Name: Dar Bensouda
Address: 14 Zkak El Bghel, Elquettanine, 14, Fes, 30 000, MA

8/10

Excellent

26 Apr 2026

Ellery

I’ll start with the good. The location is great and the staff with the exception of the general manager is very kind and eager, going out of their way to be helpful! The general manager put us off from the start. He really wanted to control every aspect of our stay in the city and was very critical of us for booking restaurants and tours on our own . In fact, one tour company that we used said they had many problems with our Riad not sending the guests on the tours they had pre- booked with them. There was definite tension between the two parties leaving us to question who to trust. Our hotel manager kept warning us that we would be taken advantage of by sellers . None of this made us feel good about our choices!
The hotel is very beautiful in its architecture but definitely needs updating in its furnishings. The rooms are not the comfort level one expects for the price ( i.e. the linens and pillows are not good quality, there is a lack of basic incidentals like Kleenex , the bathroom lighting is insufficient, and the furniture is stained and worn. Overall I would not recommend this hotel for the price.
Also beware of the room you are booking.., our friends had no shower and had to go up 6 steep stairs to use their bathroom.

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2026

Josué

The room was not fully clean, previous guests left their mop and rake and it was not cleaned properly. The staff it’s very friendly and always happy to help . Location it’s amazing

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jan 2026

Oksana

Beautiful place.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Dec 2025

Colin

Beautiful inside, nice rooms and staff nice. Breakfast solid too. Only issue is our room was on the bottom floor and near the kitchen (so could hear dishes being washed) and the bathroom seemed to share a window with a families living room. Overall it didn't really affect us but I suspect experience would be better in a room higher up in the building.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

05 Dec 2025

Alireza

This place is not even a 1-start hotel.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

14 May 2025

ANTONIO

Property was nice but not overwhelming. austere would be the way to describe the decor. The rooms were a good size and service was good. But overall, there was nothing memorable about this Riad. Also, as is true for most riads in the Medina, one would have to be picked at the nearest car access and be transported by luggage service to the Riad itself. We are used to this, but Dar Bensouda was quite much farther than what would be typical. Good place, but given stiff competition of riads in Marrakech (so many great options at this price level), will likely not come back…

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2025

Michael

A beautiful 16th Century Fes Palace. We had a comfortable room on the ground floor just off the central courtyard. Roof terrace with commanding views of the city.
Very helpful manager and staff. Good Moroccan breakfast and dinner available.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2025

Pedro

This Riad is lo ated i side the Medina so its advisable to call ahead 20 minutes prior to arrival so a porter can take you and your luggage directly through the maze that is the Fez medina. The hotel can book a private 4 hour tour of the medina with a local guide for $40 Euro and ask if Omar can guide for you. Well worth it! For dinner you can dine in or dine nearby Ruined Garden restaurant. Suggest downloading the Map.Me app to help you navigate around the Medinas in Morroco

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jan 2025

Aboubakrine

It was place to relax

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jan 2025

Marilyn

Dar Bensouda was a lovely oasis of calm in the middle of the Fes medina! When I say “in the middle”, I mean it - so definitely take the option to have a porter meet you with a cart to help you with your bags through the medina! It’s a gorgeous place and reception was super helpful with helping me get in touch with my upcoming desert tour operator to arrange pick up times at location when they initially weren’t answering. Also definitely try their in-hotel hammam and their restaurant too for dinner while you are staying there! I noticed some reviews mentioned a bad smell but that was not the experience for me, throughout the hotel they had that lovely scent infuser like you get in luxury spas which I really enjoyed. Only stayed for one night as I was travelling through from Chefchaouen but wished I could have stayed longer!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jan 2025

Verified traveler

Superb hotel in old Fes.

New Years dinner and celebration was fantastic. Staff very friendly and professional. Highly recommended.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2024

Sanghyuk

Very cool riad built in the 17th century

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Nov 2024

NIDIA DIAENE

Love the place. Staff is the best. Views are great.

6/10

Pleasant

22 Jun 2024

Saquib

This was dep in the medinah— not easy to get to and it was extremely noisy. A decent road but not a 5 star experience.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2024

Alexander

A fabulous Riad. Stunning interior. Great location in the heart of the Fez Medina.

One thing to keep in mind is that there are lot of stairs. Fez is hard if you aren't fit. We were fine but my mother would have had difficulties.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jun 2023

Garrett

We had a great visit. We stayed for a few nights. The hotel is technically two joined buildings. One side has a swimming pool that is great to use on a hot day. There is an extensive roof deck with good views of Fes and comfortable seating. The restaurant is good - we sometimes at breakfast, lunch and dinner there. The rooms are beautiful and comfortable. Also, the staff really went out of their way to help us. We used the spa and it was a highlight too.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2022

Fidias

We were told by everyone this was the best Riad in Fez and they were right. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the drop off point but it’s worth it. It’s a beautiful place like traveling back in time. We had a suite and it was large and very comfortable. The staff was amazing, very helpful. The food was made to order and it was great. I would definitely recommend it to anyone traveling to Fez.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Apr 2022

Stanley

Fabulous Dar Bensouda Fes Medina.

Fabulous traditional Riad in the Medina of Fes, Morocco.
Lovely accommodations and fantastic staff especially manager, Yessin, and Medina guide Aziz.
I would highly recommend staying at Dar Bensouda to anyone going to Fes.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Dec 2021

Mohammed

Wonderful staff and excellent place to stay.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Nov 2021

Cindy

Fabulous time. Beautiful property. Warm, welcoming staff.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2021

Stuart

Wonderful stay, will come back again and again!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Oct 2021

Elke

The property was beautiful and very well maintained. The staff were excellent, particularly the GM, Yassine. He went to great lengths to make sure we were comfortable and felt welcome during a very busy week. We are grateful he was there and are glad to have met him.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

Absolutely gorgeous, historic riad in the epicenter of the Fes Medina! The staff is beyond helpful, the rooms are large and comfortable and the views of the medina from the THREE rooftop terraces are simply stunning and cannot be beat! Don’t hesitate to book your stay here.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

Great Unesco listed property. Unsafe neighbourhood

The hotel is perfect for anyone who wants to experience staying in a beautiful old Fes riad. The location from the nearest parking is at least 15mins walk via the labyrinth of alleyways. It is not the easiest walking journey without some helps finding it. We got conned by the porter who claimed to be from the hotel and wanted 50dh from us upon arriving at the front door. To get in and out of the riad is also a bit scary as the teenagers loitering on the streets just wanted to misguide us and make money from us. Perhaps this kind of experience applies to the whole medina of Fes. The experience going back to the hotel at night is unpleasant as we certainly do not feel safe even I was with my husband. NOT suitable for female travellers. Sadly the neighbourhood is rather not friendly (compare to Marrakech medina which is very safe). The hotel has a beautiful and big terrace which is superb for sunset. The staff are friendly and chatty. I think the hotel service could definitely improved by providing advance guidance for guests who are new to the medina of Fes, to guarantee a safe arrival, to enhance the overall experience before even stepping in to the riad. The staff could give better advice to hotel guest on how to deal with the hassle from the kids on the streets and make guests understand it is fine to walk back after certain time at night, or how to seek help if something do happen to them on the street 10meters from the front door.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

We've just come back from having stayed three nights at Dar Bensouda in Fes. While we didn't particularly like Fes as a city, we fell in love with this riad and the people working there. In particular the manager Omar and Mamoune truly made our stay. They're beautiful humans who were always happy to help and went above and beyond to help us with transport and train tickets. The riad itself is a stunning place to come home to at the end of the day - we loved the pool, the breakfast and the beautifully cooked food. Thank you!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2019

elizabeth

Unique accomodation in an old world

Amazing location in the middle of the Médina and beautiful Riad with the comfort of a restaurant and pool and very helpful staff

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

This place is an immaculately preserved home from the 15th or 16th century with all original/restored details that will simply take your breath away. Add in the unbelievable view of the city/Medina from the rooftop terrace, the plunge pool and lounge area and the delicious food for breakfast (free!), lunch and dinner (affordable!) and you can’t beat this place. It’s clean and gorgeous and one of a kind—I’ve never stayed anywhere like it. Don’t miss this opportunity!!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

We enjoyed the rooftop view. The staff was able to provide dinner for us on the roof as we watched the sunset. The door to our room did not close fully.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

12 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Excellent location and very comfortable Riad. Would highly recommend this for a stay in ages.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Dec 2018

Alex

Excellent quiet retreat in the center of crazy Fez

The room was spectacular! Like a little apartment! And it was nice to have a restaurant there where I could order different things because it was too confusing to find anything at night. The rooftop was also INCREDIBLE. I could have lounged up there all week!

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2018

Fredy

People were very kind and professional, beautiful hotel and rooms

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2018

Anne-Marie

A beautiful riad, we enjoyed our stay. very lovely staff, really helpful. We did find the area a bit removed but located near to a lovely restaurant (Ruined Garden). All in all a good stay.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

07 Aug 2018

Luiz

Dar Bensouda may have been the most amazing Riad was stayed in during our time in Morocco. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the comfort and satisfaction that we felt while eating dinner poolside and enjoying our amazing room was second to none. A truly fantastic experience that should not be missed while visiting Fes.

8/10

Excellent

05 Apr 2018

Maite

Clean, simple and very traditional!

Amazing architecture with beautiful colors and doors, the staff is very good and the rooms are simple but very cosy. The breakfast was not as good, but overall a very nice stay!

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

Beautiful riad in the heart of the medina

The riad is simply beautiful. The central courtyard which greets all guests when they are checking in is so grand. It’s difficult to find the riad at first so you should probably contact the riad to arrange for a porter to pick you up. The room is big and has most amenities. Perhaps the only thing missing is a tv, but that’s good because you can fully enjoy Fez without that distraction.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

Comfort and relaxation

The staff were friendly and really helpful with suggestions on how to spend our days. The food was delicious and it just the perfect stay. Will definitely come back.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2018

Grace

Best Riad in Morocco

It was an amazing experience staying in this riad! This place looks beautiful with a mix of modern and traditional Moroccan vibe. The room is big and luxurious. Service was good as well; the riad is quite deep in the medina but the riad provides a friendly guide who will guide you to and from the riad to your nearby destination. We also had dinner there which was superb, one of the best tajines we tried in Morocco! It was a very good experience and we would definitely recommend this riad!

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jan 2018

ivo

Gorgeous, clean Dar located in the heart of the medina. Roof top with the most incredible roof in town. We spent a quiet New Year's Eve, getting ready for it with hamam followed by dinner. Nye menu was preset but the food was best we tryed in Fes. Overall it was the swankyest hotel we stayed during our 22 day trip to Morocco. I would stay there again and I'd recommend it highly.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Nov 2017

Verified traveler

Breathtaking Riad!

The riad was spectacular.The architecture is amazing and the riad was spotless and very well cared for. The pool area was romantic and welcoming and the riad boasted a restaurant eating area and a beautiul roof top patio. Breakfast was plentiful and staff couldn't have been more friendly or helpful. Lastly we had a gorgeous room with high soaring celilings and a historical door. We would highly recommend!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Oct 2017

Hamid

Location

The only problem was the location,hard to find your way out, walking around all day in these ally is not easy!!!!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2017

Verified traveler

Great guesthouse staff amazing. But lots of steps if that's a problem for you.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Sep 2017

Eddie

Great Riad!

Absolutely amazing!!!! I'd DEFINITELY go back anytime! Service was over the top! Anything we wanted or needed was available 24/7. Such an amazing place to stay!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Sep 2017

Denika

Absolutely incredible

Absolutely incredible for those looking to stay in the medina

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2017

Kelly

Best riad in Fes!

Absolutely beautiful riad in the heart of the medina. Loved everything about this place - the lobby knocks your socks off. The rooms are stunning. The restaurant and pool area makes you never want to leave. And the rooftop is magical. Will definitely come back.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Sep 2017

jacob

Great hotel with a pool and good food.

This hotel was really lovely and has great staff. We even received an upgrade upon arrival because they had the space available. The pool is very nice and the restaurant makes some great food as well. The only thing is that it is quite difficult to find and you have to walk a long way to get to it through some at times not so pleasant areaS. Other than that we loved it.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Aug 2017

Verified traveler

Gorgeous oasis in middle of Chaotic Medina

An absolute must in Fes. Everything about this Riad is lovely, from the ever helpful staff to the delicious food. It was recommended to me by my best friend.

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jul 2017

Sophie

best place in Morocco

It is really an oasis in the middle of Fes old town. Perfect location, friendly staff, beautiful garden. Room is huge and has super high ceiling. We had the dinner there and salad turns out to be the best salad we had in the whole Morocco.

8/10

Excellent

02 Jun 2017

Verified traveler

Beautiful Dar in the center of Fez medina. Overall the staff was courteous and service was ok, could have been better but due to Ramadan service was slow. Location was the only issue, it is located in a very desolate area of the Medina which made it not too comfortable to walk at night.

Family

8/10

Excellent

28 May 2017

Allison

Beautiful hotel, a bit tricky to find in Medina

Very attentive staff, huge breakfast with lots of selection, lovely plunge pool. Get someone to meet you at medina wall when you arrive in fes as the Riad is hard to find.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Apr 2017

Jenny

Fes stay

The riad was amazing and the staff were very accommodating. Would definitely come back to stay here if ever in fez and would recommend.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2017

Cheeko

the only riad you should consider staying at!

Riad Bensouda is as magical as the pictures suggest. It is located in an old house that has been restored very tastefully. We had two rooms on the same floor and they were huge, with high ceiling, and windows opening the the courtyard. The roof is amazing, with 3 levels and a wonderful 360 view of the city. The manager Saeed and the staff ( Ibrahim ) were excellent. We had breakfast 3 days and there was a large selection of fruits, breads and eggs. We had dinner one night and it was excellent. The staff recommended a number of restaurants and activities that made our stay wonderful.
I would recommend anyone going to Fez to stay at Dar Bensouda only! You will love it!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Apr 2017

Verified traveler

Deep in the Medina

The hotel was excellent. ABSOLUTELY take their offer to have someone pick you up at the airport and bring you to the Riad- otherwise you would never find it in the maze of the medina. The staff were unbelievably accommodating and made all sorts of arrangements for our comfort. I would HIGHLY recommend this Riad!

6/10

Pleasant

30 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

Beautiful not comfortable!

The hotel is very nice and like a historical monument but it is not really comfortable.The water of bathroom and room temperature is not enough warm.Hotel location is hard accessible.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2017

Aniela

Beautiful riad

Great experience, just what we wanted.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jan 2017

Germaine

Beautiful respite in the center of the medina

Dar Bensouda is a lovely riad in the center of the medina in Fes. The room was quite comfortable although it did take us a bit to figure out how to heat the room appropriately. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating! They really went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and have everything we needed. The food served at the riad was also wonderful and much welcomed after walking around all day. I also got a massage which was quite nice and worth making the time for in our short weekend trip.

The medina is as confusing as others have said so we hired a guide which was well worth it!

Family

8/10

Excellent

26 Jan 2017

Verified traveler

Good

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2017

Alice

Quintessential Dar in Fes

Loved this little gem! The service was wonderful as was the hammam experience. Definitely would recommend for anyone visiting Fes. The location and finding the dar maybe a little tricky so recommend calling ahead to make arrangements for a guide to take you once you enter the medina.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2017

Amy

Like staying in a palace

So beautiful! We didn't want to leave! It rivals the main palaces and tourist attractions in the area for sure!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2016

CHOY FUN

The hotel was a real haven, especially when it was quite tough to navigate the streets in the Medina. We were given a local phone and we were able to call for directions and help. All the staff were nice and helpful and were always there. It's a really beautiful Riad and the food was so good.

Fes is an aggressive city, you will need this haven and the wonderful staff to restore your Zen at the end of the day.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2016

Sonia

Highly Recommended!! Best Experience Ever!!

I loved every aspect of this hotel!! It was so magical and so nice to be part of it during our stay in Fez.
Its a hidden gem and a must experience. The staff is excellent and the rooms are simply amazing.
I recommend this to anyone who is looking to stay in the old medina of Fez. I will definitely be staying there again.

10/10

Exceptional

01 Oct 2016

Eric

Oasis in the Medina!

Just stay here. Trust me. It's location is nice in the Medina, but you'll never want to leave the Riad because it is just that nice.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Aug 2016

K

Amazing!!!

After navigating the medina which is not easy when you first arrive, my partner and I were greeted with a smile, some water and a seat by the manger Amilia. She also informed us that typically they have someone greet you at the bottom of the medina to assist you with your luggage and navigating the streets of Fes if you call or email ahead of time. Once I confirmed my reservation, we were immediately escorted to our room and were brought tea and biscuits. A staff member brought our luggage to the room for us. After settling in we decided to go grab dinner. Before leaving Dar Bensouda, we were given a phone to call the riad once we were done with dinner so someone can escort us back(since it was our first night and the medina can be tricky). We were able to easily transition into the flow of things around the medina because of the excellent work by the staff at Dar Bensouda. The central location was also very helpful, in 5-10 minutes you're in the heart of the medina. The room was almost perfect except for two low beams that can be a little annoying to dodge when heading to the bathroom. The breakfast was excellent, fast and fresh. The rooftop provided amazing views of the medina, along with ample space to relax. The pool and lounge area were also excellent spaces to recharge. Again I cant stress how helpful and excellent the staff were. I highly recommend staying at this riad!

10/10

Exceptional

11 Nov 2015

Legrand

Amazing stay

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Sep 2015

Nadia A.

GORGEOUS hotel! Wanted to stay longer!

Great service. The manager spoke excellent english which made our stay easier and it's located in the twisty-turny medina of Fes, but they have a service where you call them and they send a guy to come fetch you wherever you're lost! Great breakfast and service! Gorgeous restored building...almost as pretty as the tourist attraction down the road mosque al-quraiyine---so you kind of want to just stay in the hotel instead of venturing out. They have masseuse come on-demand if you make a reservation and fun games like cards and chess in the lobby. Excellent service

Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2014

Verified traveler

Stunning hotel

Our first words on checking in were 'wow'.

This hotel is truly stunning, the rooms, internal courtyard and the roof terrace.

Staff and service are superb. Food is of an excellent standard, staff can vary the menu slightly if the menu options seem limited. There's few other restaurants near to the hotel.

We've marked the surrounding neighbourhood down slightly. This is due to the recognised inconvenience of hawkers/youths that unsettled us slightly on return to the hotel one day.

Overall, one of the best hotels we have stayed in. This comes highly recommend if you are planning to go to Fez.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2013

Daniel

Excellent hotel

We spent 3 excellent nights in Dar Bensouda over the Christmas period. The boutique style riad is clean and beautiful, with a classy minimalistic design touch on a traditional house. Our room was spacious and beautiful. The service was impeccable, very helpful at all times. Only downsides: Not all staff fluent in English (this is common in Morocco riads), but those who didn't could communicate properly and professionally. It's also a bit hard to find, and some 15 minutes walk through the Medina maze from Bab Boujloud, the main gate - coordinating in advance of your arrival is a must. I would happily book it again. Highly recommended.

Partner

4/10

Poor

09 Dec 2013

Aaron

Only for Explorers

The Hotel in fact is a very nice place to enjoy your stay, it offers a real authentic experience inside the Medina, with local food and beautiful rooms (half iluminated). However you must be aware about the Medina which is poorly maintaied with lots of trash and unsavory odors. It is pretty easy to get lost there, and no one is willing to help you, unless they are getting money for that. So, you MUST consider hiring a real guide or taking a tour to the city. If you contract a shuttle from/to the airport the Hotel sends some one to take you to the door. But if you don't know the place and you decide to go out on your own you must reconsider.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2013

Verified traveler

Amazing Riad is Fes!

Fantastic place to book in the heart of the Medina. Amazing rooftop terrace that looks out over the city. Staff were great and offered us good suggestions on where to eat as well arranged for people to take us to and from the Riad. Best experience for us in our 3 week vacation to Morocco.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2013

jennytto

awesome experience!

Dar Bensouda is gorgeous! You feel like you're somewhere very special because of the architecture, decor, and staff. The room we stayed in was very clean and had modern, moroccan feel. DO have dinner at least once because the food is excellent! We actually dined at the hotel both nights of our stay because we were so pleased after our first dinner. The hotel also offers extra services for your convenience, such as: guide for going to and from hotel (it is verrrrry difficult to find on your own), drivers for private tours, etc. We had to leave early for our flight and breakfast was prepared off hours to accomodate us. Really great experience and if I ever find myself back in Fes, I will definitely be staying here again!

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2013

Malc

Fabulous

Quite simply one of the most beautiful places we have ever stayed in, with exceptional hospitality from very attentive and friendly staff.

8/10

Excellent

06 Aug 2013

meltwaterfalls

Great mixture of opulence and pared back design

The level of decoration was wonderful. Very ornate designs around the riad were sensitively restored and presented. The furnishings were very plain and simple which I also really liked, though my wife did find the bed a little too firm. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the pool was a welcome break from the heat. Roof terrace offered great views of the medina. Once you get your bearings in the Medina the Riad is pretty straightforward to find, being just a few turns from point 32 on the Green Walking route through the medina. On a seperate note, (and outside the control of the riad) we found the streets outside the riad, and more generally in the medina fine during the day but not especially welcoming to women after dusk.

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2013

Christina

Amazing Dar Bensouda

Reserved the standard room at a great deal which was spacious and airy with a very high ceiling. Excellent and attentive staff service. The complimentary breakfast was quite filling and served well. Dinners reserved ahead of time are tasty. Although the riad is quite a distance from the exits of the medina, it is so worth it. The accomodating staff gave me the opportunity to see their other beautiful rooms and was blown away. I highly recommend this riad and would definitely return.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Oct 2012

Joanne

Centre of Medina

The hotel was excellent as was the staff in both welcoming you to the hotel and providing service. The only thing to consider is the uphill trek to the hotel at peak times...crowds were overwhelming.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Apr 2012

Lee

you must stay here when you go to Fez

Dar Bensouda is a truly amazing place, and a perfect place to stay in the amazing city which is Fez. If you are visiting Fez for the colorful atmosphere and the amazing architecture, you will see places like the Madersa Bou Inania, with the stucco ornamentation and exquisite tilework characteristic of the best of Islamic decorative arts, and then you will go back to your own room in a part of a mansion that references the same architectural and decorative tradition. I felt like I was sleeping in a museum, or a castle. It was beautifully appointed, well-maintained and the staff and service were uniformly excellent. Also, while the atmosphere was redolent of Arabic history and perfectly suited to its location in the medina, the riad itself offered a peaceful, quiet respite from the bustle and crowds just outside. I highly recommend Riad Dar Bensouda!

One caution: it was very difficult for us to find. Get the best map of the medina you can find, and be prepared to contact the riad directly for directions.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2012

s

location

Taxis are not allowed in the medina. Hotel is difficult to find, but this is true for many nice riads in medina area. They do send a man to pick you up and drop you off at the taxi stand. Bring the phone number to call for help.

If you are easlly confused from travel or get lost, could be a problem.

Riad is so nice insude and staff is great. Wine is available.

You will need to navigate the medina to get to restaurants and shops. Maps are almost useless. Local people are a nusance.

Remember RULE #1 in medina - Be careful getting advice or directions as they are often used to send you to shops. Even paid guides do it.