· Open -

1923

· 1st Owner -

Compagnie des Chemins de Fer du Maroc (Moroccan Railways Company)

· AKA -

The Grand Dame of Marrakech - The Pearl of Morocco

· Stars - *****

· Guests -

Winston Churchill - Alfred Hitchcock - Charlie Chaplin - Francis Ford Coppola - Franklin Delano Roosevelt - General de Gaulle - Yves Saint Laurent - the Rolling Stones - Paul McCartney - Jimmy Stewart - Doris day - Marlene Dietrich -  Kirk Douglas - Charlton Heston - Princess Caroline of Monaco - Nelson Mandela - Jacques Chirac - Elton John - Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman - Kate Winslet - Julio Iglesias - Omar Sharif - Ronald and Nancy Reagan - Nelson Mandela - Hilary Clinton - Kofi Annan - Theodore Roosevelt - Desmond Tutu - Sasha Distel - Charles Aznavour - Joan Collins, Elliot Gould - Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg - Tony Curtis - Christopher Lee - Sylvester Stallone - Jennifer Aniston - Martin Scorsese - Catherine Deneuve - Gwyneth Paltrow - Orlando Bloom - Andrea Bocelli - Sarah Jessica Parker - Helmut Kohl - Zinedine Zidane

· History -

Originally the gardens were a wedding gift from the king to his son. Fast forward a couple of hundred years and the Moroccan Railways Company buys the land to build a hotel.

Since it opened in 1923 the world's leading politicians and movie stars have been stopping in for a visit.

The hotel had a big renovation between 2006 and 2009.

· Signature -

17 acres of lavish royal gardens containing 700 orange trees, 5,000 rose bushes and 21 cactus species with walking paths lined with ancient olive trees. The hotel is named after these 200 year old gardens that were given as a wedding present to Prince Moulay Mamoun by his father the king.

A signature cedar wood fragrance used throughout the property.

A resident cat colony

· Rooms -

209 consisting of 135 rooms, 71 suites and 3 Riads @ $797 - $11,968

· Tales -

Winston Churchill made the hotel his winter escape. He painted watercolours here and frequented the bar that now bears his name.

A custom bed had to be brought in for lanky French general Charles de Gaulle.

· Claim to Fame -

Crowned best Hotel in the World 3 times by highly respected Conde Nast.

Several Hollywood movies have been shot here. The man who knew too much by Alfred Hitchcock.

Paul McCartney wrote "Mamunia" in 1973 about the Hotel

· Innovations -

Before WWII guests used to bring their own furniture to make them feel at home.

A vegetable garden to ensure the freshest ingredients

· Feature -

Regal style with Moroccan craftsmanship blending Art-deco and Oriental decor reminiscent of the Arabian nights.

3 elegant Riads 700m² with private terrace and heated swimming pools hidden away in the hotels gardens

· View -

The swimming pool and gardens - the historical Agdal neighbourhood - the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque - the Hivernage neighbourhood and the Atlas Mountains

· High Tea -

Le Menzeh by Pierre Herme - the first historic building in the hotel featuring frozen delicacies, pastries, chocolate treats and Mint Tea

The Tea Room by Pierre Herme - tea tastings, club sandwiches, croque-monsieur, lobster rolls, Signature macaroons, sundaes, madeleines in an indoor lounge and Andalusian patio which resembles a Winter Garden

· Facilities -

Spa de la Mamounia - 2 tradirional Hammams and 1 private Hammam, Outdoor (massive) and Indoor heated pools treated with ozone, sauna, Jacuzzi, Massage, Barber, Hair dresser, Gym in the Gardens, Clay Tennis Courts, Bowling Alley - voted Best Spa 5 years in a row by the prestigious magazine Spa Finder

Huge all night Casino

Luxury Tents / Movie Theatre / The Games room / Library / Flower Kiosk / Boutique Shops / Business Centre

· Unique -

Prized Guest book

· Restaurants - 2 Michelin Starred Chefs

Le Pavillon de la Piscine - Buffet breakfast in the Pavilion by the Pool - rotisserie and cutting station for lunch finished off with an anthology of signature deserts - Sunday Brunch, large choice of delicacies, grills, cheeses, cakes and deserts.

Le Marocain - a local institution featuring local classics and an Andalusian musical trio.

L'Italien by Jean-Georges - lunch and dinner made in a central kitchen and wood fired oven - favourite classics plus pizza  and an antipasti bar.

Asian by Jean-Georges - dishes from South east Asia to Japan, from curries to sushi for lunch and dinner

An Ice Cream Cart - with complimentary homemade ice cream and sundaes

· Bars -

The Pool Bar - surrounded by the gardens for healthy fruit and vegetable juices.

Le Bar Majorelle - French coffee, small plates and signature deserts earlier in the day. Evenings come alive with the resident orchestra and sublime Mediterranean cocktails. Named after the famous French painter.

Le Churchill - Exceptional champagnes, spirits and daring cocktails accompanied by smoked fish and caviar. Live Jazz , cigars and whiskey.

The Moroccan Lounge - a culinary and musical adventure under the tent and on the terrace overlooking the garden. Cocktails and Tapas.

The Wine Bar - Exclusive experience for 12 guests who choose one of the chef' s tasting menu paired with fine wines by your own sommelier in a friendly and intimate environment

· Sights -

• The Medina - a whole world of its own

• Jemaa el-Fna - the main square and marketplace in Marakech

• Koutoubia Minaret - on the largest mosque in Morocco

• The Atlas Mountains (Hot Air Ballooning)

• Jardin Majorelle - famous cactus garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle. Next door is the Musee Yves St Laurent who bought the gardens in 1980.

• Golfing

• Bahia Palace - full of mosaics and painted ceilings

• Souq Semmarine - for some hard core shopping

• Le Jardin Secret - a peaceful escape from the souq

· Extra -

See Morocco in 'Countries' & Rome 2 Rome in 'Journeys'.