La Mamounia's Resilient Presence in Global Hospitality Rankings
La Mamounia, the iconic hotel located in Marrakech, continues to uphold its status within the elite circle of the world's finest hotels, despite experiencing a decline to 75th place in the 2026 rankings, as revealed by The World’s 50 Best Hotels platform this week. This prestigious list features hotels ranked from 51 to 100, with La Mamounia being the sole representative from Africa in this category. Anticipation builds as the announcement for the top 50 hotels globally is scheduled to take place at a ceremony in Paris on September 15.
In this latest ranking, the Moroccan hotel stands at 75, just behind Mexico’s Four Seasons Tamarindo, which secured the 74th position, while Turkey's Maçakızı in Bodrum follows closely at 76. This year's outcome reflects a notable decline from previous years, where La Mamounia achieved a commendable 30th place globally in 2025 and 31st in 2024. The hotel’s highest ranking was in 2023 when it reached an impressive 6th place worldwide.
Timeless Elegance and Rich Heritage
Despite the drop in its ranking, La Mamounia remains a hallmark of luxury hospitality in Morocco, benefiting from its prime location in Marrakech and a rich history spanning over a century. The hotel is renowned for its architectural style, which beautifully combines traditional Moroccan design elements with high-end hotel luxury. The ranking highlighted several features that contribute to the hotel’s enduring appeal, including its expansive gardens, intricately carved cedar wood ceilings, and stunning Moroccan zellij tiles. Additionally, the balconies provide breathtaking views of olive and orange groves, while the traditional hammams are adorned with exquisite mosaics.
The historical connection of La Mamounia to Winston Churchill, the late British Prime Minister who had a fondness for Marrakech, further enhances its charm. Churchill was one of the prominent figures who frequently stayed at the hotel during his visits to Morocco. Since its inception in 1923, La Mamounia has evolved into one of the most recognizable symbols of luxury hospitality in the kingdom, hosting numerous distinguished guests from the realms of politics, arts, and culture.
The hotel boasts over 200 rooms and suites and has undergone successive renovations to maintain its high standards and international reputation. The World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking is based on the opinions of more than 800 experts and specialists in travel and hospitality, with each member selecting seven hotels based on their personal experiences over the preceding three years. The organizers emphasize the independence of the selection process, stating that hotels are neither allowed to nominate themselves nor purchase their positions on the list, with results determined solely by the evaluations and experiences of voting committee members.
As the hospitality world eagerly awaits the main list featuring the top 50 hotels globally, attention is focused on whether Royal Mansour and other Moroccan and African hotels will secure a spot, thereby enhancing Morocco's presence in the realm of luxury hospitality on the international stage.
As reported by iktissadkom.ma.
