"Fresh off its 100th anniversary in 2023, the 209-room La Mamounia is a Marrakech icon, a scene-y yet elegant spot for those who want to immerse themselves in a Moroccan fantasy while people-watching poolside behind oversize sunglasses. Towering palms, oleanders, and Aleppo pines fill the expansive gardens, rooms are decorated with ornate Moroccan detailing and rich textures, and there’s even a 20-seat cinema hidden behind the bar. Big-name chefs guide many of the hotel’s food and drink offerings, including Pierre Hermé, who brings his renowned pastries and desserts to La Mamounia’s two tea rooms, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten who oversees the menus of the Asian and Italian restaurants. Delicate Moroccan flavors can be found in Le Marocain, a riad-style restaurant in the heart of the gardens, and Le Bar Majorelle draws guests with cocktails on the terrace by day and soft jazz by night. The spa—all arches, zellij tiles, and water features—is the ideal antidote to a day’s shopping in the nearby Medina." - Nicola Chilton