Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa
Eclectic historic-palace grandeur with a slow-travel ethos. Think Silk Road meets Art Deco, intimate and theatrical at once. No itinerary pressure — the vibe is deliberately unhurried, with personalized schedules and a restaurant that sets up wherever guests want.
Order your gourmet dinner in the morning — the slow-cooked Moroccan recipes (tagines, bastilla) need hours of preparation and won't be on the à la carte menu if not pre-booked.
Why It Matters
Named Most Romantic Boutique Hotel in Africa and the Middle East by the World Luxury Hotel Awards in both 2024 and 2025. It sits on 16,000 sq ft of a classified historic monument and intentionally keeps just seven accommodations — six suites and one deluxe room — for maximum intimacy. The spa occupies what was literally the Vizier's harem.
Riad Mayfez is a 19th-century Vizier's palace — Palais Laraqui — classified as a UNESCO historic monument and operating as a seven-suite boutique riad in the heart of Fes's ancient medina. The owner, Dominique Laraqui, leaned into the palace's architectural eclecticism: Arabic-Moorish arches coexist with an Art Deco villa wing, and the decor layers in vintage furniture and antiques she sourced through years of travel. The name itself is a clue — Mayfez merges London's Mayfair with Fez, the city it calls home.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Ambassador Suite Byzance
One of three Ambassador-tier suites, Byzance references the Byzantine Empire's crossroads of East and West — fitting for Mayfez's whole aesthetic. At 50 sqm, it accommodates three adults and has a private terrace on the first floor. Facebook posts from the property frequently spotlight Byzance for its composed, elegant atmosphere. Expect rich layering of textiles, vintage pieces, and considered lighting.
50 sqm
Ambassador Suite Palmyre
The largest of the three Ambassador Suites at 60 sqm, Palmyre is named after the ancient Syrian Silk Road city and sleeps up to three adults. The extra 10 sqm over its Ambassador siblings makes this a comfortable choice for anyone who wants more breathing room. Private terrace on the first floor.
60 sqm
Ambassador Suite Vizir
Named 'Vizir' — a direct nod to the Vizier who once lived in this palace. At 50 sqm, it matches Byzance in size and sleeps up to three adults. Private terrace on the first floor. The name adds a particularly evocative layer of history given that the spa downstairs was actually the Vizier's harem.
50 sqmDeluxe Room Benares
The entry-level option and the only accommodation not on the first floor — Benares sits on the lower ground floor next to the Art Deco Villa. At 30 sqm, it's the smallest of the seven, but it has its own small private patio garden. Decorated with vintage furniture and antiques personally selected by owner Dominique, like all rooms here. Good choice for solo travelers or couples on a tighter budget who still want the palace experience. A few guests have noted a slight mustiness; worth being aware of.
30 sqmJunior Suite Harar
Named after the Ethiopian city that was a key node on the ancient trade routes, Harar is a proper suite at 45 sqm and accommodates two adults. Located on the first floor with a private terrace. Reviewers who've stayed here specifically cite the balcony overlooking the peaceful courtyard as a highlight. A solid middle-ground option — more space than Benares, more intimate than the Ambassador-tier suites.
45 sqmJunior Suite Lalla Tam
At 40 sqm, Lalla Tam is technically the same tier as Harar but slightly more compact. It sleeps up to three adults, making it the better choice for families or a guest traveling with a child. Sits on the first floor with a private terrace. The name 'Lalla Tam' references a Moroccan honorific — a nod to the local culture woven into every room's identity.
40 sqmRoyal Suite Isfahan
The flagship suite at 80 sqm, named after the Iranian city once called 'half the world' for its grandeur on the Silk Road. Sleeps up to three adults. This is the top of the house — at nearly double the size of the two smaller Ambassador Suites, Isfahan is where you go if you want the full palace experience with room to actually move around. Private terrace on the first floor.
80 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
An on-site library for guests.
Curated day trips beyond Fes — including the cedar forest with Barbary macaques, the Immouzer valley ecolodge, and multi-day excursions across Morocco.
The property can organize visits to local wine producers in the Fès-Meknès region, one of Morocco's leading wine-growing areas.
Artisan workshops in traditional Moroccan crafts including calligraphy and wood painting — available on-site.
In-kitchen cooking classes available for guests wanting to engage with Moroccan culinary traditions hands-on. Referenced in the Michelin listing and confirmed via multiple sources.
The team arranges guided tours through Fes el Bali with vetted local guides. Particularly valued by guests for the depth of access — not just the obvious sights. Staff also personally walk guests to dinner spots in the medina at night so they don't get lost.
A dedicated children's playroom in the rooftop conservatory of the Art Deco Villa, with books, toy cars, a medieval castle set, and art supplies. Originally the owner's own children's space, now shared with guests. Parental supervision required.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A lift is available in one wing of the property, providing access to two suites and the rooftop terrace. Most rooms remain staircase-only.
Meals can be served in-suite as part of the 'restaurant without walls' concept.
Approx. 1,000 sqm (16,000 sq ft total property) garden surrounding the central pool.
Sweeping views over the medina and hills beyond Fes. Used for dining, drinks, and relaxing.
A black marble heated pool sits at the center of the riad's patio garden. One of the most photographed features of the property. Poolside bar service available.
Public parking available nearby at approximately €3 per day. The medina itself is car-free.
Transfers to/from Fes-Saiss Airport (~20 km) and the train station available for a surcharge. Contact property at least 48 hours in advance.
BUILD YOUR RIAD MAYFEZ SUITES & SPA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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