Riad Maison Bleue & Spa

Riad Maison Bleue & Spa is an elegant restored mansion at 33 Derb el Miter in Fes el-Bali, near the Bab Boujloud gate in Morocco's Fès-Meknès region. Its location close to the blue-tiled gate, the medina's most common entrance, makes it relatively easy to reach for first-time visitors, since taxis can drop passengers at the gate and porters can complete the short walk through the lanes. From the property, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Talaa Kebira shopping street and the Qarawiyyin quarter are all within a walkable distance. The building is a former townhouse in the Fassi tradition, with an interior courtyard, carved plaster, zellige tile and cedar woodwork, and the atmosphere is formal and refined rather than rustic. Room categories are Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites and Suites, with published rates around MAD 1,800 to 4,000 per night. Listed amenities include a spa and hammam, a restaurant, a rooftop terrace, a courtyard and Wi-Fi. The restaurant serves Moroccan cuisine, a draw for visitors who want to try Fassi dishes such as pastilla, tagines and couscous without leaving the property, and breakfast is typically served in the courtyard or on the terrace. The spa and hammam provide steam, scrub and massage treatments, and the rooftop terrace looks out over the medina. Service is geared to leisure travellers and couples seeking a high-end riad experience, with staff able to arrange guides, restaurant bookings and airport transfers; Fes-Saïss airport is around 15 km from the old city. The hotel can be contacted on +212 535 74 18 73. As in any medina riad, noise from the lanes and the call to prayer can be heard, and visitors benefit from packing light luggage for the walk from the gate.