In the dark alleys of the Medina (medieval district) in Fez, Morocco, you can find a modern luxury hotel Karawan Riad, hidden away behind a large wooden door. It is one of the most beautiful hotels in Fes Morocco. As you step into this newly renovated architectural gem, you feel like you walk into an Arabic palace, decorated with crystal chandeliers. The hotel was only re-opened about a year ago after it was being renovated for 11 years. Guests are ushered to the welcome room to fill out the registration form and to enjoy some Karawan tea with snacks after arrival. In the welcome room, there are glass jars hanging from the ceiling filled with various Moroccan herbs. The room is stylish and beautifully designed.
Welcome Room, Karawan Riad – hotels in Fes Morocco
The Dining Experience
The dining room next to the welcome room is black and white with large heating lamps, decorated with crystal chandeliers. The service is excellent, the waiter talks in multiple languages and he recommends different kind of wines for each courses of meal. The cuisine is exceptional. The young Moroccan chef of the hotel was trained by a French chef and he prepares excellent Moroccan and European dishes.
Dining Room, Karawan Riad – hotels in Fes Morocco
Cuisine of Le Karawan
The first night we were welcomed with a Moroccan Salad, which was 5 different kind of vegetables prepared in a different way. My favorite salad was steamed carrots with cinnamon. After that we tried the Lemon and Olive Chicken in a tajine and finished with Chocolate Souffle with vanilla ice-cream. All these dishes were served with excellent Moroccan wines, recommended by our waiter.
Dinner at Le Karawan
The Breakfast
The breakfast was served on the rooftop of the hotel overlooking the entire Medina. It was beautiful and sunny up there. For breakfast, guests are served a wide selection of Moroccan pastries with lemon jam, mixed berry jam and local honey. They also serve home-made yoghurt, goat cheese, eggs, sweet semolina soup, pancakes and croissants as well as fresh-pressed orange juice and fruit salad. No one has a chance to leave the breakfast table hungry. There were sunbeds to lay out on the roof and the best way to finish the breakfast was by laying under the sun admiring the views of the city below us.
Breakfast at Karawan Riad – hotels in Fes Morocco
The Library
The hotel has a beautiful lounge/library which is designed in African style with brown and dark colors. Its comfortable sofas, crystal chandeliers and many books along the walls makes one forget about the outside World. It is the perfect place for guests to relax and enjoy a cocktail after a day of sightseeing in this busy town.
Library/Lounge at Karawan Riad – hotels in Fes Morocco
Seven Luxury Suites of Karawan Riad
The interior design of every suite including the library is a piece of art, where every piece of furniture, book and piece of decoration was carefully selected to create a beautifully designed room. Most of the suites are duplexes and they are all newly renovated with modern bathrooms. Every room is decorated with a different color. One suite is red, another one is white, another one is brown. Each room is very stylish and beautiful. Some of the toilets are also designed in a beautiful way. The suites are each a piece of art, they mix modern design and comfort. Each suite has a private balcony with sofas overlooking the inner courtyard.
Luxury Suites of Karawan Riad
Luxury Suites of Karawan Riad
Luxury Suites of Karawan Riad
Luxury Suites of Karawan Riad
The Hammam and Spa
Hammam is a traditional Arabic bath. This hotel has a modern hammam in the basement of the hotel where guests are washed and rubbed by a local hammam specialist. The lady uses local herbs, black soap and mud to nourish her client’s body. After she washes and rubs the body and the hair, she finishes the session with a massage. It is a very authentic and fun experience to try a hammam and I can only recommend it to all visitors to Morocco. The session took about an hour and we went on to have a full hour massage afterwards. Grapefruit or sesame oil is used for the massage and the masseuse works hard on all parts of the body.
Hammam of Karawan Riad
The Staff
The hotel has a very warm staff. Everyone is looking out for the well-being of the guests. They are helpful and always ready to address any needs or desires of the hotel guests. Most people who work in the hotel are multi-lingual, they speak English, French, Spanish and Arabic. They have great recommendations for restaurants or things to do in the city. One of the best things about the hotel is the attentive service each guest receives while staying here.
The Guide
The hotel works together with a very knowledgeable local guide. The gentleman is a professor at a local university and has an in-depth knowledge of the city and its history. He can take the hotel guests on a full-day or a half a day tour and introduce them to the long history of Fez and show them some of the most charming sites of this beautiful city.
Karawan Riad combines luxury with tasteful interior design. Every room has been thoughtfully furnished and decorated. The cuisine is amazing and the service is excellent. Hop on the plane and visit this beautiful hotel for a weekend and I am sure you will thank me for the experience.
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Karawan Riad in Fez, Morocco
About Barbara
Barbara is a London based luxury travel and lifestyle blogger. She started traveling through Paris, London, New York, Milan, Tokyo at the age of 17 to conquer the World as a model. Ever since, she has visited 67 countries. She writes about the most exclusive jet-set destinations such as Cannes, Venice Film Festivals, Monaco Grand Prix, Oscar Parties in LA, Fashion Weeks in Milan or Paris as well as yacht parties in St-Tropez, Miami Art Basel, Biennale in Venice, Frieze in London or the Royal Wedding in Monaco.
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