MARVELOUS MAMOUNIA

La Mamounia somehow delivered everything I imagined Morocco to be.

Built in 1923 when Morocco was a French protectorate, the Mamounia merges the sober lines of Art Deco architecture with the intricacies of traditional arabesque decorations. The hotel has long been considered the masterpiece of this fusion of styles, unique to a handful of Moroccan buildings.

A top interior designer has refurbished its rooms in Art Deco and Arabo-Andalusian styles, star-studded chefs have opened restaurants, and a sprawling spa has been added to the 20-acre gardens of palm and olive trees set inside the Medieval ramparts of a world heritage site.

Photos courtesy of La Mamounia.