16 Best Hotels in Fez and the Middle Atlas, Morocco

Kamal Chaoui has turned his family home in the tranquil troglodyte village of Bhalil into a delightful B&B with four rooms thoughtfully decorated with local touches—perhaps a donkey pannier or an intricately painted wooden door as a headboard—all with handwoven blankets across the beds. The roof terrace is the perfect spot for breakfast in summer, but the dar stays cozy in cooler months thanks to Kamal’s inventive heating system. Part of Bhalil’s allure is its location in the foothills of Jebel Kandar and, as well as showing you around the village and organizing visits to local markets, Kamal leads full-day hikes through the mountains from 4-km (2½-mile) walks to serious 28-km (17½-mile) hikes, stopping to eat with locals along the way. You can order a delicious three-course Moroccan dinner at the B&B for 220 DH.

Tucked down a quiet street in the heart of Fez medina, this 300-year-old traditional house has been lovingly restored with the addition of some contemporary comforts, such as air-conditioning and a Bluetooth speaker. It has four spacious en suite rooms set around a central courtyard, and the lovely roof terrace is perfect for breakfast-with-a-view or, by request, dinner. And, for the medina, this guesthouse is easy to find.

The House of the Pomegranate is a sumptuously restored residence, with four stunning suites that showcase the work of Fez’s famous artisans in their carved cedarwood doors and lofty ceilings, mosaic tile floors, and intricate plasterwork. The stunning Yasmina Suite is the most ornate, and all but the top-floor Argana Suite have sitting areas; organic Moroccan toiletries are provided in the en suite bathrooms. Breakfast and creative cocktails are served on the spacious roof terrace, which has showstopping views across the medina’s rooftops. In cooler months, you can dine by the fire in a cozy salon. The courtyard restaurant is one of the best in the city. 

With a prime perch atop a hill, overlooking the tranquil Holy City of Moulay Idriss, this welcoming, Western-owned, women-run guesthouse is the perfect place to unwind after the hurly-burly of Fez. The air-conditioned rooms and lounging spaces have been lovingly decorated in a modern Moroccan style. Try the baking classes and take the fascinating Local Life tour led by a Moroccan mother. Ride a donkey to Volubilis or for a VIP picnic in the mountains; the property supports the city's working donkeys with free veterinary care (ask about Donkey Days). 

At this reinvented palatial 17th-century riad, the French owners have created seven sumptuous suites around a vast courtyard of soaring columns. Named after winds, the individually decorated rooms—Chergui has a secret mezzanine lounge, Dzahri a seductive black-marble bathroom—are filled with antiques and one-of-a-kind finds; there's carved cedarwood here and vibrant zellij tiles there, but it's all about light and space. A roof terrace has panoramic views, and when the city sizzles, you can dip your toes in the courtyard’s crisscrossed water channels or head to the hammam to be soaped, scrubbed, and massaged. The fine-dining restaurant serves a modern spin on Moroccan traditional dishes.

Attracting a global clientele, this bed and breakfast with a French flavor is a serene experience from the moment you step through the ocher-color passageway into the luxuriant garden filled with sweet-scented jasmine and roses, as well as olive and citrus trees. The former pasha's summerhouse has beautifully private rooms, all individually decorated with local and Arabian antiques, crafts, and fabrics. Besides welcoming staff, the guest house has a small boutique selling the work of Moroccan designers, a popular bistro-style restaurant, and a small pool. An enchanting spa and authentic 19th-century hammam round out this lovely property. Cooking classes are also available.

Meticulously restored, this delightful riad's triple-height courtyard and five rooms are resplendent with dazzling zellij tiles and ornate stuccowork. It's been beautifully furnished with antiques from all over the country, but the comforts are contemporary, with rain showers in the en suite bathrooms and free Wi-Fi throughout. In the morning, a flask of tea or coffee is left outside your room before you have a breakfast feast in the adjoining Ruined Garden restaurant, on the balcony, or in the library in cooler months. The roof terrace is a lovely spot at sundown with a soundtrack of competing muezzin. You can also rent the whole riad at a per-night rate.

Built around a lush courtyard garden—a tranquil oasis from the medina’s mayhem right on the doorstep—this 17th-century palace was in disrepair before being rescued and rebuilt by its French-American owners, utilizing the skills of the city’s finest craftspeople. Now archways, columns, intricate woodwork, and dazzling zellij tiles combine to create a stunning property, with palatial rooms and suites, a lovely swimming pool, and lots of lounging space. Dine alfresco on the expansive roof terrace; the friendly chefs will let you watch them prepare dishes in the large kitchen, and you can even accompany them to the market. There's a wonderfully authentic hammam on-site, too.

Tucked behind the Dar Jamai Museum, this 14th-century family house has been lovingly restored and furnished, and it’s an impressive anthology of ceramics, rug weaving, and woodworking crafts. Rooms are comfortable, there’s a relaxing hammam, the rooftop garden is beautiful, and fine Moroccan dishes are served on the patio. The couple who own it have years of experience working as official guides, and they’re a great source for the history and culture of Meknès and beyond. Take a break from city sightseeing at its sister hotel, Les Jardins de Ryad Bahia a 15-minute drive from the medina, where there's a large swimming pool.

This tranquil and intimate property has been sensitively restored by its creative, multilingual owners, Violeta from Spain and her Fassi husband, Adil, who have blended traditional and modern decor in the five spacious rooms and filled the house with family heirlooms, vintage finds, and Violeta's original artwork. There's a lovely private roof terrace where lunch and dinner—a selection of Moroccan and Spanish dishes—can be served on request. And you can try your hand at henna tattooing or furniture painting, among other activities. It's possible to rent the whole house.

A beautiful example of ornate Fassi architecture, this ancient house-turned-boutique B&B---all soaring painted-wood ceilings, hand-carved stucco, and intricate zellije tilework---has been painstakingly restored. The six, spacious rooms are all unique, elegantly decorated with antique furniture, handwoven carpets and hand-beaten brass lanterns from Place Seffarine, around the corner. There’s no restaurant but convivial breakfast and dinners are served for guests around a large communal table in the rooftop terrace dining room; it's perfect for sunset watching, too.

The Belgian owner has given this traditional house a lighter, more contemporary feel while staying true to its Moroccan roots, decorating the five rooms—named after colors—in pale tones, with smooth tadlak (waterproof plaster) walls and splashes of vibrant color from throws, rugs, and local artwork. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace, where you can lounge on banquettes or cool off in the wading pool. After sightseeing, relax with a glass of mint tea and a sweet treat in the patio lounge and library. A Moroccan home-cooked dinner is available upon request, and hands-on cooking workshops are offered with the riad's chefs. Pick up the helpful guide to Fez that the owner put together.

This traditional guesthouse rambles across three 18th-century buildings; it's the kind of place where you might climb a staircase and chance on a plant-filled patio. Visitors on a budget will find decent amenities for the price, including good-size rooms, a quality restaurant, and a roof terrace for sunbathing or relaxing, complete with a pool and great views over the Imperial City.

Behind an imposing studded wooden door, this beautiful riad guesthouse has been restored to its former glory by a team of talented artisans. Good-size traditionally decorated rooms are set around a lofty interior courtyard, and there’s a plant-filled roof terrace for breakfast and lounging, complete with stunning views over the medina and the Bab Mansour.

It's just like staying at a friend’s house (a friend with impeccable taste, that is), and what it lacks in size—there are just three spacious bedrooms around the courtyard, each on a different level—it more than makes up for in style. Moroccan craftsmanship and global antique finds are mixed to great effect at this beautifully restored late-18th-century guesthouse. Breakfast is served on the roof terrace, which is perfect for sunbathing and stargazing. Not all the rooms are created equal, so opt for the stunning master suite on the top floor, with a 16-foot-high ceiling; or you can always rent the whole house. Rates include all taxes, transfers to/from the airport or train station, porter service, breakfast, and two full-time housekeepers.

Carefully restored, this Andalusian-style town house in the heart of the medina is consistently a pleasure: every detail is polished, from magnificent doors and crafted furnishings to a pretty garden. All suites, air-conditioned and equipped with modern technology, have quality linens, decoration, and sumptuous bathrooms. The proprietors are attentive and helpful about every detail of your stay in Fez.