Marrakech is a brilliant destination to enjoy decadent and luxurious experiences without breaking the bank. Several hotels in Marrakech welcome day guests to use their facilities, and one of the very best hotels to do this at is the incredible La Mamounia hotel. Visitors can arrange a spa treatment in advance and spend the day as guests of the hotel.
However, things have changed at La Mamounia. This blog post used to focus on how to increase your chances of gaining entry at the gates for a regular day pass to the spa, as we did back in 2017. These days, you can only visit if you book a spa treatment, or make a lunch or dinner reservation.
And whilst a stay at the hotel overnight is in excess of £500, visiting La Mamounia as a spa day guest gives visitors the opportunity to experience one of the most opulent hotels in the world.
A day at La Mamounia was top of our list for our time in Marrakech. We tried to research beforehand, but didn’t find much information on how to best go about visiting La Mamounia for the day. So here’s my complete guide to visiting La Mamounia for the day.
Hopefully it addresses any questions you might have, but feel free to let me know if you have any other queries. So read on and get planning your day at La Mamounia in Marrakech!
Top tips for visiting La Mamounia for the day
As mentioned, there are some really key things to know before visiting La Mamounia as a day guest. This goes from everything including arrival, etiquette and what’s actually included.
So read on to find out everything you need to know to visit La Mamounia as a day visitor!
How to get to La Mamounia?
La Mamounia is located just outside of the medina of Marrakech. You can see the location of La Mamounia on Google Maps here. It’s probably walkable from your accommodation, but in order to not arrive looking a big sweaty mess, I’d recommend arriving by taxi.
Access to La Mamounia
So the first main option is to book a spa treatment, which you can do here. This would then give you access to the two traditional hammams, as well as the pool, jacuzzi and spa area.
The full spa menu is here. To give you an idea of prices, a 60 min traditional hammam ritual is 1,300 dirhams (around £100).
Alternatively, you can make a reservation for a meal or a drink. It’s recommended to book in advance here for one of the five restaurants or four bars.
Arrive early
Making an early reservation at La Mamounia means enjoying the fabulous facilities for longer. You also have a higher chance enjoying the facilities La Mamounia before other visitors arrive. We lazed around the indoor pool for more than an hour before other guests turned up.
Dress smart
La Mamounia maintains an elegant dress policy in all areas at all times. This means no beach shorts, bikinis on show or midriff peeping out. I wore a smart day dress and kept my bikini in my bag. Dinner reservations have a strict dress code for after 6pm.
Prepare to spend ££ on food and drink
Spending the day lapping up the luxury at La Mamounia can be a bit expensive. You may want to bring extra money for food and drinks by the pool. Just to give you an idea, a poolside iced coffee cost approximately £10.
Exploring the grounds of La Mamounia
A lot of day visitors to La Mamounia get carried away with the pools (understandably), but there is so much more to explore in the beautiful grounds. The hotel is fairly open to explore too once you’re inside and you can wander around all the floors upstairs too. The gardens are expansive, with tennis courts, immaculate flower beds and lawns, and beautiful terraces to relax in. It’s easy to forget about all the hustle and bustle outside the garden walls! La Mamounia is a true haven!
The Best Photo Spots in La Mamounia
Chances are, if you’re looking to visit La Mamounia for the day, you’re planning on taking some photos.
La Mamounia is famous throughout the world and has caused a storm on Instagram, thanks to its incredible photo spots. There’s no denying that most people are dropping in, not to feast on the £10 coffee (seriously) but of course to capture their own slice of La Mamounia magic. The building itself is palatial. I’m confident it is one of the grandest non-royal buildings in the world. It’s a real visual delight, from the public rooms, the bars and restaurants, and of course, the spa, for which it is famous!
So here’s my guide to the most beautiful photo spots around La Mamounia, both inside the hotel building and in the grounds.
The Spa Entrance
One of the most stunningly beautiful entrances I have seen. It has some of most intricate mosaic tiling adorning the walls.
The Gardens
I couldn’t believe the size of the gardens at La Mamounia. They’re enormous. It’s so easy to forget you’re in the heart of Marrakech. They need probably an hour to explore and to take it all in. They’re completely magical!
The Indoor Pool
Without a doubt, it is this incredible and iconic pool that has made La Mamounia an Instagram sensation. You’ll be pleased to know that it’s just as delightful to actually swim and relax in, as it is to take photos. We had more than an hour here to ourselves. It was quite magical!
Don’t mind us and our little photoshoot!
The Outdoor Pool
The outdoor pool at La Mamounia is slightly less paesthetic, but absolutely delightful – we of course spent the bulk of our day visit here. We soaked up the sun and ordered some (very expensive) iced coffees. As it is typically rather toasty, we found ourselves in the water a lot to cool off. Behind this main pool area is a vast grassy area with plenty of sun loungers.
The Courtyard and Exterior
Photo opportunities at La Mamounia lie at every corner, literally. Even as we left the hotel, we found even more beautiful spots in the courtyard as we left La Mamounia.
Where to stay in Marrakech
If you’re visiting La Mamounia as a day visitor, you’ll likely need somewhere a little more affordable to rest your head. Here’s my pick of the best budget, mid-range and more luxury hotels in Marrakech.
Budget riads:
- Riad Dar Attika (from around £64 per night)
- Riad Palais Calipau (from around £85 per night)
- Riad Mur Akush (from around £85 per night)
- Riad Le J (from around £94 per night)
Mid-range riads:
- Riad Cologne (from around £100 per night)
- Marrakech Riads, Angsana Heritage Collection (from £139 per night)
- Sofitel Marrakech Palais (from around £267 per night)
Luxury riads:
- Palais Ronsard Relais & Chateaux (from around £379 per night)
- Selman Marrakech (From around £529 per night)
- The Oberoi Marrakech (from around £883 per night)
Visiting La Mamounia as a day guest
Have you been to La Mamounia before? How did you find visiting as a day guest? Let me know in the comments below.
Spending the day at La Mamounia felt especially lovely as we had just arrived back from three days driving in the Sahara Desert, so it was the perfect way to relax and recharge in Marrakech. A pool day was everything we needed!
I hope this guide to spending the day at La Mamounia was useful. Feel free to ask any further questions in the comments section below!
And do feel free to check out my other detailed guides for Morocco here:
- Fes
- Rabat
- Chefchaouen
- Spending 3 days in Marrakech
- Essaouira
- Exploring the Sahara desert
- A beach break in Taghazout and Paradise Valley
I’ve also written some more specific blog posts on:
- Hiking the Rif Mountains in Morocco
- Best foodie places in Marrakech
- La Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech
Disclaimer: This visit to La Mamounia in Marrakech, Morocco was entirely paid for by myself and there was no involvement from the tourism board or any local companies. This is an independent guide.
Enjoyed my guide to visiting the La Mamounia in Marrakech? Pin it!
Absolutely stunning photos! I loved my time in Marocco, but didn’t stay at La Mamounia. I stayed in another luxury riad, and it was gorgeous, but without the pool! Next time!
Author
Next time for me too! It’s so expensive but still good for the day 🙂
I really enjoyed your post but I wanted to know if with the day pass one can have access also to the spa facilities or if they are not included in the 46$ price
Author
Spa treatments and the spa is an additional cost, but for entry price you can visit the pools and the gardens 🙂
Beautiful photos of La mamounia specially those sculpted pillars, archs and courtyards. This place looks luxurious with authentic interiors. As it has beautiful outdoor gardens and pools, I would prefer to stay here.
Such a beautiful view dear! Would love to stay there! I guess it will all be worth it!
Wow, the architecture of La Mamounia looks absolutely amazing. Sounds like a great getaway to relax and rejuvenate, I’d love to consider visiting this area as a day trip with Marrakech as a base – thanks for sharing!
Author
Hi Nathan,
Yes, its’ really incredible! We were blown away! And this hotel is (amazingly) right by the medina so not even far to get to! 🙂
Thank you for sharing such a great information and photograph with us. You are doing great work. Keep it up
Stunning photos! and thank you for great tips <3 I have a question about the price for access. On La Mamounia site is access to the private Spa is 500 MAD/ 50 USD per person and season pass, the day at La Mamounia with the spa at 1600MAD/165USD and I do not quite understand what the difference is … 🙁 When you bought, did you use the private spa option or was it still something else?
Loved your post. We are planning a trip to Marrakech and a day at the Mamounia. I would love to use the Hammam but am little concerned as my husband has mobility issues. Any idea if this would be suitable?
For the entrance you paid was it just the pool you could use? Did you have to eat there?
Author
Hi Yasmine,
I am not 100% sure if the day visit option is still there at La Mamounia anymore. If it’s still running then yes just the indoor and outdoor pools, no food included. Was very expensive! In terms of mobility, I can’t be completely sure, I don’t remember a lot of stairways. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help!
Have a great time in Marrakech either way!