The heart of the Medina

It might be a cliché but the ambience here is all “1001 nights”. The Dar Bensouda is an authentic old palace in Fez dating back a couple of centuries that has now become a fascinating Fez guesthouse, constructed in the time honoured Moroccan way and all the more beautiful for it.

That means courtyards, two of them, one with a fountain around which eleven luxury rooms and suites are arranged and the swimming pool courtyard which even has a garden.

Like any place of character and authenticity, no two rooms are alike, though they all come with air conditioning (a must have on balmy Fez nights) and en-suite bathrooms with shower. Then there’s the outstanding “Hamman” (steam bath) and the wellness treatments available in-house.

To cap it all, the views from the roof-top terrace are spectacular and take in not only the Medina, the very heartbeat of the city, but also the Atlas Mountains. Also don’t forget to try the Dar Bensouda’s excellent cuisine. Eating here is an experience not to be rushed.

With all this, it is no surprise to hear guests speak of the Dar Bensouda in glowing terms. “Beautiful place”, “I cannot praise it enough”, “impeccable”, “Mahmoud and Youssef were wonderful”. You get the drift. Such feedback is fully deserving.