14 Best Hotels in Fez el-Bali, Fez and the Middle Atlas

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 is filled 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.

The House of the Pomegranate is a sumptuously restored residence, with four stunning suites (another is planned for 2022 opening) 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 Yasmine 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. 

The nomadic French owners of this contemporary caravansary spent a decade reinventing this palatial 17th-century riad, where seven sumptuous suites now sit 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 maison d'hôtes 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. 

With only 18 tastefully decorated rooms and suites (some with two bathrooms), the 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 tranquillity and elegance is tucked into an alleyway close to the tanneries. Enjoy a freshly prepared cocktail, sunbathe, or watch the sun set on the third-floor terrace before indulging in a three-course Moroccan dinner skillfully prepared with contemporary flair. From chic furnishings and a generous breakfast served anywhere you like, to candlelit silver lanterns and an attentive, English-speaking staff, this former residence spares no expense on details that make guests feel welcome and pampered.

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 if you breakfast on the top-floor La Terrasse. 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.

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. Postsightseeing, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 bedrooms around the courtyard, each on a different level—it more than makes up for in style. The owner, an American designer, has mixed Moroccan craftsmanship and global antique finds 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. Reservations are via email only.  Rates include all taxes, transfers to/from the airport or train station, porter service, breakfast, and two full-time housekeepers. Credit cards are not accepted.

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.