Riad Fes Touria Palace — Hotel in Fez

Great place, great location, great host!||Our stay was very pleasant and an overall amazing experience. Our flight from Treviso (Italy) to Fes got in late and we were driven from the airport and escorted to Fes Touria Palace by drivers provided by the host (roughly 70 EUR total for 9 people (2 cars) for a return trip, around 30 minutes each way). |The place is very clean and neat, the rooms are nicely equipped (AC included) and have windows to the inner courtyard. Each morning we got a nice fulfilling breakfast (eggs, bread and pastry, marmalade, butter, other spreads + coffee) and we where welcome to use the rooftop terrace til 12, which seamed reasonable. The host, Mundir is friendly, open-minded, very knowledgeable and extremely resourceful. Just ask and he will hook you up with guides, hammam visits, rides to other cities etc. The place also offers alcohol to consume within the palace, a small beer goes for 3 EUR and a bottle of wine will cost you 20 EUR. The location is perfect, you literally step out right into the allies, stands and shops of the Medina and (in case you are overwhelmed or would like to experience another part of Fes), the closest gate is a 5 minute walk. At times we were suspicious and a little wary of frauds and scams but all proved to be fair and that goes for the whole city! Fes itself is a beautiful "mess" of colours, sensations and smells and the people are generally friendly and open. Yes, some will "pull you by the sleeve" to sell you things or offer to guide you through the Medina for money, but it's all fair service and you are more than free to turn down any offers. I will never forget the scene when a young man rushed a motorcycle 300 meters after the 3 of us to return a pack of cigarettes I left on the table at a plce where we had orange juice and, when I offered money as a thank you gift, turned it down and just smiled. All in all, if you are interested in finding a place to stay in Fes, the Fes Touria Palace IS THE...

We arrived at Fes airport later than expected - our flight was delayed. Fortunately the hotel had arranged a driver to be waiting for us as we came out of arrivals and even though it was well after midnight he whisked us away into another world.... Fes touria palace is in the centre of the medina, or old town, of Fes: 150 yards west of it is the R'cif market place where you can sit by the river and get a bit of a break from the crowds of people in alleyways. Instead walk 100 yards east and you're in the copper beaters' square where they're hammering flat sheets of metal into beautiful intricate trays that make tables in some restaurants. Finally if you choose 100 yards north there's a mosque and university that is almost 1,200 years old. We did see a horse and several donkeys walk by loaded with goods: the pictures are true! The riad (town house) itself is an oasis of calm in the bustling streets and alleyways of the old town. The manager, Moundire, is young, bright, ambitious and incredibly friendly. Nothing is too much trouble for him and he'll gladly give advice or make excellent moroccan tea at any time of the day or night! Breakfast was served by Moundire in the enclosed courtyard of the house at 9-ish. There was always bread, butter, jam, peanut butter, olives, cream cheese and freshly cooked omlette. Sometimes there was also creme caramel and a hot cake of some sort. On our last night we decided to eat at the riad rather than go out and he served us a really good moroccan meal of soup, fresh vegetables and tagine (like a stew and not too spicy) followed by fruit salad. The riad is immaculately clean. We had a small room with shared shower and the water temperature+pressure was excellent. Each room has air conditioning with a remote control - we visited in winter and discovered on our first morning the benefit of switching it on as a room heater! The beds were super comfy and even though a mosque is very nearby the dawn call to prayer wasn't...

Even though the rian is quite new and clean what absolutely ruined our experience was the CURFEW. ||We've arrived quite late-ish and we've asked to be shown the roof terrace however the manager Mundir said that it has already closed (it was not even 10pm).||The next evening around 6 (we all met that evening in the riad) were having a drink and a chat on the terrace when Mundir came to us at 11pm and asked us to leave the terrace as he didn't wanted us to disturb the neighbors (mind you this place is in the middle of the medina meaning that is populated and quite noisy at all times).||||We specifically chose a hostel type accommodation so we can socialise and meet new people. We've trued to go downstairs on the patio so we hangout there but NO we were rudely told to go to our rooms. How ridiculous is that? Paying €50 per night and then you are treated like a 5 year old. Two Moroccan guests were vocally unhappy being sent to bed and they have complained. None of us wanted to continue staying in that place but unfortunately we've paid in advance for 4 nights. The next days Mundir if not completely ignoring us (as in not answering to 'good morning' was quite rude and clearly showing his displeasure of having us there. ||The next night he completely turned off the lights (in all the commune areas) at 10pm. Around 10:15 we heard bangs on the door, probably some unfortunate guests who were not told that after Mundit leaves (usually at 11pm) you are locked out/in and there is nobody to open the main door unless you have a friend inside who can open for you.||||The place is probably ideal for families but if you want to meet people and do not intend to go to bed at 11pm AVOID at all costs.||||The place sells alcohol which is quire rare €5 a glass of wine or beer €20 a bottle of wine...