaty, while the lobster ravioli was an innovative and extravagant option. My chicken tagine was tender and vibrantly flavoured with lemon, a popular recipe in Marrakech, made here to the highest standards. Following several glasses of well-matched Moroccan wine, we completed the meal with expertly poured fresh mint tea.
La Sultana is quite simply a lovely place to be, awakening every sense to the Moroccan way of life and leaving you with a lasting memory of this miraculous city.
More information on La Sultana here.
Many thanks to Visit Morocco and Travellink Morocco.
Things to do in Marrakech
You either love or hate Marrakech. Having just returned from my second trip, there I love it more that ever. It is a very affecting city: loud, colourful and busy. It can be daunting for Londoners being thrown into the swarm of hassling souk sellers but once you feel confident in the city and understand its ways, it has so much culture, food and entertainment to offer.
To stay
Riad Farnatchi – a gorgeous five star Riad in the middle of the Medina. Your wish is their command; anything is possible at this hotel where they believe “there is no no”. The accommodating staff and beautiful design is entrancing, you will never want to leave.
Es Saadi Palace – An epic but characterful, luxurious hotel with every amenity on offer: stunning swimming pool, picturesque gardens, sensational spa and several fine restaurants. The perfect place to relax and indulge.
To eat
Al Fassia – Run by two sisters and now with a second branch, this is a popular Moroccan restaurant serving delicious traditional food for reasonable prices. Try the authentic lamb tagines and chargrilled meats and treat yourself to a fragrant bottle of Medallion Moroccan wine.
Maison MK, English afternoon tea – missing home? Weave your way through the souks to Maison MK where they serve a freshly made afternoon tea up on the sunny roof terrace.
To drink
Comptoir – A stylish cocktail bar and restaurant near the main hotel area. Friday and Saturday nights host an opulent belly dancing show which takes place around 10.30pm amongst the crowds. Great drinks and great fun.
Bo Zin – this elegant bar and restaurant has quite a reputation for its fabulous food and drink. Go for the evening or just pop in for an enticing cocktail or chilled glass of wine, whilst admiring the surroundings.
To see
Jardin Majorelle – the Yves Saint Laurent colourful gardens are the perfect place to find solace and calm away from the crazed city. Filled with vibrant pots and thriving plants, you can also visit the boutique Berbere Museum which is interesting and informative.
Bahia Palace – this 19th Century building offers historical beauty, weather-worn tiles and intricate carvings; walk round and admire the artistry.
Medersa Ben Youssef – an awe-inspiring example of 16th Century Andalusian-Arab architecture. Originally built as a religious college and amazingly stayed in use until the 1960s. Imagine the students lives as you wander round and explore this huge building.
If you are planning a trip to Marrakech, I would advise three or four days there – that should give you enough time to experience what the city has to offer. If you want to explore more of Morocco you could spend three days in Marrakech then travel on to another town or perhaps visit the beach. I have heard a day trip up into the epic mountains it worth the taxi journey.
Even without an itinerary, walking on foot round Marrakech you will discover and stumble across a wealth of activity and excitement. With regular 3 hour flights from London with Ryanair and Easyjet getting cheaper and cheaper, there is no excuse not to jump on a plane and discover the excitement of the Medina in Marrakech.