La Mamounia

This is an absurdly overpriced high tea, compared to similar experiences we have had in many other countries (India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Singapore). At $40+ per person, the variety of savory items is quite limited. The quality is very good, but for that price one should get a lot more. Furthermore, the service is very slow. We waited about 15-20 minutes for our order to be taken and then another 35 minutes for our order to come. Tea came about 10 minutes after we had finished eating. We asked for leftover items to be boxed, but the server disappeared. After waiting about 15 minutes, we gave up and left without the box.

We just spent a week here and we understand now why La Mamounia has such an exceptional reputation. It is perfectly located for the souks and major sights; the gardens are an oasis of calm and beauty; there are a number of excellent restaurants, each with a distinct menu; the service is extraordinarily warm and friendly; the bars, fitness center, spa — don’t miss indulging in a hammam! — all splendid. We are frequent travellers and at an age where we can indulge, we are accustomed to five-star luxury and service. We recommend this hotel without hesitation.

Our stay at La Mamounia was overall a beautiful experience. The property is stunning, the gardens magical, and the service throughout the hotel warm and attentive. I was also pleasantly surprised with a thoughtful birthday gesture of cake and champagne, which was greatly appreciated. Upon arrival we were initially taken to a room without a balcony, although that was not the category we had booked. However, we were allowed an early check-in and within an hour the team moved us to the correct room with a balcony, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, our dinner at Le Marocain on my birthday was not as pleasant. I had specifically requested a table in a smoking area, but we were first offered a table indoors and told I would need to step outside if I wanted to smoke. We were then seated in what appeared to be a small private alcove, only for another couple to be placed immediately beside us, leaving virtually no privacy as we could hear every detail of each other’s conversation. The thing is that I had gotten confirmation from the Reception the day before, that there was a smoking area in the yard and heaters were available. The weather was extremely mild by the way and the Restaurant Manager’s excuse that it was cold and that the guests complained, as a result, they had decided to shut down the outside area that night - was ridiculous! Was I not a guest too? Who would have enjoyed a cigarette while seated and not standing at the entrance? The food was also somewhat underwhelming, and the experience felt rushed. We didn’t even have dessert, we just wanted to get the hell out of there. If I could make a suggestion would be in terms of the room’s amenities: I was surprised to note that no q-tips were offered (in addition to the cotton pads, shower caps). Moreover, ear plugs would have also been a good idea. Despite this, La Mamounia remains an iconic and breathtaking place, and overall our stay was memorable ✨

Perfect! Great! Beautiful! Delicious! Spacious!

While the grounds of La Mamounia are undeniably stunning, our recent stay was a masterclass in how not to treat guests. We chose this hotel for its "legendary service," but instead, we spent 48 hours in crisis management. The Real Experience: Habitability Failure: Our room was way too warm due to an AC breakdown. After being promised a fix and kept awake until 1:00 AM waiting for 2 separate technicians, we were finally told the unit was broken and forced to relocate in the middle of the night. Medical Inflexibility: My husband requires a sun-protective shirt for medical reasons. Management initially barred him from the pool, citing an unpublished policy. (No other 5 start hotels have this policy). If you are looking to book here, you know the pool is a main amenity. It took two days of stress and a threat to check out before they allowed a basic medical exception. Management Neglect: During these incidents, my direct messages to the guest relations team went completely ignored for days. The Final Insult: After these systemic failures, the hotel offered a meager $60 credit for an airport transfer and then forgot to book the airport transfer they promised, nearly causing us to miss our flight. The Aftermath: Upon following up, the hotel sent a polished email claiming they were "fully available" to us. This is demonstrably false. Being ignored in real-time and then gaslit via email is not the "Palace" experience. Save your money and go elsewhere. Marrakesh has plenty of high end choices.