La Mamounia, the iconic hotel situated in Marrakech, has successfully maintained its status as one of the premier hotels globally, despite experiencing a drop to the 75th position in the 2026 rankings. This update comes from the prestigious platform, The World’s 50 Best Hotels, which released its latest list this week, covering hotels ranked from 51 to 100. Remarkably, La Mamounia remains the sole African representative in this category, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the top 50 hotels during a ceremony scheduled for September 15 in Paris.
In the latest rankings, the Moroccan hotel sits at 75th, trailing behind the Four Seasons Tamarindo in Mexico at 74th and ahead of Turkey's Maçakızı in Bodrum, which ranks 76th. This year's results indicate a decline compared to previous years, as La Mamounia was positioned at 30th globally in 2025 and 31st in 2024. Its best-ever ranking was achieved in 2023 when it reached the 6th position worldwide.
Despite the drop in its ranking, La Mamounia continues to hold its ground as one of Morocco's leading luxury hospitality destinations. The hotel benefits from its prime location in Marrakech and boasts a rich history that spans over a century. Its architectural style artfully combines traditional Moroccan design elements with luxurious hotel amenities.
The rankings highlight several features that contribute to La Mamounia's enduring appeal, including its expansive gardens, intricately carved cedar wood ceilings, and traditional Moroccan zellij tiles. Additionally, the hotel offers balconies overlooking olive and orange groves, as well as traditional hammams adorned with mosaics.
The historical connection between La Mamounia and the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is also noteworthy. Churchill was particularly fond of Marrakech and frequently stayed at the hotel during his visits to Morocco, making it a notable landmark in the city.
Since its inauguration in 1923, La Mamounia has evolved into one of the most recognized symbols of luxury hospitality in Morocco, having hosted numerous distinguished figures from the realms of politics, art, and culture over the decades. The hotel features 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 over 800 travel and hospitality experts, with each member selecting seven hotels based on their personal experiences over the past three years. The organizers emphasize the independence of the selection process, as hotels are not permitted to submit direct nominations or purchase their positions on the list; results are determined solely by the evaluations and experiences of the voting committee members.
All eyes are now on the main list, which will unveil the top 50 hotels worldwide, to see if Royal Mansour and other Moroccan and African hotels will be included in the rankings, thereby enhancing Morocco's presence in the realm of luxury hospitality on a global scale.
As reported by iktissadkom.ma.
