La Mamounia Hotel

Morocco

Between the opulent Bahia Palace and vibrant Jemaa el-Fna square, at the heart of the Red City, lies the very essence of Morocco’s artisan culture, in the form of Hôtel La Mamounia, which has been favoured by high-profile names from Winston Churchill to Paul McCartney. Encircled by nearly 7ha of lavish gardens, this is a regal oasis.

Catch a glimpse of the hotel and the first word to come to mind will be ‘magnificent’. The closer you look, the better it gets – intricately carved archways and tiled floors and elaborate chandeliers marry ancient traditions with contemporary elegance. Take your pick from 135 rooms, 71 suites and three authentic riads, the latter complete with private pools and palm-fringed patios. Expect panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains, the gardens below or, if you opt for the Koutoubia Suite, the striking sandstone minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. It’s matched with warm-toned furnishings, zellige walls, hand-painted wooden ceilings and atmospheric lanterns.

Hammam treatments and argan oil rituals in the underground spa continue the Moroccan experience, but the hotel’s restaurants take guests on a culinary journey further afield. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves rustic Italian plates at trattoria-style L’italien par Jean-Georges and South Asian delicacies at L’asiatique par Jean-Georges – don’t miss the foie gras dumplings with black truffle dipping sauce and the tuna tartare with avocado and radish. Breakfast of baghrir pancakes with honey and butter at poolside Le Pavillon de la Piscine is a must, and those with a sweet tooth will be glad to hear that patisserie master Pierre Hermé heads up afternoon tea in his Salon de Thé – pack your best silks.

But if you were to dine at only one, make it Le Marocain, where tagines and couscous dishes are served to the rhythm of live Andalusian music. After, enjoy jazz, champagne and Kaviari exclusives at low-lit Le Churchill, check out designer attire at the boutique or try your luck at state-of-the-art Le Grand Casino La Mamounia.

Doubles from £382. 00 212 524 388 600, mamounia.com

Words by Angela Dukes.

This review featured in the June 2022 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.