Riad Le Calife — Hotel in Fez

I wish I could give this stay an 11/10!!!! It would be a shame for anyone to visit Fes and not experience the beauty and hospitality of Riad Le Calife. This was beyond just accommodation - truly the most beautiful riad I have ever stayed in not just because of how stunning the property was (the design, the styling, the ambience) but for the most impeccable, warm service we received. I will absolutely stay here again when we return to Fes and refuse to go anywhere else!

The location: fantastic location just outside the old Medina. Walking distance from the main attractions in the old city. Highly recommend taking a half day walking tour with one of the guides arranged by Yasmine - this was the best tour we had during our stay in Morocco!

The property: beautiful interiors, gorgeous spacious open air courtyard - an absolute oasis and peaceful escape from the outside world. The roof terrace also has a fantastic view over the old Medina.

The rooms: apart from being styled so wonderfully the room had everything we needed - i cannot fault anything. Perfectly clean on arrival and well serviced daily. The bed and pillow was so comfy, we slept super well.

The food: breakfast was great - traditional Moroccan spread with eggs of your choosing which were delicious. I highly recommend dining here for dinner as well - Fatima’s traditional cooking was so hearty and tasty. I will be dreaming of that meal for a while!

The staff: a testament to the wonderful owners of this property, the staff were so incredibly helpful and kind throughout our stay. Everyone went above and beyond to ensure we were well looked after and no ask was too big for them.

The owner: Yasmine is one of the warmest and kindest people we have been lucky enough to meet during our whole time in Morocco. She immediately made us feel at home, like family. Despite us booking so last minute, Yasmine was very responsive and ensured our arrival was smooth - she communicated with our independent taxi driver over the phone to ensure he found directions to the property and had a bellboy already waiting for us to take our luggage to the riad which was only a 2 minute walk away. We were given so much helpful advice about how to explore Fes, and had fantastic tours arranged for us. The restaurant recommendations were also wonderful - Yasmine even arranged to have someone walk with us to and from the restaurant to ensure we wouldn’t get lost through the maze-like streets of the Medina! She truly cares about her guests and went above and beyond to make sure everyone was well looked after and had everything they needed throughout their stay.

We cannot...

A Jewel in the Heart of Fes – So Much More Than Just a Riad.||We recently spent a delightful few days at Riad Le Calife, and from the moment we arrived, it was clear that this is not simply accommodation – it is an experience in itself, curated with warmth, care and genuine passion by Alex and Yasmine, the charming proprietors.||Their attention to detail is evident in every corner of the riad – not only in its beautifully restored interiors but also in their thoughtful approach to hospitality. Alex and Yasmine are true ambassadors for their city. Their enthusiasm for Fes is infectious, and they take great pride in ensuring that each guest experiences the very best the city has to offer. From useful maps and insider tips to restaurant recommendations and personalised itineraries, we felt gently guided rather than ‘touristed’, which made all the difference.||A word of advice – do take up their offer of arranging an airport transfer. The riad is nestled deep within the medina’s winding alleys, and arriving without assistance would have been quite the ordeal. Instead, we were met punctually and brought smoothly to the doorstep, stress-free.||We stayed in the Azure Room, which was beautifully appointed – tasteful, serene and impeccably clean. The bed was firm and very comfortable, with shutters that allowed for a proper lie-in, blocking out the early morning light. The bathroom was a real treat, with a spacious, powerful shower and elegant fittings.||The courtyard offers a peaceful haven from the city’s bustle – leafy, and cool. The restaurant, overlooking the city is a perfect place to enjoy the generous inclusive breakfast. Fatima, the resident cook, also prepared a traditional Moroccan supper for us – wonderfully flavoured and home-cooked with evident love.||We must also mention Saed, who helped guide us through our visit with a calm and reassuring presence – ever helpful, always smiling. Mohamed looked after us with kindness and quiet efficiency, and it was clear that the entire team shares the owners’ ethos of authentic, attentive hospitality.||Upstairs, the rooftop terrace offers panoramic views over Fes, while the cosy bar area provides a relaxed space to unwind with a pre-dinner drink or nightcap.||Riad Le Calife is far more than a conventional riad – it is a place that understands the value of travel and travellers. There is a sense of being genuinely welcomed, not just accommodated. This is a riad with heart, run by people who truly care.||We wouldn’t hesitate to return – and wholeheartedly recommend it to those seeking an authentic, enriching...

Riad staff met us at the medina entrance to ferry our baggage the short distance: a good start to a very relaxing stay in this beautifully and opulently restored house. A quiet side street, dappled shade and vegetation in the patio, lage, comfortable bedrooms, a covered rooftop dining area for breakfast and dinner, sunny terrace for drinks and rest-time, extravagent public rooms to relax in after dinner. Decorated with stained glass, fretwork, sculpted stone, textiles, metalwork etc by medina artisans, supplemented by pictures, artifacts and vitrines full of historical reminders of Fez' rich history, this riad has been curated rather than created by a very dedicated couple.||Human dynamo Alex (French businessman-turned-hotelier) and wife Yasmine (sultry Marocco-Parisienne, plus well-bred pooch) run the riad rigorously and precisely, control freaks in a good way. Food is copious and good quality: having eaten dinner there on on our first night we dined twice more. Staff are very well-trained and attentive to guests' needs. Special thanks to the very good cook Fatima and the smiling, bashful waiter Muhamed.||Alex can be overwhelming in his enthusiasm to inform and lecture guests, but persevere with him! His info is helpful and his advice is good. He arranged a full day tour us to the Imperial Cities - only 110 € with a very helpful driver (Meknes and Moulay Idriss self-evident, and we found that at Volubilis the signboards gave adequate info so we did not need to hire one of the rather off-putting official guides locally). Alex recommended a hammam/massage at a very posh riad next door, which we thought a bit pricey, so he proposed one in the new town that did an excellent job for half the price - just remember to take spare underwear with you. We did not accept his proposal for a costly guided tour of Fez medina, preferring a 'free' Guruwalk with the excellent guide Zakaria who got a big tip.||Our four nights in Fez spent in Le Calife were by far the best accommodation of our four-centre...