Looking for the best 5-star hotels in Fes and luxury riads? While Fes doesn’t have a lot of international chain hotels, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deliver when it comes to 5-star experiences. Rather than being big, brand-name properties with hundreds of rooms, most of the best 5-star hotels in Fes only have a handful of suites and occupy beautifully restored riads.
Since I moved to Morocco 10 years ago, luxury hotels have been popping up across the country. It doesn’t look like that trend will be slowing anytime soon! At the same time, they come complete with sparkling pools, pampering spas and multiple restaurants. For me, this is the perfect combination.
In this article, I’ll highlight some of the best 5-star hotels in Fes to help you plan an unforgettable stay in Morocco’s “Cultural Capital”.
When planning your trip, remember there are a lot of mosques in Fes, which have calls to prayer five times a day. These include an early morning (Fajr adnan) at the break of dawn. That being said, most of the city’s 5-star hotels have good soundproofing. So it’s less of an issue if you’re planning a high-end stay.
Navigating the Medina
If you’re thinking about staying at a 5-star hotel in the Fes medina, keep in mind that the district is pedestrian-only. You can’t just drive up and drop off your bags. If you’re renting a car in Morocco driving yourself, there are a few secure parking spots near the medina entrances. After you book, your hotel or riad will typically get in touch to let you know the safest and most convenient parking options nearby.
Read also: Prices of Luxury Apartments in Ghana
They will also explain how to get to the property on foot. If you want a 5-star Fes hotel with onsite parking, I recommend Hôtel Sahrai or Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace. Both have complimentary valet parking. Just keep in mind that neither of these properties is located within the medina itself.
Most riads and hotels in Fes will also offer airport/train/bus station pickup services. I highly recommend booking one of these. Alternatively, you can book a fixed-price and reliable Fes airport transfer with Welcome Pickups. A driver will be waiting for you at your arrival point with a sign that has your name. Plus they can coordinate with someone from the property to meet you at the nearest bab.
Featured Luxury Hotels in Fes
Riad Fes
Located just off one of the medina’s main arteries, Rue Talaa Sghira, is this 5-star Fes riad. It offers a luxurious and serene retreat on the doorstep of all the action. The centrepiece courtyard showcases exquisite Moorish design, including detailed tilework and elegant archways.
Riad Fes’s spacious suites are just as stunning. Each is equipped with a king-size bed and a Carrara marble bathroom, some with clawfoot tubs. If you love high-end dining experiences, book in for a meal at the Gayza restaurant. it offers authentic Moroccan dishes and sophisticated French cuisine in a gorgeous setting. To top it all off, the Cinq Mondes Spa offers two hammams and three massage rooms, providing a range of pampering treatments.
Hôtel Sahrai
Perched on a hill overlooking the medina, this outstanding 5-star Fes hotel was envisioned by the French designer Christophe Pillet. Hôtel Sahrai combines traditional Moroccan architecture with a modern twist. The Sahrai is strategically positioned so you can appreciate the view of the riad from afar, preferably while sipping mint tea at the rooftop bar at sunset.
Read also: Cape Town Hotel Experience
The look is clean and modern, with minimalist white, pale brick, and floor-to-ceiling windows, and a few pieces to remind you where you are - a hand-painted vase, a glowing lantern, a decorative wall partition. The smart in-room amenities include large flat-screen TVs, workspaces, complimentary wi-fi, and airy bathrooms with tubs and Acqua di Parma products.
As one of the best 5-star hotels in Fes, Hôtel Sahrai boasts several restaurants that serve Moroccan, French and Lebanese dishes. Plus, there’s a rooftop lounge bar where you can enjoy the sparkling lights of Fes below. When you’re not pampering yourself at the onsite spa, which uses products from Cinq Mondes and marocMaroc, you can participate in one of the hotel’s cultural offerings.
Notable spaces at Hotel Sahrai include two restaurants, one Moroccan and the other international, plus tennis courts, a fitness center, an infinity pool, and, wisely, a separate pool for children. The obvious highlights, however, are the rooftop bar and terrace - where you might be tempted to camp out all evening - and the opulent Givenchy Spa. With its stone surfaces, mashrabiya latticework and outdoor treatment space, the elegant spa is very much grounded in the place, but the service and treatment style meets the brand’s high standards.
Best Hotels In Fes, Morocco - Top 5 Picks For Any Budget
Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace
While I’d highly recommend staying in one of Fes’ luxury boutique hotels or riads, the city also boasts a handful of large, chain hotels offering 5-star stays. It might lack the boutique feel of many luxury properties in the city. If you’re someone who prefers a “big” hotel experience or is a member of the Marriott group, Jnan Palace is a great option for a 5-star stay in Fes.
The property centres around an elegant lobby adorned with traditional Moroccan design elements. It’s worth noting that Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace is located in the Ville Nouvelle. The restaurant serves authentic Moroccan dishes accompanied by live music most nights of the week. For a more casual experience, you can head to Cafe Marriott or the Pool Bar & Grill.
Read also: Features of Luxury Homes in Ghana
Palais Faraj
Radiating the elegance of times gone by, this 5-star Fes hotel was established in 2012 in a beautifully restored 19th-century palace. Palais Faraj boasts 31 spacious suites, all beautifully decorated with traditional tilework, furnishings and textiles. They really are a testament to Moroccan artisan crafts.
What I particularly love about this 5-star Fes hotel is that it is taking strides towards sustainability. When it comes to dining, you can feast on Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine at L’Amandier restaurant or relax after a day of exploration at the Grand Patio & Pool Tea Room.
Riad El Amine
Nestled in a quiet street in the medina’s southern reaches is Riad El Amine. It occupies a 19th-century building that embodies the Arabic-Andalusian architectural style. After undergoing a three-year renovation, it opened its doors to guests. Each of the 21 rooms and suites reflects the spirit of a traditional Fassi house, with great attention paid to every decorative detail. At the heart of this 5-star Fes hotel is a sparkling courtyard pool.
Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa
Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa occupies a 19th-century patrician house that has been transformed into a luxurious oasis. Today, Riad Mayfez seamlessly blends the charm and character of a bygone era with modern amenities and impeccable service. This is something that Morocco definitely has a reputation for. As an intimate 5-star Fes hotel, it has just seven suites to choose from. While a continental breakfast is included each morning, you can enjoy meals upon request at L’Odalisque Mayfez. “The whole place was stunning.
Palais Amani
Located in the north of the medina (not far from the tanneries), Palais Amani is a luxurious boutique hotel that once belonged to the Lahlou family. In the 2000s, it was beautifully restored, transforming it into the 5-star Fes hotel seen today. Palais Amani features 21 uniquely decorated rooms, as well as a gourmet patio restaurant. A highlight of staying here is discovering the art of Fassi cuisine at the on-site cooking school, which boasts breathtaking views of the medina from its rooftop kitchen.
Palais Amani: A Detailed Review
In the bustling city of Fez, Morocco, Palais AMANI quietly asserts itself as a noteworthy accommodation option. With a blend of traditional Moroccan charm and contemporary comfort, this hotel offers an intriguing experience for travellers seeking authenticity and comfort.
Location: The hotel is just on the very outskirts of the Medina, so you have the best of both worlds - easy access to the historic Medina, but yet easy to get to from the railway station or airport by car, and easy to get to the other areas - the Mediaeval part of Fez or the more modern city.
Accommodation: There are only 21 rooms and suites here, and the Grand Suite is exceptional. It was vast, floor space wise and also ceiling height, with an unenviable outlook through massive coloured stained glass windows across the whole property, rooftop and courtyard. The floors throughout were tiled in a traditional style, a wonderful mix of black, white, and colour too.
Bathroom: Definitely a wow bathroom with another huge stained glass window (all had wooden shutters to close over at night for privacy and keeping the light out, as well as heavy drapes too) and what must be one of the biggest soaking tubs I’ve had in any bathroom. Behind a false wall you’d find another WC and a large shower cubicle, all with Palais Amani natural soaps, shampoo, conditioner and body lotions.
Facilities & Service: There’s an on site restaurant and bar, a small shop selling some local handicrafts next to reception, the basement hammam, a massage room, the Fez Cooking School on the rooftop, and the rooftop area itself with a sun deck and terrace for Fez views and the sunsets.
Dining: The rooftop is home to the Fez Cooking School but the ‘gastronomic’ fine-dining restaurant in the courtyard felt a bit disappointing to be honest. Service was good, but the courtyard and the rooftop both felt a bit unloved and needed a bit of visionary attention to bring this up to the exceptional standard that a building and hotel could easily achieve, and deserves.
Activities Near Palais Amani
- Les Bains Amani: A good hammam experience, with options including the Amani Unwind package (90 minutes) which includes the Traditional Hammam service followed by a 45 minute relaxing massage.
- Panoramic City Tour: A great way to see the city with visits to various vantage points, the Royal Palace, a ceramics factory, and the Tanneries.
- The Tanneries: A must-see with panoramic views and explanations of the process.
- Walk the Medina: Explore the different areas selling leather goods, baskets, toiletries, perfumes, and also fruit, veg and meat areas.
Karawan Riad
Set within a beautifully transformed 17th-century palace, Karawan Riad is one of the finest luxury boutique hotels in Fes. Karawan Riad features seven spacious suites, each uniquely decorated with artefacts sourced from around the world. Dining at the Karawan Restaurant is a highlight of any stay, with exquisite meals and delicious breakfasts that have guests writing rave reviews.
Other Accommodation Options in Fes
In addition to the featured hotels, Fes offers a variety of other luxury accommodation options, including:
- Traditional Moroccan riads transformed into luxurious havens.
- Boutique hotels with breathtaking panoramic views of the cityscape.
- Historic palaces transformed into luxury hotels.
- Contemporary luxury retreats offering a stylish blend of modern design and Moroccan elegance.
- Secluded oasis hotels providing a peaceful respite from the bustling city streets.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're seeking a luxurious riad in the heart of the medina or a modern hotel with panoramic views, Fes offers a diverse range of 5-star accommodations to suit every taste and preference. Experience the lavish charm and opulent hospitality of Fes for an unforgettable stay in Morocco's cultural capital.
Popular articles:
tags: #Morocco
