13 Best Hotels in Fez and the Middle Atlas, Morocco

With only 21 tastefully decorated rooms and suites (some with two bathrooms), this upscale Andalusian-style property creates an intimate setting centered on an inner courtyard garden meticulously landscaped with a canopy of lush lemon and orange trees by a marble fountain. This unexpected oasis of tranquility and elegance is tucked into an alleyway close to the tanneries. Enjoy a freshly prepared cocktail by the open fire or watching the sun set on the roof terrace, before indulging in a three-course Moroccan dinner skillfully prepared with contemporary flair. From chic furnishings and a pampering spa, to an attentive, English-speaking staff, no expense is spared on details that make guests feel welcome.

Despite its name, this contemporary hotel from a Spanish chain actually sits in a prime spot at the edge of the Ville Nouvelle, with stellar views over the medina. The stunning lobby and the rooms and suites are well thought out, with stylish modern decor. Le Bistrot serves international fare, and there's a snack bar, for a quick bite, and a bar. A spa with a Turkish bath and an outdoor pool complete the picture. It’s business-friendly, too, with a well-equipped business center and conference space. The budget-minded should opt for the room-only rate and have breakfast in a nearby café.

Set in expansive grounds in the Ville Nouvelle, the hotel caters to both leisure and business travelers with ultramodern, air-conditioned rooms that channel Moroccan decorative motifs and have marble bathrooms and terraces overlooking the gardens or the city. The ample dining options include Moroccan cuisine at Jnan L'Fassi, French at Bouquet Garni, and international fare at Eat Neocantine, plus there's a pool bar and a whisky-and-cigar bar. Postsightseeing, lounge around the large pool or be pampered at the spa. If you're feeling energetic, there's a state-of-the-art fitness center and a shuttle service to the Royal Golf de Fes.

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.

Perched on a hill looking down on the medina, this boldly designed and ultrastylish boutique hotel has brought a new level of contemporary luxury to Fez. Using Taza limestone, marble, wood, metal, and glass, French design guru Christophe Pillet has imitated the layout of the old city. Rooms and suites are all clean lines, space, and light; there’s a Givenchy spa (one of a handful in the world) with a hammam, as well as an infinity pool that overlooks the medina. Choose gourmet Moroccan at Amaraz, French brasserie fare at Relais de Paris, or tapas at the rooftop Jungle bar, where you can drink in the views. The hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Originally the private residence of Moulay Bel Arbi El Alaoui, a famous 20th-century judge and theologian, this property has been renovated and expanded several times over the years, and high ceilings and intricately carved stucco and cedar walls surround central patios and fountains. Breakfast is served on an open terrace; work off the gastronomic offerings in the well-equipped gym. 

Outside of town en route to Azrou's cedar forest, this pretty, Alpine-style hotel is set in a stone mansion on verdant grounds and well equipped with classic wood furnishings, air-conditioned and centrally heated rooms, serene mountain views, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The bar (complete with a billiards table) and atmospheric restaurant are pleasant spots to relax. Upgrade to a suite and enjoy the in-room fireplace on chilly winter days.

A medina palace (part of which dates back to the 14th century) has been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel. Home to the famed Dar Tazi, a restaurant that has long attracted international A-listers and the Moroccan elite, now it boasts six signature suites, all an artful blend of the traditional and contemporary, with living spaces, fireplaces, and large windows to frame the views. All come with butler service, and there’s a concierge on hand to organize authentic Fassi experiences. After a day of sightseeing, head to the sumptuous spa to be scrubbed and massaged at the dazzling white marble hammam. The restaurant is still the centerpiece, with four dining spaces and cooking classes available. But the pièce de resistance is the vast terrace overlooking the medina’s jumble of rooftops.  

In a lavish 19th-century former palace just outside the medina walls, the 31 suites blend contemporary furnishings with acres of marble, intricately carved cedarwood, ornate zellij tiling, and sparkling chandeliers—the work of a four-year renovation led by experts in Moorish architecture. Some suites come with their own Moroccan-inspired living space and balcony; splurge on one with a private terrace. You’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from the panoramic views over the medina from the Roof Top Garden restaurant. There are stunning views too for sundowners at Le Golden Bar and at L'Amandier, the gourmet Moroccan restaurant. After a hard day’s sightseeing, head to the luxurious Le Spa for a hammam or relaxing massage.

Set in the former home of a 19th-century minister, the Palais Sheherazade is a perfect expression of traditional style, with spectacular woodwork and tranquil views onto the vast courtyard. Every detail is beautiful, from the hand-painted tiles in the courtyard to the wooden terrace overlooking the chemical-free pool. Attracting local celebrities and dignitaries to their luxury establishment, the well-connected proprietors make it a point to direct visitors to eat in the courtyard restaurant, where you can sample an inventive assortment of flavorful dishes, occasionally with live Andalusian-inspired music. The existing suites have recently been refurbished, and a new 8,000-square-foot spa from French spa guru Anne Semonin, with a heated pool, has opened in a newly restored part of the palace, with grand suites above it.

Soaring ceilings, carved cedarwood, ornate stucco, and intricate zellij tiling reflect the sensitive restoration of this 17th-century mansion. The furnishings, almost minimalist by Moroccan standards, allow the stunning architecture to shine. Spacious rooms are spread across three courtyards, and the suites come with fireplaces and large tubs. There’s plenty of lounging space on the sun-filled roof terrace, as well as a patio pool and a cozy lounge complete with a log fire for cooler days. Don't miss a scrub and massage at the spa.

For an architecturally refined interpretation of riad living, head to this luxurious hotel: it's a perfect blend of character, modern convenience, creature comforts, and outstanding service. The place is magical in the evening, when weary guests are welcomed back into the glow of candlelight to the mesmerizing rhythms of oud music. The Andalusian pavilion with a decorative pool and intricately carved stone archways houses a sleek bar and lounge on one side and a plush, crimson-hued smoking room on the other. The upscale restaurant offering sophisticated preparations of Fassi cuisine means you may not want to muster up the energy to leave the pleasurable confines of this memorable, full-service hotel.