fez accommodation
 

DH and I will be flying from Barcelona to Fez for a quick visit. Does anyone have any recommendations on accommodations? We enjoy 4*+ historically traditional, centrally located establishments. Also, it would seem Ryan Air is the least expensive means of flight. Do yo agree? Any suggestions of must see's or must do's, would be greatly appreciated, keeping in mind, unfortunately we will only have 2 full days there.

Considered the best hotel in Fes for a very long time, the Palais Jamai:
http://www.sofitel-legend.com/fes/en/

When I was last in Fes, private riad accommodations were opening up all over the medina. If that's the sort of more intimate accommodations you like, I suggest you search on Trip Advisor to find the latest and greatest. But you can't go wrong with the Palais Jamai on the edge of the medina

The city of Fes itself is the attraction. It's one city I'd recommend a guide to lead you around the old city and whatever accommodation you choose can provide one. Presumably you've done some reading on the usual attractions such as the tanneries. With just 2 days I wouldn't leave town.

Regarding airlines, with such a short window of opportunity, choose whichever one's schedule gives you the most time on the days you have.

Thankyou MmePerdu...I was hopingyou would respond as I appreciate your contributions to other people's inquiries. Palais Jamai looks very nice and affordable as well! We are planning of Riads in Spain, so Yes, I will utilize Trip Advisor and check them out in Fez
Looks like Ryan Air will meet our flight dates nicely.
How would you find a reputable guide?

Check with Riad Fes, Riad Palais Faraj, Riad Salam.

Any upscale accommodation (and modest ones as well) will be able to arrange a guide for you. If you feel you must book one in advance, it will likely cost you a great deal more, with no advantage to the ones your hotel or riad will provide when the time comes. It's normal for such arrangements in non-western countries to be done on arrival. If you'd like to confirm the availability of guides, simply ask your accommodation by email after you book.

And thanks for the kind words.

Sallam 'lekum Gypsy8,
In addition to the wise recommendations by our fellow travelers, I'd also like to suggest you look at the availability and rates at Ahmed Azami's Dar Anebar, Alaâ and Kate's Dar Seffarine and at Abbey Chab's Riad Myra...feel very free to let them know that you are enquiring through my recommendation. You may also wish to make sure Palais Jamaï isn't closed for much-needed renovations (and rumored to being bought by the king???) for the time you wish to be there. All three of my mentioned maisons d'hôte are easily accessed by nearby parking areas.

The most highly regarded Fassi guide (in my mind and others) is Mr. Hassan el Janah of Fès Art et Culture Travel ([email protected] or [email protected]) and again, feel free to advise Hassan that you are contacting him via myself.
Happy travels
Darren Humphrys

Thankyou Alex and Darren for the accommodations, I have looked at them and found them all to be nice, altho I could not find a website for the last two you mentioned, Darren. I did see them on Tipadvisor, however.
I would assume there are more than one marketplace in Fez, do you think there is one that is particularly interesting...and does anyone have tips on shopping there so as not to offend venders?

By "offend", do you mean when bargaining? If so, you'll never offend if your dealings are done with good grace. My approach is, if I'm truly interested in an item, I express interest while, at the same time, deciding about how much it's worth to me. If the price given is wildly more, I thank the vendor and decline. If the vendor is willing to bargain and asks what I will pay, I say a bit lower than I'll actually pay, at which point he or she will counter. At this point I tell them my absolute maximum price and stick to it, all the while saying it's certainly worth what he asks but I cannot pay any more than I've offered. They soon understand I'm serious and will sell it for the price I offer or not (possibly add a very small increase to make it a "win" for them). Most importantly, always make the transaction a friendly one, whether you buy or not. And don't begin the negotiation if you have no intention of buying. You won't succeed all the time but likely enough to make it fun trying.

Hello again Gypsy8,

Dar Seffarine - www.darseffarine.com
Riad Myra - www.riadmyra.com

There's actually not one "market place" in the Fès el-Bali medina, as such. One could say that the entire medina is one whole market place. Whereas one can visit Marrakesh's Jemaa el Fna square and go shopping in the plethora of shops surrounding it, shopping in Fès el-Bali requires one to visit any number of shops in different areas of the medina. One doesn't simply walk to a place/square that gives itself wholly to shops selling the various crafts that Morocco/Fès is renowned for.
The great Mme Perdu has so succinctly written about the niceties of bartering, that there is nothing else to add.
Darren

A friend stayed at Dar Seffarine last year and loved it and I have booked three nights there later this year.

MmePerdu - that sounds like very sound advice. Thankyou. I have bartered in both Mexico and the Dominican, but someone told me that the vendors in Morocco are not as willing to barter in a friendly manner. I would not want to engage in something I was not interested in purchasing, so as to not waste their time. After all, that is their livelihood, and my pastime, only! How do you think we will manage being english speaking only? I will try to learn some key phrases, so as not to be totally ignorant. So excited to go see Morocco!
Darren - thankyou for your information on the Fes el-Bali ( I have googled it to see further). And, Riad Myra looks lovely!
Schnauzer- Dar Sefarine is also well rated on Trip Advisor ( we have a mini schnauzer named Gypsy!)

Tourism is Morocco's biggest industry so almost all of those with whom you'll be in contact will speak English, or enough for your purposes. In years past, French was the most common second language so many older people will speak some French. But English has been the 2nd language of choice for the younger generation. While not necessary, I wouldn't discourage you from learning simple greetings and thank you in Moroccan Arabic, for courtesy's sake.

By the way, unless you have something to trade, you'll be bargaining, not bartering.

Thankyou MmePerdu, bargaining it is!