2 Best Hotels in The Medina, Fez and the Middle Atlas

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.

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 guides, and they’re a great source for the history and culture of Meknès and beyond. If you need a break from city sightseeing, head to its sister hotel, Les Jardins de Ryad Bahia. Just a 10-minute drive from the medina, Les Jardins has a large swimming pool in a lovely garden.