La Mamounia, the legendary Marrakech palace, celebrates its centenary this year. To mark the occasion, La Mamounia is offering its guests special offers, cultural events, and festive entertainment. It's an opportunity to discover or rediscover this exceptional venue, which continues to mark the history of tourism and hospitality in Morocco and around the world.
Opened on October 16, 1923, La Mamounia is a luxury hotel located in Marrakech, Morocco. Its history dates back to the XNUMXth century, when Alaouite Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah gave each of his four sons an estate as a wedding gift. This estate included a lush garden, named "La Mamounia" in honor of Prince Moulay Mamoun.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the estate was converted into a hotel to create a resort for Europe's elite. The hotel opened on October 1923, XNUMX, and quickly became a popular destination for many prominent figures from the political, artistic, and cultural worlds, including Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Nicole Kidman, Yves Saint Laurent, and Barack Obama.
To celebrate its centenary, La Mamounia hosted a series of special events and VIP receptions from October 4 to 8, 2023. These included a design competition titled "Tell Me the Story of La Mamounia in Six Plates," where design, architecture, and fashion students were invited to design a commemorative plate for the establishment's centenary. A selection of 10 works was exhibited at La Mamounia. The festivities culminated in an unforgettable evening attended by 2.000 guests.
Over the years, La Mamounia, designed in 1923 by architects Prost and Marchisio, has undergone several renovations and extensions, while preserving its original charm and style. It has successfully blended traditional Moroccan architecture with modern comfort, and reflected the culture andlifestyle of the country. Already in 2020, many places are being renovated like the Tea Room by Pierre Hermé Asian restaurants et the Italian by Jean-Georges, the bar The Churchill, the Pool Pavilion, the Pool Bar, the creation of the Tents, the Wine Bar, the Moroccan Restaurant et the club.
In 2023, the renowned duo Patrick Jouin et Sanjit Manku has succeeded in a crazy challenge: breathing new life into the spaces and recreating a new energy within the building through new places that are both attractive and friendly.
Home
To create a seamless transition between the outdoors and the indoors, Moorish inspiration is a given. A touch of Art Deco enhances the whole experience. Two lounges with multifaceted curves are specially designed to welcome guests, allowing them to immerse themselves in the local culture through artwork depicting scenes of Moroccan life, while savoring it with a sip of mint tea. The reception desks have been redesigned to promote seamless connections and create a more spacious environment.
The Alcoves
The Alcoves transport visitors to a world of mystery and exoticism. These intimate spaces recall a bygone era, when travelers gathered in Moroccan oases to recharge their batteries and be enchanted by the idyllic beauty of the places. To recreate this intimate atmosphere, Patrick Jouin et Sanjit Manku were inspired by the large benches known as "sedari" found in Moroccan interior design. Each niche tells a story through a specific theme for a true immersion in heritage and tradition.
The Lobby
In this space, the cabinet Jouin Manku has developed an unusual element: the Centennial Candlestick, renamed the Jewel of the Great Lady, which blends harmoniously into the pyramidal ceiling and embodies the fusion of two stories… a tribute to Moroccan arts and traditions and Berber femininity, while emphasizing contemporary know-how. Inspired by “Tamazight,” a traditional piece of jewelry passed down from generation to generation, it was imagined as a luminous sculpture. Like two necklaces suspended in the air, recalling the splendor of Berber ornaments, their disproportionate dimensions retain a visual lightness so that the gaze can embrace other spatial perspectives.
The Salon of Honor
The Salon d'Honneur becomes the La Mamounia museum, with a " Wall of Fame » with wall installations highlighting portraits of celebrities who have stayed at the Palace, and a multi-sided display case housing the guest books. The iconic Dromedary statue is highlighted by its central position, making it fully visible. The arrangement of the furniture reshapes the space, and a large central lounge encourages conviviality. The blue hues chosen recall the mosaics on the walls and staircases of the space.
The Majorelle Bar
The murals of painter Jacques Majorelle, known for his iconic yellow and green motifs, were the starting point for the interior designers' inspiration. The expansion of the space is first enhanced by the play of glass and light now offered by the grand aisle. The harmony between the decoration and the furnishings is achieved through the designs of the various elements, the Art Deco style, and the silhouette of the Majorelle Fresco. The space perfectly echoes the painter's work, creating a harmonious whole.
The Majorelle Room
We wanted to create a new use by relocating the old Italian bar to create the Salon Majorelle. This space boasts breathtaking views of the palm grove, with special attention paid to the existing bay windows, making them more transparent to allow the view to escape. It's the ideal space to enjoy a winter lounge while creating a harmonious connection between the interior and exterior spaces.
Celebrating the centenary of La Mamounia is the perfect time to come and discover or rediscover this jewel of the world's hospitality industry, which has stood the test of time with grace and elegance.
Patrick Koune
