Karawan Riad

Karawan Riad is a boutique hotel in a 17th-century house in the Andalous quarter of the medina, close to the R'cif area and next to the El Amal cinema. It has built a strong reputation for design and hospitality and holds a MICHELIN Key, the guide's recognition for outstanding places to stay. The riad's suites are named after winds, Dzhari, Chergui, Harmattan, Zephyr and others, which hints at the theme of journeys and caravans that runs through the house.

The suites are arranged around the central courtyard in the traditional way, and their individual names and decoration make each one feel distinct. The scale is intimate, so the atmosphere is closer to staying in a private house than in a large hotel. The terrace looks out over the medina and is a good place for breakfast or a drink at the end of the day. Leelah Spa and Hammam offers a traditional hammam ritual and massages.

The Karawan Restaurant serves what the riad calls bistronomic cuisine, with Moroccan or Mediterranean choices at lunch and dinner. You can eat in the dining room, in the patio or up on the terrace, depending on the season and the time of day. Having a good restaurant in the house is particularly useful in Fes, where navigating the lanes at night can be daunting on a first visit.

The location in the Andalous quarter puts you on the quieter, eastern bank of the medina, within walking distance of the Mosque of the Andalusians, the Sahrij Madrasa, Place Seffarine and the Qarawiyyin. The riad describes its position as next to the El Amal cinema towards R'cif, a useful landmark when arranging taxis. Ask the riad to meet you on arrival, as the lanes are not easy to follow at first. The riad's website has a page with directions.

Karawan suits couples and design-minded travellers who want a small, characterful riad with a serious kitchen. It is less suited to large groups because of its size. Book early, especially in spring and autumn, and reserve dinner in advance if you want to eat on the terrace.