Tea In The Sahara

By Author: John Santos
Total Articles: 40
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The estate, long known for the legendary gardens given as a wedding gift to Prince Moulay Mamoun by his father, King Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, now features an indulgent 27,000 square foot spa, 136 guest rooms, 71 suites, 3 Riads, and 4 world-class restaurants.

The four restaurants offer a unique combination of European and Moroccan cuisine, all under the expert guidance of Fabine Lason, Executive Chef of La Mamounia. Additionally, two of La Mamounia's restaurants, L'Italien and Le Francais, receive the much-acclaimed consultation of Alfonso Iaccarino and Jean-Pierre Marocain, both of whom have received two prestigious Michelin stars. But no matter where guests choose to dine on the property, they can expect a truly sublime culinary experience. All of the hotel's restaurants serve only the freshest ingredients, with thirty species of vegetables and herbs provided by La Mamounia's very own gardens.

The gardens, specifically Al-Mamoun, after which La Mamounia is named, are famous for their history and beauty. Spanning almost twenty acres, the two hundred year-old gardens bring to mind a lost Eden, wild in organized ...
... confusion. They contain over 6,000 square meters of flowering plants juxtaposed against hundreds of manicured fruit trees, and at the end of one of these tree-lined walks stands Le Menzeh Glacier et Pâtisser, a café where guests can order mint tea and homemade pastries to their heart's content, as well as the ice cream that the name suggests. Once the playgrounds of princes, the gardens have adapted their natural charm to a more functional end. They now supply the hotel with hand-tied bouquets of red and white roses and homemade orange flower ice cream.

In redesigning the hotel, Garcia kept its regal history in mind. The hotel's three new Riads, three-bedroom suites discreetly nestled at the heart of La Mamounia's famous gardens, are the embodiment of elegance. Each provides an exclusive sanctuary, with its own Moroccan salon and private swimming pool. The soft scent of cedar lingers on the intricately carved ceilings, imbuing the Riad with warm sensuality. From the suite's terrace, visitors enjoy a clear view of the Atlas Mountains, a vision of undisturbed splendor.

Throughout the hotel, strong light and color bestow the opulence of storybook palaces while Garcia's even hand restores the structure's familiar Moorish architecture. Reminiscent of a far away time and place, La Mamounia evokes a modern day fairytale. Such a haven is often sought after but rarely found. Combining the best the modern world has to offer with traditional values, La Mamounia provides an experience so unique, it becomes an integral part of the myth that defines it, and it seems others would certainly agree with Garcia. The hotel has long been a favorite among politicians and artists alike, who enjoy its traditional Moroccan hospitality.

As with all of La Mamounia accommodations, guests who stay in one of the three Riads will be provided airport arrival assistance, 24-hour service, transportation arrangements in one of La Mamounia's bespoke garnet red Jaguar Daimlers, and complimentary, afternoon ice cream in the nearby gardens. All rooms also feature Jacques Garcia's custom furniture. For added luxury, guests who stay in the Riads are served by a private butler and may request a personal chef to cook in their suite's full-sized kitchen.

Close at hand is also the Mamounia Spa, which blends traditional and modern relaxation techniques. Available are massage cabins, an indoor, ozone-treated pool, a fitness studio, a sauna, and a relaxation room. In addition, the spa offers a full line of face and body treatments by Shiseido, Moroccan hammam treatments by marocMaroc, and hair styling by Jean Michel. Pilates, yoga, aerobics, and spinning classes are held at the Fitness Pavilion in the garden houses, and more athletic guests may want to visit one of the hotel's two clay tennis courts. According to Dider Picquot, general manager of La Mamounia, the hotel is meant to meet all expectations of contemporary travelers who are in search of an authentic experience, yet keen to preserve the heritage they find.

The hotel's restoration serves only to intensify its rich tradition. Undoubtedly a modern palace, La Mamounia caters to those who know too much of modernity, and seek a forgotten era of culture and grand refinement.

La Mamounia's exquisite Riads are available at the rate of 80,000 MAD per night.

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