Riad Idrissy, Fez
The ancient riad’s cathedral-height courtyard is resplendent with
zellij tiles and ornate stucco – and cook and designer Robert Johnstone
has decorated the five suites with characterful antique finds from
around the country. You’ll get a kaftan and babouche to laze around in
and in the morning a flask of tea or coffee is left outside your room,
before a breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs-to-order and a basket of freshly
baked local breads in the wonderful Ruined Garden restaurant next door,
on the balcony, or in the library. Johnstone is opening a cooking
school next year, where you can learn to conjure up your own Moroccan
feast.
• Doubles from €110 B&B,
+212 649 191 410, riadidrissy.com
• Doubles from €110 B&B,

Dar Finn, Fez
During the long restoration, owners Rebecca Eve and Paul O’Sullivan
kept the opulent Fassi look in the main house and courtyard and have
added a lighter, brighter Andalucían-style annexe. Two of the four rooms
(named after gates in the medina) are large enough for families, as are
the two grand suites – the Pacha suite is the former office of the
Pacha of Tazi – which have private terraces. You can try homemade
Moroccan dishes in the dining room, which spills out into the
plant-filled walled garden, complete with plunge pool. Then drink in the
views over Fez from the multi-level roof terrace, with a cold drink
from the honesty bar.
• Doubles from €87 B&B,
+212 655 018 975, darfinn.com
• Doubles from €87 B&B,

Dar Roumana, Fez
In a quiet corner of the medina, this beautifully restored residence
has five sumptuous suites, all showcasing the work of Fez’s famous
artisans. The Yasmina suite is arguably the most romantic with its
enormous four-poster bed, but they all have carved cedar-wood ceilings,
mosaic tile floors and intricate plasterwork, as well as organic
Moroccan toiletries in the en suite bathrooms. Breakfast is served on
the roof terrace with show-stopping views across the medina or you can
curl up in front of the open fire in the library. The patio is home to
one of Fez’s finest restaurants and French chef Vincent Bonin’s
daily-changing, market-fresh menu.
• Doubles from €85 B&B,
+212 535 741 637, darroumana.com
• Doubles from €85 B&B,

Riad Anata, Fez
This riad has been given a light, contemporary feel by Valérie
Janczewski, the Belgian owner who splits her time between living in
Madrid and Fez, when she’s not working in Africa. The five rooms come
with pale tadelakt walls and splashes of vibrant colour – which give the
rooms their name – from rugs, blankets and local art. Valérie has put
together a short city guide that is full of insiders’ tips. You can
relax with a glass of mint tea and a homemade sweet treat on the rooftop
terrace – where there’s plenty of lounging space and a plunge pool to
cool off in – or on a hot pink armchair in the patio.
• Doubles from €98 B&B,
+212 535 741 537, riad-anata.com
• Doubles from €98 B&B,

Riad Laaroussa, Fez
• Doubles from €115 B&B,

Riad Felloussia, Meknès
Escape the hubbub of Fez for the smaller, more manageable imperial
city of Meknès and its magnificent monuments. Set in the heart of the
Unesco-listed medina, close to the Place el Hedim and the ornate Bab
Mansour, the riad’s owner Lionel Westerski has filled the five suites –
some of which are split-level – with his global finds, mixing up Berber
rugs with African art. There’s plenty of space to relax, too: the
central courtyard comes complete with a tinkling fountain and lots of
greenery, there’s a large salon and a terrace overlooking the old city’s
rooftops that’s perfect for sundowners.
• Doubles from €80 B&B,
+212 535 530 840, riadfelloussia.com
• Doubles from €80 B&B,

Ryad Bahia, Meknès
• Doubles from €60 B&B,

Dar Zerhoune, Moulay Idriss
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the holy city of Moulay Idriss, Dar
Zerhoune is the perfect spot to relax and recharge, yet it’s only 90
minutes from Fez and 20 minutes from Meknès. The owner Rose Button fell
for this peaceful spot six years ago, renovated the dar and decorated
the six rooms and salons in a minimalist, modern-Moroccan style. Head to
the roof terrace for a long, leisurely breakfast – and lunch and dinner
on request – overlooking the jumble of whitewashed houses and across
the plains to the Roman city of Volubilis. You can even have a picnic delivered to the ruins by donkey.
• Doubles from €50 B&B,
+212 642 247 793, darzerhoune.com
• Doubles from €50 B&B,

Dar Kamal Chaoui, Bhalil
• Doubles from €55 B&B,
