On this website you can:

• Read quality descriptions of the hotels and pensions in Fez.
• Get a basic overview of the city and the options that are available for your stay.
• Read expert travel agent tips on Fes.
• Learn about riads.
• Learn why you might choose a riad instead of a hotel or a hotel instead of a riad.

Here is a video to get you started in your journey.

Your going to Fes to experience the riches of the Medina Kdema, The Old City, the only fully functioning medieval city in the world. Why would you choose to stay in a hotel and not a riad?

1. Location, Location, Location:

Wandering the medina is awesome, but there is are a lot of other great things in Morocco besides the medina of Fes. If your trip to Morocco is largely based on traveling to the nearby areas, or you are only over-nighting in Fes then a hotel could be a great fit. Here is why: the riads are located in the carless maze of Fes Al Bali. If you are trying to get out early to see places like Volubilis, Sefrou for the Cherry Festival, the Hot Springs at Moulay Yacoub, the mountains at Ifrane or any of the other fun things to do around Fes, it is going to be far easier going in and out from a hotel in the Ville Nouvelle than making your way out from the medina each morning trying to catch your transportation.

2. Anonymity

When you go to one of the hotels of Fes, it is easy to be a nameless, faceless person. And lets face it, there are times on vacation where it is thoroughly enjoyable just to disappear and be to yourself. Riads are great, but even the most private tend to be more communal in nature than a room in a hotel. Riads are in fact, old family homes, where most of life was made to interact with other members of the family. Hotels, by their very nature are meant to be service the needs of guests independently.

3. A Break

For a Westerner, the shift from modern city life to a section of the city where the clock has not moved for hundreds of years can be a bit of a shock. There is a reason a book was produced called “Culture Shock Morocco.” And while the contrasts draw people to Fes, there can be a real need at the end of the day, to return to a world that is somewhat like our own. The hotels of Fes provide the balance of allowing you to soak up the mystery of the medina and to come home at night to a world that feels familiar.

4. Special Needs

Again, riads are restored ancient homes, and the riads of Fez are set in a medieval city. The roads to get to and from your riad are hilly and uneven. Riads don’t come equipped with elevators. They are not easily childproofed. If you have problems walking, are in a wheelchair or have small children with you a hotel might be a better fit. Most of the hotels are more suited to handling special needs travelers than the riads would be.

5. Price

If you are really looking to travel cheap, and we mean really cheap, riads are going to be out of your price range. At some of the pensions you can get a double room for 13 pounds. At even the cheapest of riads a double room would be at least 40 pounds. So if you had rather spend your money in other ways a pension or a non-classified hotel would be a better fit than a riad.

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.

Every city offers you different options as far as accommodation, and the best choice is made on a combination of type, location, service and price. Here we will try and give you a basic overview of the four categories as they relate to Fes.

Overview

Figuring out the hotel scene in Fes presents several challenges. The first is the sytem of ratings. The second challenge is the amount of change. The third challenge is lack of quality information in English available on the internet.

Challenge 1: The Ratings

Hotels are ranked from 1 star to 5 stars. In addition to this, there are also non-classified hotels, which are completely legal, but didn’t meet the facility requirements of a 1 star hotel.

Now, there has been much lamenting over the failures of the hotel star system in recent years, with different countries using different standards and even in the same city, hotels with lower star value outperforming hotels with more stars. The star ratings also fail to take into account other things like ambiance and service. James Martin of About.com put it best in these comments on the star system,

“Think government ratings. Guido, a government pencil pusher for his whole life, goes into a hotel with a checklist. Is there a restaurant? Yes or No. Is there a toilet and shower/bath in every room? Yes or No. In the end there’s gonna be a count of all the yesses that will intimately bestow the hotel with some number of government stars. Don’t expect a qualitative review. Guido is about as likely to rate the ambiance or romantic qualities of the room as I am to sing Don Giovanni at the Milan Opera house dressed in a garter belt and silk stockings.”

In addition to the hotels there are the pensions, which are similar to hostels. These have no quality rating. Riads, which have been called “the pleasure of Fes,” have a rating system of first category and second category. This system is not well known and also suffers the same flaws as the star system. In addition to first category and second category, their are also non-official riads which operate illegaly.

Challenge 2: The Change

It is important to realize that the tourism landscape is changing a lot in Morocco. If you read an older version of a Morocco guide book, even from just five years ago,  much the information on the types of accommodation available will be inaccurate simply because of how much tourism is developing in Morocco.  For example, in Fes the capacity of tourist accommodations in 3,4,5 star hotels and riads grew by over 100% over the last seven years. In that same time, the accommodation capacity of 1 and 2 star hotels decreased by 60%.  So not only has there been a sizable shift in the number of accommodations available, but also in the level of those accommodations. The number of riads in Fes in the last three years went from having around 200 available beds to over 700 available beds in riads. So things are changing a lot, in a very short amount of time.

Challenge 3: Quality Info on the Internet

The third challenge to Fes hotels is finding good information on them on the internet. Many of the nicer riads and hotels have websites, but often times, because of the way they are made, they are hard to find in Google. Also, they don’t always offer the type of information you are looking for, and especially if you don’t speak French. Other accomodations have very little information at all on them available online.

In the last few years, Trip Advisor has become very popular and can often be a good source for information on Fes, but there have been many complaints about the authenticity of advice given there.

The Solution: (In Our Opinion)

We are ex-pats living in Morocco. We have lived here for a combined 11 years. We have traveled extensively in Morocco and experienced great treasures here and also frustration along the way. The best way to get good information on Fes hotels is to pull from a variety of sources. Current guidebooks give a good piece of the puzzle (we like the 2008 Frommers the best). Trip Advisor can give you some good input from people’s reviews. Riad Reviews has the best info on the specific details of a riad- like room size and amenities. Travel agents who regularly work Fes can set up a great trip for you. For Fes Hotels, we have tried to pull together information from all over- newspaper articles, awards, guidebook write ups, videos, pics- everything we could find- and put it in one place so that you can see all the information there is about the different hotels.

Having noted the challenges, here is a basic overview of accommodation considerations in Fes. Once you get the basic idea of what Fes has to offer, you can sort through the hotels here and the riads on Riad Reviews.

Accommodation Types

In Fes the following accommodation types exist: luxury hotels, midrange hotels, budget hotels/pensions (hostels) and riads.

• Luxury Hotels: Fes has a handful of luxury hotels in the four to five star range. The most famous of these is the Sofitel Palais Jamai, which Travel and Leisure named to their list of top 500 hotels in the world. In looking for a luxury hotel, it is important to note that the star level of a hotel in Morocco is awarded based on the presence of certain amenities, not intangible things like service or comfort. In the last several years the renovation of riads (like those found in Marrakech) has hit Fes. Among these riads, an entire market of luxury accommodations has developed that does not fall in the standard “star” system. There is a system of classification for riads, either first or second category, but the descriptors to be fit in these categories are fairly unhelpful for evaluating a riad. The best way to evaluate the “luxury” level of the riad is by the pictures, amenities and reviews that it gets.

• Midrange Hotels: Most of the midrange hotels are located in the Ville Nouvelle. Among these hotels, you can find those of moderate price, with good service and clean rooms. You would not stay in these hotels for the “experience” of the hotel, but they would serve your needs nicely as a launching out point in exploring Fes. Riads also exist at the midrange level with some starting between 60-70 pounds/65-75 Euros. At these riads you can expect the same things as their midrange hotel counterparts, except you will get more personal service and the riads have more charm.

• Budget Hotels/Pensions/Hostels: Everyone’s definition of “budget” is different. So for the sake of our discussion, we are saying that a budget hotel is one that you could get a double room in for about 16 pounds/20 euros a night or under. Fes has a series of 1 star hotels as well as “non-classified” hotels. Non-classified places are totally legal, but have no stars. Some of these are great inexpensive deals and some are not. Pensions are for all practical purposes, hostels.

Location

Fes is divided into three basic parts. The Ville Nouvelle (the New City), Fes Jdid (the New Fes), and Fes El-Bali (Old Fes). The city is arranged roughly like this:

Fes Map

The Ville Nouvelle:
The Ville Nouvelle was built by the French. It is laid out in French colonial style, and has seen an overhaul in the last few years with in influx of trendy cafes. Many of the restaurants and mid range hotels are located here. Finding a meal, or a place to get tea of coffee is not problem.  And if you are looking for a great breakfast, the orange crossaints at Cafe Adan are where it is at. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the medina from here, or is at the most about a 25 dirham cab ride. If you want to stay in a midrange hotel, or would rather return from the hubbub of the medina each day, this would be a great place to stay. You would have to factor in travel time and money to go back and forth from the medina, but cabs are abundant in Fes, run on a meter, and are a relatively inexpensive way to get around in the city.
Fes Jdid:
Fes Jdid, means the New Fes, but it is anything but new. Within Fes Jdid is the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and the Fes Royal Palace. The Royal Palace takes up most of the area and is not open to the public. The Mellah has a few old synagogues and cemetery dedicated to the Jews who used to live in Fes.
Fes Al Bali (The Old Fes):
Fes Al Bali is the reason most tourists come to Fes, and most of Fes’s best attractions are located here. Fes Al Bali is located on the side of a hill and descends down into a valley. This area is very hilly and the lanes of the medina weave in and out. There are no cars allowed inside the walls. The riads and most of the pensions are found here. Many Fes visitors spend their entire holiday inside this area without ever leaving.

You enter and exit the medina at the various babs. The babs are the prime places to catch a taxi. The most famous of these is Bab Boujaloud which is located toward the top of the hill.   If you are wanting to go on day trips from Fes or wanting to see the new city, your proximity to a bab is important.  It takes about 30 minutes of focused walking to walk from the bottom of the medina (near the river) to the top (Bab Boujaloud) and it is a fairly hilly climb.

As far as eating or drinking, there are plenty of the typical Moroccan cafes, patisseries and the like sprinkled through the medina. Bab Boujaloud has series of restaurants where you can get a good meal as well.

Service:

Like all places, the service level varies from accommodation to accommodation. Language issues and cultural differences also affect the quality of service you receive. Wherever you go in Morocco it is always a good idea to ask the accommodation lots of questions if you have special needs. For example, in the cheapest of the Fes accommodations it is important to find out whether hot water is available, and are the showers inside the room or out. Other questions that are worth asking (if these things are important to you) are:

• Is there someone at the hotel that speaks a language I understand?- You won’t have a problem if you speak French or Arabic. Moroccans are becoming increasingly fluent in English and many hotels/riads can “get by” in several languages, but it is always a good idea to double check.

• Is there heating/air conditioning? Fes gets really cold in the winters and really hot in the summers. Not every place comes fitted heating or cooling. It’s also good to know who actually controls the heating and cooling. Is it within the room or at a hotel level?

• Do you supply towels?

• What forms of payment do you take? Not every place takes credit cards, so they might require cash. You can easily get cash from one of the Fes ATMs but you probably want to know that beforehand.

Price:

Price varies widely in Fes. You can do holiday for very cheap if you like, with some of the pensions costing as little as 5 Pounds/ 10 Euros a night. Or you can stay in places like Riad Al Kantara that cost 260 Pounds/290 Euros a night. Food varies in price just a widely from a lunch that costs 3 pounds to a dinner that costs 35 Pounds/40 Euros at Al Fassia Restaurant in Sofitel Palais Jamai. So unlike a lot of famous tourist cities, Fes can be done on really any budget.

Giles Griffin: Naturally Morocco- Naturally Morocco has been creating highly customized holidays in Morocco for over 10 years. Their holidays are crafted to the interests and budgets of the clients and have expertise in Fes, Marrakech, Essaouira and throughout Morocco. They can be contacted at www.naturallymorocco.co.uk for specific questions.

Tips:

• Choose the location of your riad depending on the focus of your stay. If you are interested solely in the magnificent medina, a riad in the heart of the medina is ideal, but if your stay is longer and day trips out of Fes are of interest (e.g. to the Roman ruins of Volubilis to the West, or to the cave dwellers of Bahlil a short trip south, well worth a visit but only by prior arrangement) then places closer to the edge of the Medina may be more suitable.  There is no car access into the heart of the medina and it is hilly.

• High End Riads are Exceptional. If budget permits, some of the high end riads are exceptional and provide a fabulous haven away from the hustle and bustle of the souks, which can be exhausting.

• Heating/Air Conditioning: Due to the seasonal variations in temperature in Fes, in the peak summer months ensure that the riad or dar has air conditioning, and preferably a pool, and in the winter ensure that your riad has suitable heating for the size of rooms.

Natalie Humphries: Audley Travel. Audley Travel specializes in tailor-made individual itineraries for travelers seeking authentic experiences from around the world. They pride themselves in a deep knowledge of and passion for the countries and regions in which they operate. All of their staff have either lived in or travelled extensively within these regions. Audley Travel has won the “Best Tour Operator” award by Wanderlust readers and “Best Small Tour Operator 2008” by Guardian and Observer readers. They have been working in Morocco since 2004. For more information visit them at www.audleytravel.com.

Tips:

• Get a Guide: One consequence of the dense, complex network of secret alleys and souqs is that you might want to consider having a guide, not just for your initial tour of the city, but also for any subsequent free days you have to explore the city. Our experience, and that of our returning clients, is that the city will give up far more of its secrets in the company of someone who knows it very well!

• Stay in one of the beautiful riads in the city. These are converted townhouses deep in the medina and are small and intimate. They showcase the best of traditional architecture and design and offer a real flavour for the city.

• Unwind with a traditional body scrub. After a full day of sightseeing the best way to unwind is with a traditional body scrub. Our favourite hammam is in La Maison Bleue and our preferred traditional treatment is the Saboun Beldi scrub. This is unique to La Maison Bleue spa and we now recommend it to anyone travelling to Fez. This treatment is based on olive and eucalyptus oils which are applied to the whole body before being scrubbed down using a traditional glove. After the treatment you are encourage to wrap yourselves in a warm robe and relax in a room scented with orange blossom. The overall feeling is of relaxation and rejuvenation – all set to take on the Fez medina once more!

Saad Hamoumi: Ulysse Travel Agency- Uniglobe Global Partner. Ulysse Travel Agency is Moroccan owned and operated and has been in business since 1987. Their office is in Casablanca. The company specializes in corporate travel, event planning, and tailor made tours for Morocco and the region. They can be reached at: www.ulysse-voyage.com. Ulysse Travel also provided the information for our section on Business Conferences in Fes.

Tips:

• For your first visit to Fes, choose a 5 star hotel and experience a riad for your second visit to Morocco. Why? The riads are great, but Fes is a very overwhelming place if you are coming for the first time and 5 star hotel will give you the comfort and service you are used to, and be a good launching out point for explorations into the medina.

• Choose a guided tour organized by a professional. You will experience more of the riches of Fes and all of Morocco by letting someone who has experience arrange your stay and your activities according to your wishes. Were you to come on your own, and try and find your own way around, even with a good guide book, you could miss a lot that Fes has to offer.

Mark Stacey: Cox and Kings: Cox and Kings has been organizing travel to Fes and Morocco for more than 10 years. They create group tours, private journeys and tailor-made holidays throughout the country. They are committed to using centrally located authentic hotels and riads as well as excellent ground handlers. Cox and Kings can be reached here for your Fes holiday needs.

Tips:

• Stay in a traditional riad in the old city. This will give you an authentic experience of Fes and you will see what Morocco really has to offer. Some of the international hotels are OK, but they really are no different from anything you’ll find anywhere else. Make sure you stay in the old city, so you’re close to the hustle and bustle and goings on of the town. Riad Mabrouka and Riad Maison Bleue are two of our favourites.

• Allow enough time. Spend a full day exploring the city with a guide, including the Kairaouine Mosque, the Bou Inania Medersa, the Nerjjarine Fountain and the Jewish quarter (mellah. Allow a second day for shopping. Keep your guide and explore the extensive souqs and the leather tanneries that Fes is well-known for. Having a local guide with you will mean you get to see the best stalls and shops, get the right price, and come away with some authentic Moroccan produce.

• Fes also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding area. The imperial city of Meknes and the Roman ruins at Volubilis can be seen on a day trip from the city.

Peter Eshelby: Explore Morocco- Explore Morocco has operated tours to Morocco for over 25 years. They offer varying itineraries ranging from High Atlas treks to desert adventures for all types of tourists. They can be reached at www.explore.co.uk with inquiries about tour arrangements.

Tip:

• Look for somewhere within easy reach of the local restaurants, somewhere ideally close to Fes El Bali and of course, somewhere with local character, ideally a riad.

Mark Marais: Chaka Travel. Chaka Travel offers golf holidays all over Morocco for the last four years. They can be reached for information on golf holidays here.

Tips:

• Discuss your requirements with a specialist tour operator who will best be able to guide you based on your individual requirements.

• Ask for a room with a view over the medina

• If your budget allows it, have a private guided tour of the city rather than joining a large group tour

Fes:Listed in Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2009

Fes was included in the list with other cities like Washington DC, Buenos Aires, Seattle and others.

Fes, Morocco: My Kind of Town

Mark Ellingham, the founder of Rough Guides, weighs in with his tips on Fes.

U2 Records New Album in Fes

In the summer of 2007, U2 came to Fes to get inspiration for their new album entitled ‘No Line On The Horizon’

Fez For Foodies

A quick review of Dar Roumana in the Guardian from 2007

Fes Sacred Music Festival

Guardian write up of the Fes Sacred Music Festival in 2008

Fes, Morocco: Magically Medieval

2004 Article from the Telegraph on Fes with advice on where to stay and eat as well as what to do.

Fes at Christmas

2007 Telegraph article with more advice and tips on Fes.

The Soul of Morocco

2007 New York Times article on with a basic overview of the atmosphere of Fes.

Fez, Morocco: Wild Honey

2007 New York Times article on honey in Fez.

And here are a few videos to give you a better picture on Fes.

Good Fez video featuring Jnan Palace and Sofitel

A Basic Highlight Video of Fes

Fes Hotels sat down with Saad Hamoumi one of the premier Moroccan travel agents to ask him about business travel and conferences in Fes. Mr. Hamoumi is the president of Ulysse Voyage, and has arranged travel services for Pepsi, Boeing, Unilever, Kipling, Lafarge, Nokia, Emirates Airlines and others. Ulysse Voyage  is also a partner in the Uniglobe Travel Network, the largest network of travel agents in the world.

Fes Hotels: Mr. Hamoumi, can you describe what accomodations exist for business travelers in Fes?

Hamoumi: The city of Fes has many five star hotels that we recommend. Our first choice would Sofitel Palais Jamai, which is a 5 star palace managed by Accor. After that, the Merinides, Jnan Palace and Royal Mirage are all solid 5 star options. There are several good 3 and 4 star hotels as well.

Fes Hotels: Fes was named to the list of Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2009. If a company was wanting to do a business conference there to allow attendees to enjoy the city, would this be possible?

Hamoumi: Yes. While Marrakech gets a lot of the press for things like this, we have arranged multiple conferences in Fes. The most recent ones were a conference for the 1200 year anniversary of Fes for around 300 people and the Power Card seminar with HPS, where 250 people from several different countries gathered for a three day conference. Both of these events were very successful thanks to the professionalism, hospitality and serenity that the participants found in this ancient city.

Fes Hotels: What reasons would someone want to do a conference in Fes as opposed to something in a European city?

Hamoumi: Fes is an excellent spot for a conference because it has a special atmosphere that is unique in our world. Fes is actually a sister city of Florence, Italy and offers a similar culturally rich experience. A few benefits to having the conference in Fes would be the change of scenery for the visitors. Attendees would feel detached from the hurriedness of life in today’s big cities and could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in Fes. Moroccans are renowned for their hospitality and would treat the attendees with utmost of warmth. Fes is a quick flight from Europe and not to bad from the US. The pricing of hotels and tourism services in Fes is a much better deal than those in Europe for a similar type event. In addition to the conference, attendees would have a great opportunity to do some “extra-curricular activities” like visiting the Sahara desert, hiking in the mountains or taking in sun on the beach. All of these things make Fes an extremely attractive destination for someone wanting to do a conference that really makes the attendees feel like they are attending an event to remember.

The prices in Morocco in general and Fes in particular are often 30-50% less than those same quality of services in Europe. In addition, we can adapt all kinds of budgets and provide counseling to make any event a success.

Fes Hotels: Now, Fes is known for being medieval. Are the hotels in Fes capable of handling a modern, technology driven business conference?

Hamoumi: The hotels of Fes have all the infrastructure to host big events. They have well equipped conference rooms, simultaneous translation services, audio visual systems, security and the extras like dedicated staff and limousines if you they were needed. We organize events in the city that deliver service according to international standards. A person who is planning to organize a seminar or conference in Fes would have the same quality of services as the best of the European cities.

Fes Hotels: Thank you Mr. Hamoumi for your time and your expertise. It has been a pleasure.

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