Riad Souaffine

If you have ever been to Morocco, you have probably passed a dozens of them as you wound down the corridors of the medina in Fez, Marrakesh or Essaouira. Classic riads are intentionally nondescript on the outside to avoid the gaze of intruding eyes and the punishment of the weather. To the modern eye, the only demarcating features are the large, ornate doors that guard the entrance.

Although it is the villas of the Marrakech Palmeraie that have led stars like Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Michael Jordan and others to Morocco, those in hunt of “the pleasure of Fes” or the “fame of Marrakech” have come in search of Morocco’s riads.

Like a Scene Out of Indiana Jones…

As the heavy, ancient door creaks open, like a scene out of Indiana Jones, you are taken into a secret world sprawling out before you. In traditional Islamic architecture, outward surfaces are unadorned and nondescript, and beauty lies on the interior. As you step through the doorway, you are drawn into heart of the riad. It is the threshold from the public world to a private one.

Around you, tiles designed by artisans of generations gone by draw you into the inner chamber of the riad- typically an open-air garden or courtyard in the center of the house. Riads by their very nature are more of an artistic creation than a simple living space. The development of riads came with the influx of Andalusian craftsmen from Spain to Morocco during the Almoravid dynasty. Marrakech and Fes were the favorite cities of the Almoravid ruler Youssef Ibn Tachfine, and consequenlty the greatest examples of riads are found in these cities.

An Ancient Arab Fairy Tale…

Riad Fes Baraka

The inner courtyard brings both a sense of calm and amazement to the Western eye. The best of the riads make you feel like you are in an ancient Arab fairy tale and are a far cry from the architectural styles of the Western world. Now the hustle and bustle of the medina streets feels as far away as the continent you came from. The courtyard is the center of life in the riad. There is room for relaxation in the sun, reclining in the shade, meals to be taken and books to be read. It is from here that the rest of the riad spreads its arms.

Waiting to Be Explored…

Riad Fes

As your eyes are lifted up to the two or three stories that ascend around you, rooms, balconies, nooks and crannies beckon to be explored. Each bedroom is distinct in both dimension and decor and today have been styled in combinations of ancient Moroccan themes and the flair of the riad owner. There are very traditionally style riads and there are riads in black and white, Art Deco, rustic and hundreds of other styles. No two are the same.

When In the Land of the Setting Sun…

So remember when in the land of the setting sun, riads offer the chance to leave the cookie-cutter chain hotel behind and to experience the magical side of Morocco.

One goes to Fes to experience the other-worldliness of the ancient medina. In fact, Harrison Ford called Fes the most romantic city in the world. To get the most out of your trip, it is important where you stay. Do you choose a hotel, or do you adventure out and experience a riad?

Here are 5 Reasons to Choose a Riad Instead of a Hotel in Fes.

1. “The pleasure of Fes is its secluded riads,” Stanley Stewart, 2 time winner of the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, Travelex Travel Writer of the Year, and regular travel columnist for the London Times. Expert advice. Enough said.

2. “What’s the point of travelling if you don’t get a flavour of the place you’re visiting?” – Juliet Kinsman, editor-in-chief of Mr & Mrs. Smith, Boutique Travel Specialists. You come to Fes to be enchanted by the historic medina. Staying in a traditional riad is simply the best way to do that. As Kinsman noted, “It’s a world away from the anonymity of identikit chain hotels.”

3. It was good enough for Bono. When Bono and U2 wanted to get creative inspiration for their upcoming album, they thought the city of Fes was the best place to do that. When they wanted a place to stay that would recharge, them they chose a riad.

“We got this little riad, a small hotel with a courtyard in the middle and set up the band there, with a square of sky over our head… We’d record during the day and then disappear into windy streets of the medina at night. It was an inspiring experience and a drummer’s paradise,” Bono said.

Here is a pic, originally posted on U2.com

U2 at a Riad in Fez

Here’s a video that shows them playing inside a riad.

4. Personal Care and Service: Riad’s pride themselves on their service. At a large chain hotel, you come in anonymity, you stay in anonymity and you live as an anonymous servant to the rules and procedures of the hotel. You are known as “Room 204.”

At a riad, it’s just the opposite.

You are warmly and personally welcomed. Staff are attentive to your needs and cater to your desires. “Would you like a tour of the medina?” Of course, we would be happy to arrange that. “Do you want a massage?” We know just the person. You are known by name. Your holiday matters.

5. Location, Location, Location. As noted earlier, the reason to come to Fes is to explore the medina. It is where the life is happening.

Traditional riads in Fes put you in the perfect spot to walk out your door and experience all that Fes has to offer. Hotels in Fes put you in the perfect spot to need to look for a taxi, drive through town and finally arrive at the place that has all the attractions you came to see.

There are many resources that help you understand and book riads.  We recommend a review site that focuses only on riads in Morocco and offers many riads in Marrakech.  This site even lets you contact the riad owner directly for free.  www.riadreviews.com