7 Best Hotels in Fez and the Middle Atlas, Morocco

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). 

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.

Though the period charm has diminished, this budget hotel offers clean rooms, shuttered balconies at the front, and agreeable service. The two-story Art Deco structure in the heart of the Ville Nouvelle offers ample evidence of the French influence in Taza. The restaurant, while no gourmet tour de force,prepares hearty tagines of several varieties.

With a friendly staff, Hôtel Akouas has adequate Art Deco–inspired rooms with satellite TVs, air-conditioning, and heat. There's also a small pool to cool off in and a piano bar to enjoy a relaxing drink. Across the street from one of North Africa's better-stocked newspaper kiosks, it's also home to a popular disco, where men and women in djellabas groove alongside women in skirts and men in designer duds. Book a room on the upper floor to escape the noise of the nightclub.

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.