Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fez riad scene. The building itself is grand but carries itself modestly, while the welcome
is equally warm but understated. Central African crafts and old Arabic vinyl records add
an interesting decorative twist. A highlight is the beautiful garden with huge papyrus and
banana trees, a green haven that's grown up among the foundations of the building next
door, and now the appropriately named Ruined Garden restaurant.
Riad Les Oudayas
GUESTHOUSE
€€€
( 0535 63 63 03;
www.lesoudayas.com
; 4 Derb el-Hamiya, Ziat; r incl breakfast from Dh1400;
)
The Moroccan owner is a Paris-based designer, something that certainly shows in this
riad's careful blend of traditional styles and modern design aesthetic, in everything from
the downstairs salons to the chic but comfortable bedrooms. Steps lead down from street
level into the courtyard garden, with a plunge pool and the riad's own hammam leading
off it. Up top there's a large terrace, but if you crave privacy, two of the five rooms have
private terraces.
GUESTHOUSE
€€€
Ryad Mabrouka
( 0535 63 63 45;
www.ryadmabrouka.com
; 25 Derb el-Mitter, Ain-Azleten; incl breakfast r
Dh1150-1450, ste Dh1600-2000; )
An old favourite and early player on the Fez riad
scene, Mabrouka is a meticulously restored Arab-Andalucian townhouse. The courtyard,
with its stucco, mosaics, magnificent cedar doors and babbling fountain, opens onto a
pleasant garden of flowers and trees. There are seven rooms, decked out with tiled floors
and Berber fabrics. Enjoy a simple breakfast or an all-out Moroccan feast on the verandah
overlooking the medina.
Sofitel Palais Jamaï
GUESTHOUSE
€€€
( 0535 63 43 31;
www.sofitel-legend.com/fes/en
; Bab Guissa; s/d incl breakfast from Dh1950/2600)
Once the pleasure dome of a late-19th-century vizier to the sultan, this grand hotel is set in
Andalucian gardens overlooking the medina. Its rooms have had a recent makeover to
keep it in line with the trendy medina guesthouses, although the occasional hint of its
earlier bland international flavour still lingers. Rooms with views over the medina are
great; nonguests can get a taste by visiting to enjoy a sunset drink on the terrace.
Riad Fès
GUESTHOUSE
€€€
