La Mamounia Marrakech

La Mamounia is Marrakech's grand dame and it certainly plays the part. Sharply dressed doorman survey sightseers at the front door, allowing only those who are properly dressed to enter. The hotel's vibe is more couture than sneaker and shorts. Celebrities and jet-setters -- including the likes of Winston Churchill, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Jennifer Aniston -- have long been attracted to La Mamounia. They come to hide out in decadent suites, wander the dimly lit passages, stroll along the colonnaded paths of ancient gardens, and lounge poolside.

The hotel is one of the oldest and most prestigious in North Africa with a design and furnishings that respect traditional Moroccan style. In 2009, the hotel revealed a three-year renovation and a fresh design by Jacques Garcia that included a new spa clad in zellige tiling. Three gourmet restaurants and five bars keep guests occupied from pre-dinner to nightcaps; the most notable of these spots is the Churchill Room. Decked out in tufted leather and named for the politician who spent his winters at the hotel, the bar features live jazz, cigars, and whiskey.

La Mamounia is in the northwestern corner of the Medina, close to both Marrakech's old city and new city. The Koutoubia Mosque, the largest in Marrakech, is a 10-minute walk, and it's a 15-minute walk to the bazaars of Jamaa El Fna Square. It's a 10-minute drive to Marrakech Menara Airport.

The hotel features 136 guest rooms, 71 suites, and three riads. The rooms are classified (and priced) according to view with Classic rooms located on the ground and first floors facing the interior courtyard (some look onto the hotel's roof), Superior rooms looking over the Hivernage District, and Deluxe rooms offering views of the Koutoubia Mosque, the hotel's gardens, or the Atlas Mountains. The rooms feature intricate moldings, Moroccan tile work on the walls, carved and painted wood doors and accents, and king-sized beds with arched headboards with nail-head trim. The rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, hidden minibars, and welcome amenities. Bathrooms are finished in white marble with accents of Moroccan tile work. They feature vanities with raised vessel sinks, deep soaking tubs, and separate showers.

The hotel's variety of suites range from spacious one-bedrooms with two living areas and guest bathrooms to duplex configurations with the bedrooms on the ground floor. The residential-style riads, which feature private courtyards and swimming pools, are the hotel's most desirable accommodations.

One of the most notable amenities that came out of the three-year renovation of La Mamounia was the sprawling 27,000-square-foot spa complex which features an indoor pool, hammams, 13 treatment rooms, and a beauty salon, The hotel also features a fitness pavilion with walls of glass, state-of-the-art cardio equipment and weights, and private rooms for pilates and yoga. Two clay tennis courts are also on offer.

The outdoor pool here is absolutely massive, especially given the location within the medina, and there's even an adjacent zero-entry kiddy pool. There are plenty of cushioned wicker loungers on offer, and the multiple palm trees help set a resort-style ambience. The indoor pool in the spa is an architectural marvel, surrounded by gorgeous arched columns and zellige tiling, and underneath an intricately carved roof with small stained glass windows. 

The hotel's dining and bar options include:

• Italian and French restaurants backed by Michelin-starred chefs
• Le Marocain, a romantic Moroccan restaurant with discrete arched dining nooks
• The Pavilion pool restaurant, serving breakfast, a Mediterranean buffet, and Sunday brunch
• Five bars, including The Churchill, named in honor of Winston Churchill