Riad Fes is a Relais & Chateaux property in the heart of the Fes medina, created from a historic palace and neighbouring houses. Hispano-Moorish architecture, carved doors, zellige, stucco, marble basins and a sequence of patios give the hotel a strong sense of place, while rooftop views stretch across the old city towards the Atlas Mountains.
The property is substantial enough to provide a pool, spa, restaurant and lounge spaces but remains rooted in the inward-looking architecture of a traditional riad. It is particularly well suited to travellers who want to stay inside the medina rather than commute to it from a modern hotel outside the old city.
Rooms across historic houses
Riad Fes has around 30 rooms, including suites, spread through interconnected buildings. Styles vary, with traditional Moroccan, Andalusian, Baroque and more contemporary influences appearing across the accommodation. Some rooms can connect, which is useful for families or friends travelling together.
The variation is part of the appeal but also means room selection matters. Private Hideaway Escapes can discuss the most appropriate category and location within the property rather than treating every room as equivalent.
Four patios and rooftop views
The hotel’s four patios create distinct interior worlds of fountains, marble, planting and carved decoration. These spaces provide a calm counterpoint to the density of Fes el-Bali. Higher up, the rooftop opens the view across the medina and makes the scale of the old city much easier to understand.
A swimming pool adds another valuable retreat after guided exploration, especially in warmer months.
Dining, hammam and the medina
The restaurant combines refined dining with Fassi culinary traditions, while the lounge bar provides a more contemporary evening setting. Hammam rituals and massages are available in the spa, giving guests an easy way to recover after long hours walking the medina.
Fes is a city where good guiding matters. Tanneries, madrasas, workshops, souks and historic houses sit within an intricate street plan, and a knowledgeable private guide can transform what might otherwise feel overwhelming into a coherent exploration of craft, religion, trade and architecture.
Highlights
- Relais & Chateaux property inside the Fes medina
- Historic Hispano-Moorish architecture
- Approximately 30 individually styled rooms and suites
- Four distinctive patios
- Rooftop views across the medina
- Swimming pool
- Spa, hammam and massage treatments
- Excellent base for private exploration of Fes el-Bali
Good to know
Like all genuine medina properties, access involves walking through old-city streets from the nearest practical vehicle point. That is part of the experience but should be considered for guests with limited mobility. Fes merits at least two full days if craft, architecture and history are important.
Why stay at Riad Fes?
Riad Fes allows guests to remain inside the historic city while enjoying the facilities of a polished luxury hotel. The patios, rooftop, spa and architecture make the property part of the Fes experience rather than merely a base. Private Hideaway Escapes can arrange expert private guiding and link Fes with Rabat, the Middle Atlas or northern Morocco.
