The prestigious La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech has retained its position on the list of the best hotels globally, despite slipping to the 75th spot in the 2026 rankings. This week, The World’s 50 Best Hotels platform published its latest list, which includes hotels ranked from 51 to 100. Notably, La Mamounia remains the sole African representative in this category, with anticipation building for the announcement of the top 50 hotels during a ceremony scheduled to take place in Paris on September 15.
In the current ranking, the Moroccan hotel stands at 75, trailing behind Mexico's Four Seasons Tamarindo at 74, while surpassing Turkey's Maçakızı in Bodrum, which is ranked 76. This year's results reflect a decline compared to previous years, as La Mamounia was positioned 30th globally in 2025 and 31st in 2024, with its best-ever ranking being 6th in 2023.
Despite the drop in its ranking, La Mamounia continues to be recognized as a key player in the realm of luxury hospitality in Morocco. Its advantageous location in Marrakech, coupled with a rich history spanning over a century and architectural design that elegantly combines traditional Moroccan elements with hotel luxury, significantly contribute to its enduring allure.
The ranking highlighted several features that help maintain the hotel's appeal, including its expansive gardens, beautifully crafted cedar wood ceilings, traditional Moroccan zellij tiles, and balconies overlooking olive and orange groves, as well as traditional baths adorned with mosaics. Additionally, the historical connection of La Mamounia to Winston Churchill, the late British Prime Minister who had a deep affinity for Marrakech, adds to its unique charm, as he was known to frequently stay at the hotel during his visits to Morocco.
Since its opening in 1923, La Mamounia has become one of the most iconic symbols of hotel luxury in the kingdom, hosting numerous prominent figures from the worlds of politics, art, and culture over the decades. The hotel boasts more than 200 rooms and suites and has undergone successive renovations and restorations to uphold its standards and international reputation.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking is based on the opinions of over 800 travel and hospitality experts, each of whom selects seven hotels based on their personal experiences from stays over the past three years. The organizers of the ranking emphasize the independence of the selection process, stating that hotels cannot directly nominate themselves or purchase their way onto the list, with results determined by the evaluations and experiences of voting members.
All eyes are now on the main list that will feature the top 50 hotels in the world to see if Royal Mansour and other Moroccan and African hotels will secure a place in the rankings, further enhancing Morocco's presence among the elite classifications of luxury hospitality.
As reported by iktissadkom.ma.
