Palais Faraj is an extraordinary luxury hotel in Fes, Morocco, decorated in the sumptuous, authentic style of a 19th-century Moroccan palace. With its elegant, timeless design and warm, attentive hospitality, Palais Faraj is an oasis of refinement in the heart of Fes.
Born in 2012 in the minds of its owners, Evelyne and Driss Faceh, the Palais Faraj expresses the desire to immerse guests in the history, culture, and beauty of one of Morocco's most fascinating Imperial Cities.
An Authentic Moroccan Palace
The Bensouda Palace, which today has become the Faraj Palace, was built by Si Mohamed Bensouda, a leader of a large family of the Fassi bourgeoisie, at the very beginning of the 20th century.
The History of the Bensouda Palace
Fez was then the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco and remains the spiritual capital of the country, in addition to being a holy city. This imperial city is also the heart of the tradition of Moroccan craftsmanship. At that time, everything went through Fez, and Fez was the central city of Morocco; its economy was prosperous and the city was flourishing.
In 1916, the Resident General Hubert Lyautey set up an urban policy for the preservation of the Medina (the old city) and created the new city of Fez - at south, outside of the Médina - which has now become, by its size and its population, the second city of Morocco.
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The Fassi bourgeoisie of that time was both very learned and a great landowner. They lived in the Ziat district on the heights of the southwest flank of the Medina of Fez. It was through the land that they marked their wealth, but also through their involvement in society.
These families occupied many societal functions. Si Mohamed Bensouda was at the same time a grand cadi (a judge), possessed a chair at the University Mosque Al-Quaraouiyîne (the first and the oldest university of the ancient Arab world founded 12 centuries ago) in the heart of the Medina and was the adviser to His Majesty the King.
In addition to their huge farms, these families all owned beautiful and large residences in the Medina, especially in the Ziat district, commonly called palaces or luxury riads, depending on the size. The Bensouda family was grouped together in one of these streets which still bears his name: Derb Bensouda, rue Bensouda.
Their home consisted of a Palace with its stables (the horse was the essential means of transport at that time) attached to 7 other riads and dars (small houses). So all the members of one and the same family were brought together and neighbors.
The Birth of Palais Faraj
In 1912, Fez lost its prestigious status as capital in favor of Casablanca. Casablanca, gradually building a port of very large merchant capacity, became the economic and international hub of the country on the Atlantic coast.
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This caused the departure of many old families and an important part of the population of Fassi origin. Some more or less abandoned their immense homes that were difficult to maintain, including the Bensouda Palace. It was gradually abandoned over the twentieth century until the year 2000, when it was completely fallen into ruins.
His new owner, Driss Faceh, explains: “This palace that I had known as a child, we acquired it with my wife Evelyne (1944-2013) that year. That was the only way for me to save it, by renovating it and restoring it to its former glory, but without betraying what it was.”
“We then transformed it into a prestigious boutique hotel of very high standing of 25 suites, an oriental hammam and spa, an outdoor swimming pool, two restaurants and a bar with a breathtaking view over the entire Medina, which travelers and personalities from all over the world frequent abundantly and with great discretion,” completes Driss Faceh.
Today, the Faraj Palace includes the Bensouda Palace, the stables converted into suites or common areas, as well as 3 of the original 7 riads. According to Driss Faceh, four riads are missing to reconstitute the whole, “what will remain to be completed, one day!”
The acquisition of an additional 3000 m² of land was necessary to facilitate access to vehicles, because the Palace is located within the 18 km ramparts that surround the Medina. Access is thus extremely easy and secure, the great and illustrious of this world who frequent the place are appreciating.
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The Palace also has, in addition to its imposing patio covered with marble paving and zelliges with sacred geometry, a swimming pool, also in blue zellige, the famous blue of Fez, a balcony garden landscaped with flowerbeds, exotic plants and palm trees with an exceptional view of the southern Borj and the entire millennial Medina of Fez.
A Restoration in the Purest Arab-Andalusian Architectural Tradition
Already in 1990, Driss Faceh created an association to safeguard the Medina of Fez. And his passion for this secular Medina - one of the capitals of Arab-Muslim civilization - has never left him.
“She has given me so much. The Faraj Palace is for me the way to give her back what she brought me,” he said, the native of Fez (1947), youngest of a family of nine children.
“The Medina can only be saved by people who restore it, by creating museums, guest houses, foundations… this is the only way to contribute to its preservation. Let us remember, it is the oldest Medina in the world listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and which remains the largest pedestrianized city in the world.”
He believes that he has contributed to the challenge by reviving this place, as a self-made man, founder of the network of tourist agencies Objectif Maroc, for a long time president of the Regional Council of Tourism of Fès-Meknes.
“Visitors and guests will be able to benefit from it for generations. I did it to provoke a positive emulation which pulls up a permanent and necessary restoration of the Medina, but also to raise the standard of the existing riads and palaces. I called on Jean-Baptiste Barian*, architect and interior designer of the late Majesty King Hassan II, a specialist in Arab-Andalusian architecture and also contemporary decoration. In addition, he had the knowledge of luxury hotels in Morocco having worked on projects such as La Mamounia in Marrakech and Michlifen in Ifrane“.
Jean Baptiste Barian, who himself wanted to leave his signature in Fez, took up the challenge, and from photos and architectural elements still existing, preserved, renovated and embellished the place in the purest tradition of Arab Andalusian craftsmanship, while bringing, in some newly created parts, a very contemporary decorative touch.
Jean-Baptiste Barian was one of the close collaborators of André Paccard (1929-1996), then appointed decorator to the late Majesty King Hassan II, who for 15 years worked on the decoration or renovation of many Royal Palaces throughout Morocco.
André Paccard has, moreover, published what remains today the fundamental work offering the most complete documentation ever assembled on Moroccan decorative art, commonly called “Le Paccard” and whose title is “Morocco and Traditionnal Islamic Crafts in Architecture” (Editions Atelier 74). A Bible in 2 volumes, 6.8 kg, 1100 pages, 1200 illustrations and photographs … which served as a reference for the renovation of the Faraj Palace.
Remarkable Examples of Restoration
The zouaks (paintings on wood) on the doors and ceilings were partly erased and only a few traces of color remained on some of them. They have been restored to their original appearance and as it has been done for centuries with egg white binders.
The zelliges on walls and floors (mosaics) have been preserved for those that existed or restored identically with old salvaged materials.
The lace of white gebs (stucco) damaged by time have been completely rehabilitated and carved on the walls and ceilings.
This entire renovation was carried out with the support of the best Maâllims (Master craftsmen) of Morocco, who themselves had already worked in the Palaces of His Majesty the King of Morocco and who are holders, each in his specialty, of the ancestral know-how of Moroccan artisan tradition.
The contemporary touch has not been forgotten.
An Authentic Museum of Arts and Antiques
The corridors were decorated by the late Evelyne Faceh. “From our private collection, I wanted to share paintings made by contemporary and Moorish style masters, collections of old photos of the Medina of Fez from the 1900s, century-old Fassie pottery, carved bronzes and brass, ethnic jewelry, ancient Berber, Kabyle and Tuareg carpets, African sculptures, Dogon doors; antiques and modern consoles from contemporary designers … Thus, in addition to the architectural beauty of the place, the corridors and various spaces of the Palace offer to eyes and heart a real palette of art and antique culture”.
Lifestyle & Oriental Elegance
Perched on a hill on the edge of the medina, faithful to the beauty of classical Fez architecture, Palais Faraj offers to lingering hedonists a palette of luxury suites, true exhibits of Moroccan crafts.
Witnessing the finest arts and traditions from Fès would not be a perfect luxury experience if not coming with the coziest comfort and modern technology.
Suites at Palais Faraj
Palais Faraj offers hedonists a range of luxury suites, with, for some of them, the most beautiful view of the Medina of Fez. Their graphic lines, the space, the real pieces of art or the countless decorative details give them a chic and unique character. Witnessing the finest arts and traditions of Fez would not be the perfect experience without complete comfort and contemporary technology.
Each one of the 25 suites at Palais Faraj was designed in compliance with this distinguished art of secret alchemy and then outfitted with then outfitted with the latest luxury facilities. The design has elements of arches, columns and moucharabiehs, carved wood, plaster and brass, stucco laces, marble floors and sacred geometry wall zelliges.
Here is a list of available suites:
| Suite Type | Description | Starting Price (MAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Trendy Riad Rooms | Spacious with an authentic Moroccan character | 2,230 |
| Junior Suite | Larger bedroom with additional sitting lounge | 2,975 |
| Deluxe Suite | For guests wishing to relax and spend time | 4,245 |
| Ambassadeur Suite | Living in excellency | 6,070 |
| Family Suite | Ideal for hedonist travelling families | 6,950 |
| Grand Ambassadeur Suite | A place to linger longer, to let yourself be pampered | 7,045 |
| Grand Vizir Suite | The truly lordly style of living | 8,390 |
| Royale Suite | The splendor of old time palaces | 20,350 |
Restaurants & Bars: Inspiring Location - Sublime Food
Considered Moroccan gastronomy of excellence, the traditional cuisine of Fez is a real rich blend of Arab, Jewish, Berber and French culinary influences, present in the proposals of the Palais Faraj. Aware of this heritage, our Restaurant L’AMANDIER & ROOF TOP GARDEN offer refined cuisine, combining Moroccan and Mediterranean flavors, when the GOLDEN BAR or THE GRAND PATIO & POOL TEA ROOM wait for you, in front of astonishing points of view of the Medina, or listening to birds near to our Swimming pool.
Served in summer on the splendid, highly demanded outdoor terrace, you can choose your time, your location, your pleasure.
The Best Place to Relax
Palais Faraj allows you to experiment the sublime of a luxury stay by diving into our swimming pool or making some fitness exercises in our new Sports room. Then enjoy a genuine traditional Moroccan experience, the Hammam, with steam bath and soothing massages, for a journey uncovering oriental beauty and spirit.
The Oriental Spa has 400 sqm reserved for well being. An authentic setting offers rest and relaxation with a traditional hamman, two scrub rooms, three luxury cabins for massages and treatments, relaxation room with a tisanerie for herbal tea and infusions, and a hairdresser.
The Palais Faraj: A Jewel in the Medina of Fès
“The Faraj Palace takes its name from the diminutive name of my father Si Faraji,” adds Driss Faceh. “I am proud that this achievement bears his name and above all that it conforms to what I had in mind”.
And to conclude: “The consecration came on the day when His Majesty King Mohamed VI honored us by visiting Palais Faraj”.
Conserving and respecting tradition while moving towards to modernity is what Palais Faraj represents today.
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