estled in the heart of Marrakech, La Mamounia stands as one of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels, celebrated for its opulent design, storied past, and unparalleled hospitality.
In 2018 and 2021, La Mamounia was voted the ‘Best Hotel in the World’ in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. It was also named ‘Best Hospitality Heritage Hotel’ by the Connoisseur Circle Awards and ranked the ‘31st Best Hotel in the World’ by The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2024 – just a few of its many prestigious accolades.
To uncover the essence of this legendary property, we caught up with Pierre Jochem, the hotel’s General Manager, to explore the magic behind La Mamounia, its commitment to excellence, and what guests can expect from an unforgettable stay at this Moroccan landmark.
Pierre Jochem has been the General Manager of La Mamounia since September 2013, guiding the award-winning hotel through a complete renovation leading up to its centenary year in 2023.
If you could describe La Mamounia in three words, what would they be?
If I may indulge by using four words instead to describe La Mamounia, they would be: soulful, charismatic and a beautiful spirit. A stay at La Mamounia goes beyond world-class interior design, exceptional craftsmanship and culinary excellence – it is a feeling. La Mamounia has an atmosphere that captivates and an energy that radiates.
What do you believe sets La Mamounia apart from other luxury hotels in Marrakech and beyond?
La Mamounia was created in honour of Moroccan culture and craftsmanship, and we continue to celebrate that legacy in everything we do. In 2023, La Mamounia proudly marked its centenary. To commemorate this milestone, we gathered hundreds of craftsmen who drew inspiration from the property’s rich heritage, reviving their ancestors’ skills, echoing traditional forms and recreating historical designs.
What is your approach to ensuring every guest has an unforgettable stay?
Part of our vision with La Mamounia is to set the standard for luxury hospitality in Marrakech and beyond – and then strive to surpass that standard in everything we do. La Mamounia is nothing without the team that is its beating heart, and they play a crucial role in ensuring each guest has an unforgettable stay.
It is important to consider a first-time guest and see how they experience the hotel through fresh eyes and then think about a beloved returning guest. How can we deliver the same excellence they expect from us, while perhaps introducing them to something new – whether it be a new spa experience, an artwork in the garden, a refreshed menu at Bar Majorelle, our new private cinema, or a beautifully tiled tearoom.
Are there any hidden gems in the hotel that guests should explore?
One of the most special aspects of La Mamounia that often surprises guests is Les Jardins, which seem to stretch all the way to the distant Atlas Mountains. The hotel’s gardens are a cool, fragrant haven from the bustle of Marrakech.
I like to encourage guests to wander and explore the avenues lined with tropical palm trees, Aleppo pines and cacti. We have fruit trees – including lime, orange, fig and peach – that give off a citrusy scent, as well as roses, jacarandas, vegetable gardens, and 900-year-old olive trees that pay homage to La Mamounia’s century-long history.
Nestled within the garden is Le Menzeh, the very first building constructed on the site of La Mamounia. Today, it houses Le Menzeh par Pierre Hermé, where guests can relax beneath a shady palm and enjoy a selection of Pierre Hermé’s creations – pastries, iced delights, tea cakes, macarons, madeleines, and other chocolate treats. We also serve a refreshing homemade lemonade and a surprising ‘Moroccan cola’ made from a syrup of chai tea, orange and garden geranium.
If you could recommend just one experience for a guest to truly understand La Mamounia, what would it be?
Right at the heart of La Mamounia is Bar Majorelle – a beautiful setting where the hotel meets the garden. Steeped in history, the bar is one of those places where people have always come to live life to the fullest.
Inside, the bar features sumptuous décor, awash with colours and designs that evoke the spirit of artist Jacques Majorelle, who once painted here. Out on the terrace, guests can soak up the balmy air, breathe in the scents drifting from the garden, and feel the distant energy of the city beyond our walls.
From a morning espresso to a Saffron Negroni nightcap, I love the energy of Bar Majorelle.
Are there any signature dishes or drinks that guests absolutely must try?
We created our own champagne with Taittinger – the Mamounia Centenary Cuvée – to commemorate La Mamounia’s 100th year in 2023. As a Frenchman, I’m particularly proud of that!
In terms of signature dishes, a first-time visitor to La Mamounia should venture through the gardens to Le Marocain, our restaurant set within a magnificent riad in the grounds. The menu features traditional Moroccan dishes such as ftour — a harira soup served with dates, chebakia (honey and sesame pastries), various tagines, and tangia — a meat dish traditionally preserved in a jar, whose aromatic scent you inhale before tasting.
There are so many amazing signature dishes to discover! Lobster pastilla with spinach fondue, marinated Essaouira sardines, John Dory fillet with clams, and a veal shank “makfoul” presse.
La Mamounia is a world of its own, but if a guest were to step outside, what are some must-visit places in Marrakech?
Our location is amazing – nestled within the ancient walls of Marrakech and just minutes from the medina and souks.
As a lover of art, I always recommend exploring the contemporary art scene in Marrakech. And to continue the Majorelle theme, I would recommend a visit to Jacques Majorelle’s Garden. Majorelle was a great enthusiast of North Africa, particularly Marrakech and southern Morocco. A painter in the Orientalist style, he created a striking ultramarine shade that still bears his name today.
In 1922, he came to La Mamounia to decorate a restaurant and later acquired a nearby palm grove where he built two villas – the first in a traditional Moorish style and the second in pure, clean lines. Subsequently purchased by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé, the latter shimmers in its brilliant blue tones in the heart of the magnificent Majorelle Garden and is a must-see attraction when visiting the Red City.
I’d also recommend an exclusive visit to French artist Jean-François Fourtou’s sculpture park in the Palmeraie, where visitors can discover large-scale works such as the “House Fallen From the Sky”.
What does being recognised with prestigious awards mean to you and your team, and how do you maintain such high standards year after year?
I believe La Mamounia, and the team that breathes life into her every day, deserve all the awards and accolades bestowed upon them. The challenge for us, as custodians of such an iconic hotel, is to stay at the top. We must keep evolving so that we can lead the way in luxury hospitality, while always preserving the magic at the heart of La Mamounia.
We do this by listening to our guests and understanding what they love most about the hotel. We also involve the entire hotel team in sharing ideas on how to evolve, move forward, and continually delight all our guests in a perpetual quest for excellence.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being General Manager of such an iconic hotel?
Aside from seeing the hotel and team consistently recognised for their excellence and quality of service, it is always a great pleasure to hear guests share their stories about La Mamounia and why it is so special to them. For me personally, I want to honour La Mamounia’s history but not turn her into a time capsule of the past.
For example, we should use our position at the forefront of hospitality in Morocco to lead the way in promoting sustainable tourism by respecting nature and taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint. So, the challenge to be better always continues!
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a General Manager at a luxury hotel?
Be passionate, loyal, hardworking, and full of humanity – and don’t forget to have fun..!
Read our full review of our stay at La Mamounia, here.
For more information, visit https://mamounia.com/en/.
