Hotel
Riad Fes
A Relais & Châteaux hotel in a restored 14th-century palace in the medina, with two pools, a spa, a rooftop terrace and the Gayza restaurant and…
Hotel Sahrai
A contemporary five-star hotel on a hill above Fez, designed by Christophe Pillet, with a spa, rooftop lounge and Moroccan, Italian and Lebanese restaurants.
At a glance
- Type
- Luxury design hotel
- Area
- Dhar El Mehraz, Fes, Morocco
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Hotel class
- 5-star
- Official site
- hotelsahrai.com
Good to know
- Spa
- Rooftop bar
- Several restaurants
- Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Why we recommend it
Hotel Sahrai offers a very different take on luxury in Fes from the riads of the medina. Instead of a restored palace, it is a contemporary hotel on a hill at Dhar El Mehraz, with interiors by the French designer Christophe Pillet that give the building its bold, contemporary character. It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and its sister properties include Riad Fès in the medina and Villa Sahrai in Casablanca.
Rooms come in four categories, Deluxe, Deluxe View, Superior and the Sahrai Suite, so it is worth paying for a view category if the panorama matters to you. The spa, Spa by Sahrai, is one of the main draws, and hotel guests have free access to the Jacuzzi. The setting on the hillside gives the hotel space that medina riads cannot offer, and it suits travellers who want to come back to calm and room to spread out after a day in the souks.
Food and drink are taken seriously. Amaraz is the gourmet Moroccan restaurant, with beamed ceilings, screens dividing the room and a lute player. Medusa serves contemporary Italian cooking, with wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta and risotto. Jungle, open every evening from 7pm, serves Lebanese cuisine with wine and cocktails on a terrace with a view over the city. The rooftop lounge bar, Salon Lyautey, has a fireplace for cooler nights, and Arcades, a white marble bar under arches, is used for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. You could easily spend an evening here without leaving the hotel.
The hilltop location is a trade-off. You get views and space, but the medina is not on your doorstep, so you will rely on taxis or hotel transport to reach Bab Bou Jeloud and the sights of Fes el-Bali. Ask at reception about transfers into town and about booking a licensed guide for your first morning in the medina. The hotel is also convenient for travellers arriving by car, as there is no need to negotiate the car-free lanes with luggage.
Sahrai suits couples, design lovers and anyone who prefers a resort-style base to a traditional riad. It is also a good choice for a final night in Fes, when a spa treatment and dinner with a view make an easy end to a trip.
Hotel Sahrai FAQs
Who designed Hotel Sahrai?
The interiors are by the French designer Christophe Pillet.
Is it in the medina?
No. It is on a hill at Dhar El Mehraz above the city, so you will need a taxi or hotel transport to reach the medina.
What restaurants are there?
Amaraz for Moroccan cuisine, Medusa for Italian and Jungle for Lebanese, plus the Salon Lyautey rooftop lounge and Arcades bar.
Is there a spa?
Yes, Spa by Sahrai, and hotel guests have free access to the Jacuzzi.
What room types are available?
Deluxe, Deluxe View, Superior and the Sahrai Suite.
Is it part of a hotel collection?
It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Is it good for drivers?
Yes. Because it is outside the car-free medina, arriving by car is simple.
Who is it best for?
Couples and travellers who want contemporary design, space and views rather than a traditional riad.