Riad Jamai

We had dinner at the riad and the food was excellent; breakfast was a tasty, typical Moroccan spread as well. The staff were lovely, and the architecture is beautiful. It’s a historic property inside the Medina, which will suit some travelers more than others. If that’s what you’re after, it’s a great choice and very good value. One of our favorite riads from the trip.

The staff were very kind and helped us sort out problems with our room. Downstairs, the shared space and terrace are lovely and picturesque. Breakfast was hearty and good, especially for a complimentary meal. We also had a nice in-room massage arranged through the hotel. Our review is specifically for the small Canelle room, which a travel agency booked for us. We should have checked the photos first. It was extremely small, including the bathroom, which had no separate shower area. We saw one of the large family rooms while getting our massage, and it looked much nicer. Our room’s WiFi didn’t reach, but staff kindly brought us a router. The only window looked into the common room, so it got noisy when people ate or left early in the morning or late at night. A different room could make for a much better stay. Plan on walking from the nearby roundabout. The pedestrian lanes get crowded with people, motorcycles, and some cars in the evening, so arriving earlier is a good idea if you have lots of luggage. The hotel is in the north Medina, in a working-class area rather than a busy tourist zone. That means a longer taxi ride when you arrive in Fes, and more walking to the main Medina sights. It wasn’t a major problem for exploring during the day, but going out to dinner at the better-known restaurants meant a trek at night. Nearby, it’s mostly street food, which may be why many guests ate at the hotel. They offered several affiliated services, including guides, dining in, and a nearby restaurant. It was nice to have the options, and we did choose the massage, but I found the other services pretty overpriced compared with what’s available elsewhere. We also would have appreciated a break from being sold to.

Really bad experience. The service felt completely unprofessional. The night receptionist paid little attention to guests and was always on his phone. I asked for white wine; he said yes, left me waiting a long time, then came back to say they didn’t have any. That’s unacceptable at a riad that says it offers good service. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

Amin was a good host and gave great service, but the rest of the staff unfortunately didn’t understand much English. The rooms are very tiny, with no shower, closet, fridge, kettle, or iron. Breakfast was limited to bread, pancakes, and coffee or juice. There’s no lift, so be ready to carry your bags up to the third floor. The hotel is in a poor location, down a narrow passage taxis can’t enter, in a very busy area.