C G
14 października 2023 r.
This is the only riad you should be considering for your stay in Fes. Yassine (the manager) and his staff go above and beyond in every single way. The property is an impeccably restored 16th century structure with three courtyards, a pool, and rooftop terrace. It’s deep in the medina on a quiet street - exposing you to off the beaten path beauties and encounters with local Moroccans. If that wasn’t enough, it’s the staff and their excellent service that really sets this riad apart. Many riads in the medina will pressure you to bring your friends there, buy a trip to the desert, or take a “tour” that is just shopping. This is not that riad. Riad Dar Bensouda is a sanctuary where you can come to rest and find people who are helpful, patient, and flexible. We never felt pressured in any way during our stay. In fact, we eloped here! Yassine helped us with many of our requests - from chatting with our photographer (who was in charge of our schedule for the elopement), arranging taxi transportation before sunrise that involved a stop to get the photographer at a different location, calling a porter to guide us out of the medina and to the car at 5am, got us day of last minute reservation at the Ruined Garden during peak season (and somehow pulled some strings so we got a coveted garden table!!!), moved our luggage to another room when we extended our stay and needed to switch rooms since someone else had booked ours, brought us tea exactly on time at the end of our elopement ceremony, checked on us when I got a little travelers’s illness, and helping us book a few classes when we decided the day of that we wanted to dive deeper into Morocco’s art and music. The list goes on. The staff here deserves a serious raise for all they did for us. If that’s not enough to convince you, the riad is impeccably cleaned from top to bottom every day. The floors are mopped and rooms are serviced. There’s free continental breakfast served every morning, and lunch and dinner are offered at an additional cost if you prefer to eat in after your long day exploring the medina (the cost can be added to your room and paid with card which is appreciated when the rest of the medina is a cash economy). This medina’s location may not be for everyone. It’s not on the main throughways near Bab Boujloud. Don’t let that affect your choice, however. Being deeper in the medina means less hustle and less traffic. It also means you will be much closer to the sights of the Chaouwara Tanneries, Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts, Palace Seffarine (and it’s amazing metal work souk), Fontaine Sabaghine (the dye alleyway), and University Kairaouine. I found this side of the medina much more authentic. The craftsman coops work out here, and the shops near Bab Boujloud are just resellers. Don’t sleep on exploring deep into this location. If you are only in Fes for a few days, say at Dar Bensouda and ask Yasssine to set up a guide for you. You won’t regret it.
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