Nicest Hotel in Marrakech
Dec 13, 2010, 9:30 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Plat 1MM, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Ambassador Platinum
Posts: 63
Just returned from our trip to Marrakech. We ended up staying at the Riad Farnatchi based on recommendations here. It is a fantastic property in the heart of the Medina. Room 5 was a good size with our own private balcony. Our room took up 3 faces of the courtyard and enjoyed a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the old town. The service was 5 star. I would definitely recommend this place.
On a side note, we were there during the Marrakech Film Festival. In speaking with some drivers, we found that most of the celebrities including Johnny Depp stayed at the La Mamounia. It is a much larger complex than the Farnatchi and is likely a different experience altogether. (Farnatchi has 9 suites.) We weren't dressed properly to get into the Mamounia for drinks but it's that kind of property.
On a side note, we were there during the Marrakech Film Festival. In speaking with some drivers, we found that most of the celebrities including Johnny Depp stayed at the La Mamounia. It is a much larger complex than the Farnatchi and is likely a different experience altogether. (Farnatchi has 9 suites.) We weren't dressed properly to get into the Mamounia for drinks but it's that kind of property.
Dec 13, 2010, 4:17 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dublin,Ireland
Posts: 1,294
Lots of new people, welcome flightjunk to flyertalk! La Mamounia is obviously not brand new, just refurbished. Please share your experience of La Mamounia with us as Marrakech is getting quite competitive in the luxury hotel market.
Dec 13, 2010, 6:44 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 102
Expensive, but well worth it. What you get for the price of a riad at Royal Mansour is 5x the accommodation and 10x the service of what you get for the same price at La Mamounia.
La Mamounia has been redone well as a shinier modification of what it once was. It's great for those who want to be seen so that everyone can know where they are and what they're doing.
Royal Mansour is a showcase of Moroccan pride and craftsmanship, and unlike any other hotel in the world. It's great for those who value more a paramount experience and don't care much about what anyone notices or thinks about them... as it's very quiet, anonymous, walled, private.
And whatever you do, wherever you stay, do make time to have dinner at the French restaurant at Royal Mansour. Do yourself a favor. Don't even think of questioning. Book a table now.
p.
La Mamounia has been redone well as a shinier modification of what it once was. It's great for those who want to be seen so that everyone can know where they are and what they're doing.
Royal Mansour is a showcase of Moroccan pride and craftsmanship, and unlike any other hotel in the world. It's great for those who value more a paramount experience and don't care much about what anyone notices or thinks about them... as it's very quiet, anonymous, walled, private.
And whatever you do, wherever you stay, do make time to have dinner at the French restaurant at Royal Mansour. Do yourself a favor. Don't even think of questioning. Book a table now.
p.
Aug 13, 2015, 7:32 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Aug 13, 2015, 7:50 am
#22
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
Wondering if anyone had thoughts on Royal Mansour vs. Palais Namaskar and Aman. Not really interested in the large hotel chains (MO, FS).
Are there any other luxury to semi-luxury traditional Moroccan places? Royal Mansour seems like the most interesting to me at first glance.
We're sorta planning to go there next summer and am also interested in the quality of the activities and excursions as well as the family fun factor.
Are there any other luxury to semi-luxury traditional Moroccan places? Royal Mansour seems like the most interesting to me at first glance.
We're sorta planning to go there next summer and am also interested in the quality of the activities and excursions as well as the family fun factor.
Aug 16, 2015, 8:41 pm
#25
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NY/CA
Programs: FSPP, Virtuoso, RC STARS, PenClub, Dorchester Diamond, Rosewood Elite, Belmond Bellini, R&CPP
Posts: 26
For Marrakech, depends on location. Royal Mansour is the nicest and most expensive for food and accommodations - but it's not SUPER central (5-10 minute taxi from city center). Stunning and decadent, it's a palace in itself, and better for privacy. If you aren't interested in staying at chains, La Mamounia is the happiest medium - cost isn't outrageous, but it does feel like a Four Seasons and you are guaranteed a celebrity spotting.
If you want to be super central, the "hip" spot is Riad El Fenn - even if you don't stay there, go have a sunset drink on their rooftop. La Villa des Orangers is another decent alternative, and La Sultana would be my third choice - I've seen/stayed at all of these. Those are the typical riad-style lodging closer to the markets and other sights.
LMK if you want more advice - Morocco is a favorite destination of mine.
If you want to be super central, the "hip" spot is Riad El Fenn - even if you don't stay there, go have a sunset drink on their rooftop. La Villa des Orangers is another decent alternative, and La Sultana would be my third choice - I've seen/stayed at all of these. Those are the typical riad-style lodging closer to the markets and other sights.
LMK if you want more advice - Morocco is a favorite destination of mine.
Aug 17, 2015, 3:37 am
#26
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
For Marrakech, depends on location. Royal Mansour is the nicest and most expensive for food and accommodations - but it's not SUPER central (5-10 minute taxi from city center). Stunning and decadent, it's a palace in itself, and better for privacy. If you aren't interested in staying at chains, La Mamounia is the happiest medium - cost isn't outrageous, but it does feel like a Four Seasons and you are guaranteed a celebrity spotting.
If you want to be super central, the "hip" spot is Riad El Fenn - even if you don't stay there, go have a sunset drink on their rooftop. La Villa des Orangers is another decent alternative, and La Sultana would be my third choice - I've seen/stayed at all of these. Those are the typical riad-style lodging closer to the markets and other sights.
LMK if you want more advice - Morocco is a favorite destination of mine.
If you want to be super central, the "hip" spot is Riad El Fenn - even if you don't stay there, go have a sunset drink on their rooftop. La Villa des Orangers is another decent alternative, and La Sultana would be my third choice - I've seen/stayed at all of these. Those are the typical riad-style lodging closer to the markets and other sights.
LMK if you want more advice - Morocco is a favorite destination of mine.
Thanks
FDW
Aug 17, 2015, 7:42 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NY/CA
Programs: FSPP, Virtuoso, RC STARS, PenClub, Dorchester Diamond, Rosewood Elite, Belmond Bellini, R&CPP
Posts: 26
And if you want to relax on the coast, La Sultana Oualidia is a small, private, stunning boutique resort on the coast that the royal family has frequented. It's about 3 hrs drive from Marrakech, so that may be too far.
Aug 17, 2015, 10:55 am
#28
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,745
Aug 17, 2015, 2:49 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
Marrakech moves fast in terms of new places to stay, so always good to update.
There continue to be no end of cool new riads. I would probably still take Riad Farnatchi over most others in the medina, but I am pretty sure at least 3 new ones have opened in the last 24 months that are probably also pretty good.
I don't think the Royal Mansour is to everyone's taste, though it is a pretty hilarious place. It suffers a bit from being a bit too stiff, though the grounds and interior décor are spectacular. If I am looking for luxe hotel in the city and not Palmeraie, I think I would still look at Mamounia though it is not perfect.
In the Palmeraie, total toss up between FS, Aman and I guess Namaskar (though I haven't seen that one).
There continue to be no end of cool new riads. I would probably still take Riad Farnatchi over most others in the medina, but I am pretty sure at least 3 new ones have opened in the last 24 months that are probably also pretty good.
I don't think the Royal Mansour is to everyone's taste, though it is a pretty hilarious place. It suffers a bit from being a bit too stiff, though the grounds and interior décor are spectacular. If I am looking for luxe hotel in the city and not Palmeraie, I think I would still look at Mamounia though it is not perfect.
In the Palmeraie, total toss up between FS, Aman and I guess Namaskar (though I haven't seen that one).
Aug 18, 2015, 3:25 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Amex Plat, FHR, SPG
Posts: 107
We stayed at Amanjena and La Mamounia this xmas. I wish we didn't move to La Mamounia... it was not what I remembered. I stayed there 15 years ago and it was a classic dignified hotel (we got a hand written note slipped under our door inviting us to cocktails with the manager.) This time around it was crowded and overrun by tourists. The lobby looks like a cruise ship with shops and way overpriced restaurants. The service was indifferent.
The Aman is only 15 minutes from the medina and it's a welcome retreat from the touristy chaos there. We stayed in the Garden Maison which was perfect... before the refresh.
The Aman is only 15 minutes from the medina and it's a welcome retreat from the touristy chaos there. We stayed in the Garden Maison which was perfect... before the refresh.