8 Best 5-Star Hotels in Fes for a High-End Stay
Looking for the best 5-star hotels in Fes and luxury riads? Discover some of the most incredible places to stay for a high-end experience in Morocco’s “Cultural Capital”.
While Fes doesn’t have a lot of international chain hotels, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deliver when it comes to 5-star experiences. Tucked away in the narrow streets of the medina are some exquisite hotels and riads, which boast all the facilities and services of a high-end stay.
Since I moved to Morocco 10 years ago, luxury hotels have been popping up across the country. It doesn’t look like that trend will be slowing anytime soon! There’s an ever-increasing demand from travellers wanting high-end experiences and the 5-star hotels and riads in Fes reflect that.
Rather than being big, brand-name properties with hundreds of rooms, most of the best 5-star hotels in Fes only have a handful of suites and occupy beautifully restored riads. At the same time, they come complete with sparkling pools, pampering spas and multiple restaurants. Everything you’d expect of a luxury property.
For me, this is the perfect combination. You’re getting incredible services and facilities at a luxury property, without missing out on the cultural heritage that makes Fes such a special place.
In this article, I’ll highlight 8 of the best 5-star hotels in Fes to help you plan an unforgettable stay in Morocco’s “Cultural Capital”. In addition to beautifully restored riads and modern retreats, I’ve included one chain property if you prefer the atmosphere of a big international hotel.
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BEST 5-STAR HOTELS IN FES
Don’t have time to read the whole article? These are my top 5-star Fes hotel recommendations:
Riad Fes – Relais & Châteaux
Best 5-star riad in Fes with a spa
Riad El Amine
Best 5-star riad in Fes with a courtyard pool
Hôtel Sahrai
Best 5-star hotel in Fes with medina views
Riad Fes – Relais & Châteaux
Best 5-star riad in Fes with a spa
Located just off one of the medina’s main arteries, Rue Talaa Sghira, is this 5-star Fes riad. It offers a luxurious and serene retreat on the doorstep of all the action. The centrepiece courtyard showcases exquisite Moorish design, including detailed tilework and elegant archways. Plus, there are comfortable lounges where you can soak it all in.
Riad Fes’s spacious suites are just as stunning. Each is equipped with a king-size bed and a Carrara marble bathroom, some with clawfoot tubs. In my opinion, there’s no better place to end a long day of sightseeing than soaking in a bath!
If you love high-end dining experiences, book in for a meal at the Gayza restaurant. it offers authentic Moroccan dishes and sophisticated French cuisine in a gorgeous setting. After dinner, you can unwind at the rooftop bar, sipping on European wines while enjoying stunning views across the city.
To top it all off, the Cinq Mondes Spa offers two hammams and three massage rooms, providing a range of pampering treatments. Managed under the prestigious Relais & Châteaux umbrella, this really is one of the best places to stay in Fes.
“This place is absolutely amazing! A wonderful little oasis tucked in the medina of Fes.” – Smith (read more reviews here)
Hôtel Sahrai
Best 5-star hotel in Fes with medina views
Perched on a hill overlooking the medina, this outstanding 5-star Fes hotel was envisioned by the French designer Christophe Pillet. Hôtel Sahrai combines traditional Moroccan architecture with a modern twist. It features exquisite zellige tiles, charming copper lanterns and authentic Fassi ceramics, along with custom furnishings throughout.
As one of the best 5-star hotels in Fes, Hôtel Sahrai boasts several restaurants that serve Moroccan, French and Lebanese dishes. Plus, there’s a rooftop lounge bar where you can enjoy the sparkling lights of Fes below. While it’s not located within the medina itself, the views alone more than compensate for this!
When you’re not pampering yourself at the onsite spa, which uses products from Cinq Mondes and marocMaroc, you can participate in one of the hotel’s cultural offerings. These include Arabic calligraphy classes if you want to return home with a personalised memento of your visit to Fes.
“Fantastic boutique hotel, will definitely stay again.” – Christy (read more reviews here)
Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace
Best 5-star chain hotel in Fes
While I’d highly recommend staying in one of Fes’ luxury boutique hotels or riads, the city also boasts a handful of large, chain hotels offering 5-star stays. Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace is among the highest rated of these, with a good choice of beautifully appointed rooms and suites.
The property centres around an elegant lobby adorned with traditional Moroccan design elements, although the hotel itself has a distinctly modern vibe. It’s worth noting that Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace is located in the Ville Nouvelle. So you’ll need to use taxis to get to and from the medina.
Dining at Jnan L’Fassi is a highlight of staying at this 5-star Fes hotel. The restaurant serves authentic Moroccan dishes accompanied by live music most nights of the week. For a more casual experience, you can head to Cafe Marriott or the Pool Bar & Grill. French cuisine is the focus of Bouquet Garni while the EME Lounge features an impressive selection of whiskies and premium cigars.
If you’re someone who prefers a “big” hotel experience or is a member of the Marriott group, Jnan Palace is a great option for a 5-star stay in Fes. It might lack the boutique feel of many luxury properties in the city. But for some, that’s exactly what they’re looking for!
“An amazing stay overall, tastefully decorated rooms and friendly staff.” – Sumaiya (read more reviews here)
Palais Faraj Suites & Spa
Best sustainable 5-star hotel in Fes
Radiating the elegance of times gone by, this 5-star Fes hotel was established in 2012 in a beautifully restored 19th-century palace. Honestly, it feels like an oasis after the hustle and bustle of the medina, tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood near Bab Ziat.
Palais Faraj boasts 31 spacious suites, all beautifully decorated with traditional tilework, furnishings and textiles. They really are a testament to Moroccan artisan crafts. While some face the medina, others offer views of the hills surrounding Fes.
What I particularly love about this 5-star Fes hotel is that it is taking strides towards sustainability. Solar panels help to power the property and there is a concerted effort to reduce plastic waste.
When it comes to dining, you can feast on Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine at L’Amandier restaurant or relax after a day of exploration at the Grand Patio & Pool Tea Room. For those seeking relaxation, the Essencia Spa by Palais Faraj offers authentic Moroccan hammams, as well as exfoliations and massages.
“Exceptional luxury & Moroccan hospitality.” – Youssef (read more reviews here)
Riad El Amine
Best 5-star riad in Fes with a courtyard pool
Nestled in a quiet street in the medina’s southern reaches, Riad El Amine occupies a 19th-century building that embodies the Arabic-Andalusian architectural style. It underwent a three-year renovation process before opening its doors to guests. The result is a masterpiece, to say the least.
Each of the 21 rooms and suites has been designed to reflect the spirit of a traditional Fassi house, with great attention paid to every decorative detail. From the beautiful tilework and hand-carved wooden furnishings to the gorgeous textiles and ambient lighting – it’s like staying in an art gallery!
At the heart of this 5-star Fes hotel is a sparkling courtyard pool, making this one of the best places to stay in Fes in the summertime. There’s also a hammam – the perfect place to thaw out during a winter stay.
“This property is jaw-dropping…the most beautiful hotel I have experienced.” – Fahd (read more reviews here)
Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa
Best small 5-star hotel in Fes
Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa occupies a 19th-century patrician house that has been transformed into a luxurious oasis. Once owned by a Vizir, it was purchased by its current owners in 2006 and has undergone an extensive renovation.
Today, Riad Mayfez seamlessly blends the charm and character of a bygone era with modern amenities and impeccable service. This is something that Morocco definitely has a reputation for.
As an intimate 5-star Fes hotel, it has just seven suites to choose from. Each is individually decorated with subtle Moroccan, Oriental and French touches.
While a continental breakfast is included each morning, you can enjoy meals upon request at L’Odalisque Mayfez. Here, vintage silverware adds a touch of sophistication to the dining experience.
When you’re not out exploring the medina, there’s the option to unwind in the heated swimming pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment or surrender to the soothing embrace of the hotel’s hammam.
“The whole place was stunning. Beautiful communal areas and the attention to detail with the fixtures and furnishings were very impressive.” – Christopher (read more reviews here)
Palais Amani
Best 5-star hotel in Fes with cooking classes
Located in the north of the medina (not far from the tanneries), Palais Amani is a luxurious boutique hotel that once belonged to the Lahlou family. While some sections of the palace can be traced back to the 17th century, the property underwent significant reconstruction in the 1930s after a major landslide.
In the 2000s, it was beautifully restored, transforming it into the 5-star Fes hotel seen today. Not only has it established a reputation as one of the city’s best boutique properties but a culinary destination in its own right.
Palais Amani features 21 uniquely decorated rooms, as well as a gourmet patio restaurant. Plus, there’s a cosy bar with a fireplace – perfect for warming up on chilly nights.
A highlight of staying here is discovering the art of Fassi cuisine at the on-site cooking school, which boasts breathtaking views of the medina from its rooftop kitchen. Alternatively, you can unwind with a traditional hammam experience followed by a massage at Les Bains Amani.
Top tip:
You don’t have to be a guest at Palais Amani to participate in its cooking school, which is renowned as one of the best in Fes.
“The hotel was very luxurious and relaxing…The courtyard was beautiful and the terrace with the views of the old medina was stunning especially at night.” – Mina (read more reviews here)
Karawan Riad
Best 5-star hotel in Fes with a hammam
Set within a beautifully transformed 17th-century palace, Kawawan Riad is one of the finest luxury boutique hotels in Fes. The restoration of this magnificent property has been done with great care, utilising traditional materials like handcrafted zellige, stucco and wrought iron.
It’s impressive, to say the least, and one of the best 5-star hotels in Fes for architecture enthusiasts.
Karawan Riad features seven spacious suites, each uniquely decorated with artefacts sourced from around the world. There’s also a rooftop terrace offering incredible views across the medina.
Dining at the Karawan Restaurant is a highlight of any stay, with exquisite meals and delicious breakfasts that have guests writing rave reviews. Enhancing the charm of this boutique Fes hotel is the Leelah Hammam & Spa, an Ottoman-inspired retreat with vaulted ceilings and heated floors.
“The attention to detail in the riad is exquisite!.” – Fiona (read more reviews here)
Tips for selecting a 5-star hotel in Fes
If you’re thinking about staying at a 5-star hotel in the Fes medina, keep in mind that the district is pedestrian-only. You can’t just drive up and drop off your bags.
If you’re renting a car in Morocco driving yourself, there are a few secure parking spots near the medina entrances. Attendants are on hand here, making it safer than leaving your rental car on the street.
After you book, your hotel or riad will typically get in touch to let you know the safest and most convenient parking options nearby. They will also explain how to get to the property on foot. In fact, they may even send someone to meet you at the parking area so you don’t get lost along the way.
Top tip:
If you’re taking a taxi from Fes-Saïss Airport, you can check Google Maps to find out which gate (“bab”) is closest to your accommodation.
If you want a 5-star Fes hotel with onsite parking, I recommend Hôtel Sahrai or Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace. Both have complimentary valet parking. Just keep in mind that neither of these properties is located within the medina itself. That being said, you can easily reach the district on foot or by taxi.
Most riads and hotels in Fes will also offer airport/train/bus station pickup services. I highly recommend booking one of these. Fes taxi drivers aren’t always honest in the fares they charge tourists and I’ve experienced meter-tampering in the city before.
Alternatively, you can book a fixed-price and reliable Fes airport transfer with Welcome Pickups. A driver will be waiting for you at your arrival point with a sign that has your name. Plus they can coordinate with someone from the property to meet you at the nearest bab. This is much easier than trying to figure out the maze of streets on your own!
When planning your trip, remember there are a lot of mosques in Fes, which have calls to prayer five times a day. These include an early morning (Fajr adnan) at the break of dawn. If you’re sensitive to noise, finding a hotel that’s not right next to a mosque might be wise.
That being said, most of the city’s 5-star hotels have good soundproofing. So it’s less of an issue if you’re planning a high-end stay. To be on the safe side, I recommend bringing earplugs, especially if you’re a light sleeper.
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About Me
I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.
Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.
I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.
