Riad Mikou

For €15 a night, this was a bargain for a room in a centuries-old Riad in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Medina of Fez. The room was simple and typical of a Riad, and the whole stay felt unique. Anyone wanting a five-star hotel can pay €200 or more instead. Younese and Fatima were helpful hosts, especially for a first visit. They arranged the airport transfer I used, with a decent car rather than an old taxi, and someone met me at the Medina gate to guide me to the Riad. I recommend taking that transfer because finding the place on your first visit is difficult. They also made me mint tea at no extra charge. I traveled alone as a woman and felt quite safe walking through the Medina, even in the evening. I hope to return.

Fatima and Yunes were lovely, and we were very happy with our three-night stay at Riad Mikou. The breakfast portions were generous, the place was clean, and the beds were comfortable. There’s a rooftop terrace with a nice view. This is more hotel-like than a typical hostel, with no bunk beds or communal spaces. That suited us, though people hoping to meet other travelers might prefer somewhere else. It can be tricky to find at first, so I’d arrange to meet Hassan, the manager, at Place Rcif nearby. Once you know the way, it’s easy.

The staff were the highlight. They were genuinely kind and made our time in Fez a 10. Good value for the price, too, with a handy spot inside the medina and a terrace overlooking the area. Marcos and Micaela from Argentina.

Youness, his wife, and their daughter were wonderful hosts, so kind and attentive. When my wife caught a cold, she made her tea and tajine. If you mainly want somewhere to sleep, have good tea, and enjoy a nice conversation, this could be a great fit. The room itself was the problem. It was so cramped that we couldn’t open both suitcases at once. The bathroom had a funky smell that spread into the room, and there was no toilet paper, shampoo, or hand soap. The clothes hanger stand was broken, so we couldn’t hang anything. A portable electric radiant heater sat in the small room alongside our luggage, which felt dangerous and like it could easily start a fire. For a comfortable stay, Riad Mikou may not be the right choice.