New Book Chronicles History of Marrakech's Legendary Mamounia Hotel
The new book by French journalist Laurence Benaïm, released by Assouline, explores La Mamounia, a luxurious hotel in Marrakech that first opened its doors in 1923. This 208-page work emphasizes the hotel's architectural significance and its famous visitors from various fields, including art, literature, and politics. The establishment is named after an 18th-century garden, a gift from Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah to Prince Moulay Mamoun, showcasing a blend of Art Deco and Moroccan styles. Significant renovations took place in 1986 and 2023. Esteemed guests have included Winston Churchill, Paul Bowles, and the Rolling Stones. La Mamounia is also the venue for the 1-54 Marrakech art fair and the Marrakech International Film Festival, and Conde Nast honored it as the best hotel globally in 2018 and 2021.
Key facts
- La Mamounia hotel opened in 1923 in Marrakech, Morocco.
- New book by Laurence Benaïm published by Assouline (208 pages).
- Hotel named after 18th-century garden gifted by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah to Prince Moulay Mamoun.
- Original architects: Henri Prost and Antoine Marchisio.
- Jacques Majorelle decorated the salon bearing his name.
- 1986 renovation by André Paccard doubled size and added three riads.
- Latest renovation (2023) by Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku.
- Hotel hosts 1-54 Marrakech contemporary African art fair since 2017.
- Winston Churchill painted a dozen canvases there, including 'Sunset over the Atlas mountains'.
- Crosby, Stills & Nash composed 'Marrakesh Express' at the hotel in 1969.
- Alfred Hitchcock filmed scenes for 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' (1956) at the hotel.
- Conde Nast ranked La Mamounia best hotel in the world in 2018 and 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Laurence Benaïm
- Jacques Majorelle
- David Hockney
- Winston Churchill
- Hassan El Glaoui
- Nicolas de Staël
- Paul Bowles
- Jane Bowles
- Yves Saint-Laurent
- Pierre Bergé
- Maurice Ravel
- Crosby, Stills & Nash
- Jacques Brel
- Elton John
- Dalida
- Rolling Stones
- Alfred Hitchcock
- James Stewart
- Doris Day
- Charlie Chaplin
- Catherine Deneuve
- Michel Bassompierre
- Pierre Hermé
- Patrick Jouin
- Sanjit Manku
- André Paccard
- Henri Prost
- Antoine Marchisio
- Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah
- Moulay Mamoun
- Pierre Jochem
Institutions
- Assouline
- Conde Nast
- 1-54 Marrakech
- Marrakech International Film Festival
- Gaveau
- Versace
- Kenzo
- Valentino
- Jean Paul Gaultier
Locations
- Marrakech
- Morocco
- Atlas mountains
- Londra
- Singapore
- Thailand
- China
- India
- Alsace
- Giardini Menara
- Giardini Majorelle