i IIaa I aa^a a Designed in 1922 by architects Frost <strong>and</strong> Marchisio, La Mamounia managed to combine <strong>the</strong> Moroccan architectural tradition with <strong>the</strong> very latest in Art Deco design. La Mamounia takes its name from <strong>the</strong> surrounding gardens, which were once called <strong>the</strong> "Arset El Mamoun." Two centuries old, <strong>the</strong>se gardens, usually referred to as a park, have a history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own. The Park once belonged to <strong>the</strong> Prince Moulay Mamoun, <strong>the</strong> fourth son <strong>of</strong> Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, who reigned in <strong>the</strong> 18th century. It was customary for <strong>the</strong> Sultan to <strong>of</strong>fer his sons, as a wedding gift, a house <strong>and</strong> garden located outside <strong>the</strong> Kasbah. For his marriage present, Moulay Mamoun received <strong>the</strong> park, which has since always carried his name. It is said that <strong>the</strong> prince used to hold extraordinary garden parties here. The magnificent garden remaining from such royal revelry adds to <strong>the</strong> pleasure <strong>of</strong> present-day guests, as much by its size (nearly 20 acres) as by its unusual flora. Designed in 1922 by architects Prost <strong>and</strong> Marchisio, La Mamounia managed to combine <strong>the</strong> Moroccan architectural tradition with <strong>the</strong> very latest in Art Deco design <strong>and</strong> decoration. The hotel originally had 100 rooms, but was exp<strong>and</strong>ed in 1946, 1950 <strong>and</strong> 1953, <strong>and</strong> now includes nearly 200 rooms. In 1986, a vast renovation programme took place to create <strong>the</strong> look <strong>of</strong> today's La Mamounia. A larger <strong>and</strong> wider main entrance was constructed, incorporating <strong>the</strong> traditional elements <strong>of</strong> Moroccan architecture: columns, arches <strong>and</strong> painted wooden doors. The porch, dating from <strong>the</strong> 1920s, has remained intact <strong>and</strong> opens into <strong>the</strong> 1920s style "Salon <strong>of</strong> Honor." The salon has also remained <strong>the</strong> same with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> a large chimney, added during renovation, which accentuates <strong>the</strong> room's ceremonial character. Today this entrance is used when welcoming guests <strong>of</strong> honour. Throughout <strong>the</strong> year, from <strong>the</strong> four corners <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> globe, visitors come <strong>and</strong> go at hotel La Mamounia. Before <strong>the</strong> Second World War, guests from Europe <strong>and</strong> America even brought <strong>the</strong>ir own furniture, so that <strong>the</strong>y could enjoy <strong>the</strong> exotic surroundings while still feeling "at home" in <strong>the</strong>ir rooms. Longtime employees at <strong>the</strong> hotel still tell stories about <strong>the</strong> stately dinners for which <strong>the</strong> men dressed in top hats <strong>and</strong> tails <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> women, bedecked with exquisite jewels, wore long evening gowns. Of <strong>the</strong> many famous people who have visited La Mamounia, <strong>Churchill</strong> is <strong>the</strong> most renowned. He would w<strong>and</strong>er from balcony to balcony, following <strong>the</strong> sun on its daily route in order to render <strong>the</strong> colour <strong>of</strong> his painting as real as possible. Several <strong>of</strong> his paintings <strong>of</strong> La Mamounia's gardens hang in Engl<strong>and</strong>. General Charles de Gaulle also stayed in <strong>the</strong> hotel after <strong>the</strong> Casablanca Conference. The director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hotel was obliged to have a special bed made to accommodate <strong>the</strong> General's considerable height. Over <strong>the</strong> years <strong>the</strong> reputation <strong>of</strong> Marrakech <strong>and</strong> La Mamounia have attracted <strong>the</strong> attention <strong>of</strong> both French <strong>and</strong> American film makers. Eric Von Stroheim filmed "Alerte au Sud" in 1953. "Morocco" with Marlene Dietrich was filmed <strong>the</strong>re, as was Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much." In 1955 Charlie Chaplin was warmly welcomed to <strong>the</strong> hotel. Those who followed from <strong>the</strong> film world include Omar Sharif, Charles Aznavour, Joan Collins, Elliot Gould, Ted Danson, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Curtis, Tom Cruise <strong>and</strong> Nicole Kidman, Christopher Lee, Charlton Heston <strong>and</strong> Sylvester Stallone. With <strong>the</strong> film stars came <strong>the</strong> fashion world, some designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent <strong>and</strong> Pierre Balmain, buying homes in Marrakech. In 1968, with <strong>the</strong> explosion <strong>of</strong> rock groups, Marrakech welcomed <strong>the</strong> Rolling Stones, while <strong>the</strong> group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young wrote <strong>the</strong> hit song "Marrakesh Express." O<strong>the</strong>r stars from <strong>the</strong> world <strong>of</strong> music have included Johnny Halliday, Elton John, Vanessa Paradis <strong>and</strong> Sacha Distel. Royals <strong>and</strong> Statesmen who have discovered <strong>the</strong> hotel, some to return on a regular basis, include Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald <strong>and</strong> Nancy Reagan, Princess Alex<strong>and</strong>ra <strong>and</strong> Angus Ogilvy, Princess Caroline <strong>of</strong> Monaco, Prince Naruhito <strong>of</strong> Japan, Nelson M<strong>and</strong>ela <strong>and</strong> Desmond Tutu. Todays guests are welcome to leaf through <strong>the</strong> Livre d'Or (visitor's book), kept in <strong>the</strong> General Manager's <strong>of</strong>fice. It contains comments from many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hotel's celebrated guests. A love <strong>of</strong> La Mamounia <strong>and</strong> Marrakech seems to unite <strong>the</strong>m all. FINEST HOUR 107 / 22
IWULAIKIA i-t i.,\ vir A FINEST HOUR 108/23