Riad Fes

Riad Fes

In the Andalusian patio at Riad Fès, an outdoor pool sits beneath stone arcades, water running from a fountain into decor styled after the Thousand and One Nights. The riad itself is a restored 14th-century palace in the heart of the Medina of Fez, once home to one of the city's most refined families, its Spanish Moorish architecture echoed in the zellige tilework framing the restaurant's fireplace. Thirty-two rooms spread across three floors, from Standard doubles at 323 square feet to the Ambassador King Suite at 484, with air conditioning, mini bars, and balconies in the higher categories, plus rooftop terraces and solariums looking toward the Medina and the Atlas Mountains. Gayza Restaurant, led by chef Abida for two decades, has been recognized with a Michelin Key and runs separate French and Fassi menus rather than blending the two. There is a spa by Cinq Mondes and marocMaroc with a hammam, massages, a steam bath, and a sauna fitted with an infrared cabin, plus a fitness center and a concierge who arranges golf across four regional courses, guided Medina walks covering 1,200 years of history, and day trips to Volubilis. Couples sharing a room are asked for a marriage certificate at check-in, a Moroccan requirement worth knowing before you book. This suits someone who wants Fez handled with real craft and doesn't need a large room to feel looked after; anyone wanting a sprawling resort or complete anonymity will find neither in a 32-room riad. Riad Fès has belonged to Relais & Châteaux since its restoration, answering to independent owners rather than a chain standard. Riad Fès occupies a restored 14th-century palace in the Medina, its Andalusian pool patio and zellige-lined restaurant earning Gayza a Michelin Key under chef Abida. Thirty-two rooms across three floors range from compact doubles to the 484-square-foot Ambassador Suite. Couples need a marriage certificate at check-in.