The Best Luxury Hotels in Morocco s Most
Fes is unlike any other city in Morocco While Marrakech dazzles with its energy and Casablanca impresses with its modernity Fes does something altogether more profound it takes you back in time Walking through the narrow lanes of the Fes el Bali medina the oldest continuously inhabited medieval city in the world feels less like sightseeing and more like stepping directly into a living piece of history that has changed remarkably little over the past thousand years
Choosing where to stay in Fes is one of the most important decisions you will make when planning a visit The right hotel here is not simply a place to sleep it is a gateway into the city s extraordinary architectural and cultural heritage Two properties stand out above all others for travelers seeking genuine luxury combined with authentic Moroccan character Riad Fes and Palais Faraj Suites and Spa
Why Fes Deserves a Place on Your Morocco Itinerary
Before exploring the hotels themselves it is worth understanding why Fes demands more than a rushed day trip
Fes el-Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved medieval cities anywhere on earth Its medina contains over 9,000 narrow streets and alleyways hundreds of mosques and madrasas traditional craft workshops that have operated for centuries and a density of history that is simply overwhelming in the best possible way
The famous tanneries of Fes where leather has been dyed using methods unchanged since the medieval period are among the most iconic sights in all of Morocco The Al Qarawiyyin University founded in 859 AD and widely considered the oldest continuously operating university in the world sits at the heart of the medina The Bou Inania Madrasa with its exquisite carved plasterwork and cedar woodwork is one of the finest examples of Moroccan Islamic architecture anywhere in the country
Staying in a luxury riad or palace hotel in Fes means waking up each morning inside this extraordinary world stepping out of a beautifully restored historic building directly into the living medina with all of its sounds smells and centuries of accumulated history
Riad Fes Authentic Moroccan Architecture at Its Finest
Riad Fes is widely regarded as one of the finest luxury properties in northern Morocco and for very good reason Located just steps from the ancient medina this stunning hotel occupies a beautifully restored traditional riad that showcases the very best of Moroccan architectural craftsmanship
Authentic Moroccan Architecture
The moment you step through the entrance of Riad Fes the outside world falls away completely The interior courtyard with its central fountain intricate zellige tilework hand carved plasterwork and painted cedar ceilings is a masterpiece of traditional Moroccan design Every surface has been crafted with extraordinary attention to detail and the overall effect is one of serene timeless beauty
The rooms and suites continue this commitment to authentic Moroccan aesthetics combining traditional architectural elements with the modern comforts that luxury travelers expect Each space feels genuinely individual the kind of hotel where you find yourself exploring the building itself as much as the city outside
Rooftop Terraces With City Views
One of the defining features of Riad Fes is its magnificent rooftop terrace which offers sweeping views across the medina and the surrounding hills From here the extraordinary density and scale of Fes el Bali becomes fully apparent a sea of rooftops minarets and ancient buildings stretching in every direction with the sound of the call to prayer drifting across the city at dawn and dusk
The rooftop is the perfect place to begin or end each day morning coffee as the medina wakes up around you or an evening drink as the light fades over the ancient city and the sky above turns extraordinary colors Few hotel experiences in Morocco can match this
Luxury Spa Facilities
Riad Fes features a beautifully designed spa that offers a full range of traditional Moroccan treatments alongside more contemporary wellness options The hammam experience here is exceptional a deeply restorative ritual that has been practiced in Morocco for centuries and that feels particularly meaningful when enjoyed in a setting of such authentic historic beauty
The spa facilities at Riad Fes are among the finest in northern Morocco, and many guests find themselves spending as much time here as they do exploring the medina outside
Easy Access to Historical Sites
The location of Riad Fes is one of its greatest practical advantages The major historical sites of the medina the tanneries the Al Qarawiyyin Mosque the Bou Inania Madrasa the souks and artisan workshops are all within easy walking distance The hotel s concierge team has an excellent knowledge of the medina and can arrange guided tours private visits and experiences that would be difficult to access independently
Palais Faraj Suites and Spa Breathtaking Views Over the Old City
While Riad Fes immerses you in the heart of the medina Palais Faraj Suites and Spa offers a different but equally compelling perspective the chance to look out over the ancient city from a position of extraordinary visual advantage
Breathtaking Views Over the Old City
The defining characteristic of Palais Faraj is its location on the hillside overlooking Fes el Bali which gives the property views over the medina that are genuinely among the most spectacular of any hotel in Morocco From the terraces, suites and public spaces of Palais Faraj the entire ancient city spreads out below you a breathtaking panorama of minarets rooftops and centuries of layered history that is particularly stunning at sunrise at sunset and after dark when the medina lights up against the night sky
Waking up to this view is an experience that stays with you Guests frequently describe the moment they first see Fes from their suite or terrace as one of the highlights of their entire Morocco trip
Suites Designed for Luxury and Comfort
The suites at Palais Faraj are spacious beautifully designed and finished to a standard that meets international luxury expectations while maintaining a strong sense of Moroccan character and place Traditional architectural details carved plasterwork zellige tiles painted wood are woven throughout the property ensuring that the luxury feels rooted in the local culture rather than imported from somewhere generic
Spa and Wellness
Like Riad Fes Palais Faraj features an excellent spa offering traditional hammam treatments alongside a broader wellness menu After a day of exploring the medina which with its thousands of alleyways and the sheer volume of things to see and experience can be both exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure returning to the spa for a hammam session or a massage is one of life s genuine pleasures
Dining With a View
The restaurant at Palais Faraj makes the most of its extraordinary position serving traditional Moroccan cuisine and international dishes with the panoramic view of the medina as a backdrop Dining here in the evening as the lights of Fes el-Bali come on below you and the city settles into its nighttime rhythms is a memorable experience that combines excellent food with one of the most beautiful settings imaginable
Choosing Between Riad Fes and Palais Faraj
Both properties are exceptional and the choice between them comes down to the kind of experience you are looking for
If you want to be inside the medina, surrounded by its sounds and energy from the moment you step out of your hotel door and if the immersive experience of staying within a beautifully restored traditional riad is what draws you to Fes then Riad Fes is the natural choice
If the panoramic view over the old city is a priority if you prefer a slightly removed vantage point from which to appreciate the extraordinary scale and beauty of Fes el Bali and if waking up each morning to a sweeping cityscape is the experience you are seeking then Palais Faraj will not disappoint
Either way you will be staying in one of the finest hotels in Morocco in one of the most historically significant cities in the world
Practical Tips for Visiting Fes
The best time to visit Fes is spring from March to May or autumn from September to November when temperatures are comfortable and the light is beautiful Summer in Fes can be extremely hot though the medina s narrow shaded streets provide some relief
Allow at least two full days in Fes to begin to appreciate the medina properly Many travelers who plan a single day find themselves wishing they had stayed longer Three or four days gives you the time to explore at a relaxed pace get genuinely lost in the medina and discover the quieter corners that most day visitors never reach
A good local guide is invaluable in Fes The medina is genuinely complex and a knowledgeable guide will not only help you navigate but will bring the history and culture alive in ways that independent exploration alone cannot achieve
Final Thoughts
Fes is one of those cities that changes the way you think about travel It is not simply beautiful or interesting it is profound in the way that very few places on earth manage to be Staying in a luxury property like Riad Fes or Palais Faraj Suites and Spa means experiencing that profundity from a position of genuine comfort and elegance which is exactly the combination that makes a Morocco trip truly unforgettable
If Fes is on your Morocco itinerary and it absolutely should be do not rush it do not underestimate it and do not settle for anything less than the best when it comes to where you stay These two remarkable properties will make sure of that