Uncover Fes's Hidden Gem: Riad Khouloud's Moroccan Magic!
Riad Khouloud: Fes's Secret Weapon for a Moroccan Dream (Seriously, Book This Place!)
Okay, listen up, fellow travelers. I just got back from Fes, and I'm still buzzing. And the reason? Riad Khouloud. Forget those sterile chain hotels; this place is a vibe. It’s not just a hotel; it's a warm, fragrant, and unbelievably helpful hug after a chaotic day navigating the Fes medina (which, by the way, is AMAZING, but you'll need that hug). This review? It's not just a review; it's a genuine plea: GO.
Let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way first, yeah?
Accessibility & Safety: They Actually Care (And It Shows!)
- Accessibility: Honestly, navigating the narrow alleys of Fes itself is challenging. Riad Khouloud, being a riad, is built in the traditional style, so it’s not a wheelchair-accessible haven. BUT, the staff are incredibly accommodating and willing to help. They’ll go the extra mile to make things work.
- Cleanliness & Safety: Okay, this is where they shine. In a post-pandemic world (and even before), you want to feel safe. And they get it. Their commitment is LEGIT. Anti-viral cleaning products? CHECK. Rooms sanitized? CHECK. Staff trained to the gills in safety protocols? DOUBLE CHECK. Mask up as soon as you walk in. Daily disinfection in common areas? OH YES. Hand sanitizer everywhere you look? You got it. I even saw them sterilizing equipment! Seriously, they're on it. This wasn't just a marketing thing; you could feel the meticulousness. Oh, and there's a doctor/nurse on call if you need one. They've also got a first aid kit just in case you get scraped up on a scooter.
- Hygiene Certification: I can't verify the specific certification, but you could tell they held themselves to a super high standard.
- Security: 24-hour front desk, security measures, fire extinguishers everywhere (which is always a good sign), and CCTV cameras in common areas – they've got your back.
Internet, Internet, Internet! (Because, Let's Be Real…)
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Praise the Wi-Fi gods! Seriously, a MUST in this day and age.
- Internet Access – LAN in the rooms if you need it.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Strong and reliable.
- Internet Services: They've got the basics covered.
- Air conditioning in public areas: Crucial in the Fes heat.
Food, Glorious Food! (My Stomach Still Dreams of It)
- Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants!
- Breakfast (buffet, obviously!) Starts your day perfectly, perfect for a tourist.
- Breakfast in room: You can have it brought to your room!
- A la carte in restaurant: If you want to try the local food.
- Alternative meal arrangement: If you don't like the buffet.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Don't be afraid to try something new.
- Bar: Perfect for a nightcap after a long day.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: You'll probably down a pot, honestly.
- Coffee shop: For other caffeine needs.
- Happy hour: Always a good sign.
- International cuisine in restaurant: They'll have everything.
- Poolside bar: Imagine that!
- Room service (24-hour): Need a midnight snack? Sorted.
- Snack bar: For when you want a quick bite.
- Vegetarian restaurant: If you're a vegetarian, you're sorted.
- Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: If you want something familiar.
- Bottle of water: Always welcome.
- Desserts in restaurant: Duh.
- Salad in restaurant: To feel healthy.
- Soup in restaurant: Comfort food.
The Pool with a View Situation… Seriously, You Need This
Okay, hear me. I've seen pools. I've seen "pools with a view." But Riad Khouloud's? It's different. First, it’s gorgeous. Think vibrant tiles, the kind you want to lick (don't do it!), and surrounded by lush greenery. Second, the view! You look out over the medina's rooftops, especially at sunset. It’s a total Instagram moment, sure, but more importantly, it’s relaxing. I’m not kidding when I say I spent a good two hours just floating, listening to the call to prayer echo across the city. Forget the spa for a minute (we'll get to that), just BEING by that pool after a day of sensory overload? Pure bliss. Total reset button. This is the core of why I tell you to book it.
Relaxation & Pampering (Worth Every Dirham)
- Spa & sauna? Spa/sauna? Steamroom?: Yes to all of it!
- Massage and Body scrub?: YES! Seriously, get a massage. The masseuse was an absolute magician. I walked in a stressed ball of anxiety and walked out feeling like a cloud.
- Body wrap & Foot bath: Treat yourself, honey!
- Gym/fitness & Fitness center?: Gotta combat the glorious food somehow, right? It had what you need.
For the Kids (Bring 'Em Along!)
- Family friendly?: Yes!
- Kids meal?: They have that too.
- Babysitting service?: Because parents need a break.
- Childcare?: The staff are exceptionally friendly and understanding.
Rooms: Cozy, Comfortable, and Chic
- Available in All Rooms! Amenities!:
- Air conditioning: Hallelujah!
- Alarm clock: To wake up.
- Bathrobes: Plush and dreamy.
- Bathrooms: Excellent and sparkling clean.
- Bathtub: Because why not?
- Blackout curtains: For sleeping in.
- Closet: For your clothes.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential.
- Complimentary tea: Free tea!
- Daily housekeeping: Super important.
- Desk: If you have to work.
- Extra long bed: Sweet.
- Free bottled water: Always nice.
- Hair dryer: To dry your hair.
- High floor: Some rooms are on the top floor.
- In-room safe box: Good for valuables.
- Linens: Good quality linens.
- Mini bar: For drinks.
- Mirror: Useful.
- Non-smoking: Most rooms are non-smoking.
- Private bathroom: For your comfort.
- Reading light: You will probably need it.
- Refrigerator: Cool drinks.
- Satellite/cable channels: For some TV.
- Seating area: Great to hang out.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Nice.
- Shower: Needed.
- Slippers: Cute slippers.
- Soundproofing: For peace.
- Telephone: For the room.
- Toiletries: For your needs.
- Towels: Needed for drying.
- Wake-up service: Helpful.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Amazing!
- Window that opens: Air it out.
- Additional toilet: In some rooms.
- Alarm clock: To wake up.
- Bathtub, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free]
Services & Conveniences (They Think of Everything!)
- Concierge: Super helpful with literally anything.
- Contactless check-in/out: Fast and safe!
- Currency exchange: Crucial.
- Daily housekeeping: Rooms are always spotless.
- Doorman: Helpful.
- Dry cleaning: They take care of it.
- Elevator: Good for some.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They can assist!
- Food delivery: In case you don't want to go out.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Lovely trinkets.
- Ironing service: Never a wrinkle.
- Laundry service: Very useful.
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're going to Fes. Not just to Fes, but to live in Fes, even if it’s just for a glorious week. This isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned brochure itinerary. This is my brain, unfiltered, on a trip. Prepare for chaos (and hopefully, some magic).
Riad Khouloud: Fes, Morocco - A Week of Sensory Overload (and Probably Some Lost Socks)
Day 1: Arrival – Where the Hell Am I? (and Those Luggage Tags Better Be Secure)
- Morning (or, let's be real, Mid-Afternoon): Arrive at the Fes-Saïs Airport (FEZ). Immediately question all previous life choices involving packing a suitcase. Morocco in May? That's a good call, I swear. Navigating the airport is actually pretty smooth. Except for that one dude who keeps trying to sell me… well, I'm not sure what he was selling, but it involved a lot of hand gestures and a very determined look. Taxi to Riad Khouloud. The drive is a shock to the system. The smells. The sounds. The… donkey carts? Yep, this is definitely not Kansas anymore.
- Anecdote Alert: Our driver, a lovely gentleman named Omar, kept pointing out things with a theatrical flourish. "Mosque! Beautiful!" "Donkey! Very strong!" I have a feeling I'll be using a lot of adjectives this week.
- Afternoon: Check into Riad Khouloud. Oh. My. God. This place is gorgeous. Like, Instagram-worthy gorgeous. The courtyard, the mosaic tiles, the smell of orange blossoms… I'm going to be broke by the end of the day taking pictures of this place. Settle in. Find the wi-fi password. Immediately post several pictures to Instagram because, duh.
- Quirky Observation: The bathroom is ridiculously fancy. Seriously, I can picture a sultan bathing in here, surrounded by eunuchs with feather dusters. Which, now that I think about it, might not be that fun…
- Evening: Explore the immediate area. Get hopelessly lost within five minutes. The medina (old city) is a labyrinth, a glorious, chaotic, intoxicating labyrinth. I'm instantly overwhelmed.
- Emotion: Panic mixed with pure, unadulterated excitement. I feel like a kid in a candy store, except the candy is… well, everything. The spices, the carpets, the sheer vibrancy of it all. Dinner at a local restaurant near my riad. Eat far, far too much tagine and bread. Regret sets in around 10 PM.
- Rambling Thought: Okay, so getting lost will be a common theme, I can see that. I’m going to need a compass, a GPS, and possibly a small, trained army of carrier pigeons by the end of the week.
Day 2: The Medina Dive – Smell That Leather (And Everything Else)
- Morning: Attempt to navigate the medina with a map that’s about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Fail spectacularly. Get “rescued” by a friendly local who offers to guide me. Quickly realize he's going to take me to every shop owned by his cousin, his uncle, and his dog.
- Honest Assessment: I’m a pushover. I know it.
- Afternoon – The Tanneries. Oh. My. God. Okay, brace yourselves. We're going straight into the tanneries. This is NOT for the faint of heart. The smell… is… intense. Think industrial-strength, nose-hair-singeing intensity. But the view! The colors! The sheer craftsmanship! It's breathtaking, in a gag-reflex kind of way.
- Doubling Down: I actually spend hours at the tanneries. I watch the workers, I document the process, I try not to hurl. I buy a (beautiful, albeit faintly odorous) leather bag. I feel a strange sense of respect for these guys. This is hard work, and they're doing it in the middle of… well, you get the picture.
- Evening: Dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the medina. The view is incredible, especially at sunset. Stumble back to the riad, smelling vaguely of leather and spices. Crash.
Day 3: Cooking Class – I Can Cook! (Kind Of)
- Morning: Cooking class at a local riad. I've made tagine! Actual, edible tagine! (Mostly thanks to a very patient chef.) Learn about Moroccan spices. Realize I know absolutely nothing about cooking. Think about opening a restaurant. Immediately dismiss the idea.
- Minor Category: Kitchen Mishaps: Burned my hand on a tajine. Almost burned the kitchen. Managed to somehow add too much cumin to the dish!
- Afternoon: Shopping, part two. This time I’m supposed to be more assertive. This time I also stumble into a perfume shop. I test all kinds of fragrances and buy a vial of amber scent, a scent that I will associate with this place forever.
- Evening: Relaxing in the riad. Reading a book. Drinking mint tea. Feeling smug about my cooking prowess (briefly). Realize I need to figure out laundry.
Day 4: Day Trip to Volubilis and Meknes – Ancient Ruins and Regal Cities
- Morning: Hire a driver for a day trip. Volubilis is STUNNING. Ancient Roman ruins, massive, impressive, and somehow still standing. It's hard to believe it's been there for so long.
- Emotional Reaction: Feeling a sense of awe. Seeing ancient history right in front of me.
- Afternoon: Meknes. Less dramatic that Volubilis, but beautiful. The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is a must see. The Bab Mansour gate is massive. It's like being transported to another era.
- Opinionated Language: I don't like Meknes as much as Fes. There, I said it. It's beautiful, sure, but it just doesn't have the same raw, chaotic energy.
- Evening: Return to Fes. Exhausted but exhilarated. Dinner at a quieter restaurant.
Day 5: More Medina, More Chaos, More Souk Shenanigans
- Morning: Another attempt at independent exploration of the medina. Get lost, AGAIN. This time, I enjoy it more. I let myself wander. I stumble upon a hidden square. I witness a street performer. I buy a ridiculously ornate teapot.
- Messy Structure Moment: I try to haggle. Fail miserably. Get ripped off. Laugh about it.
- Afternoon: Visit a pottery workshop. See them create masterpieces.
- Evening: Hamman! (Traditional Moroccan bath) Steam, scrub, massage… pure bliss. Walk out feeling so clean!
- Strong Emotional Reaction: I'm going to miss this! this feels so good! I can't imagine how I can have it back home.
Day 6: The Mellah and Pottery – Exploring the Jewish Quarter
- Morning: Visit the Mellah (Jewish Quarter). A stark contrast to the rest of the medina. The history here is palpable. A deeply emotional experience.
- Minor Category: History and Reflection: Think about the stories of this place.
- Afternoon: Check into the pottery. Learn about the process, and try my hand at it.
- Quirky Observation: My attempts at pottery were hilarious. I'd love to say I made something beautiful, but it came out more like a misshapen blob.
- Evening: Farewell dinner at a fancy restaurant. Reflect on the trip. Feel both incredibly full and incredibly sad that it's ending.
Day 7: Departure – Until Next Time
- Morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Buy a rug I absolutely don’t need. Try to stuff everything into my suitcase.
- Afternoon: Taxi to the airport. Say goodbye to Omar. Promise to visit again.
- Evening: Fly home. Smell faintly of leather and spices. Already planning my return. Because Fes, man. Fes.
- Stream-of-Consciousness Rambling: I'm going to miss that crazy city! The smells, the colors, the chaos, the people, the tagine, the… everything! I'll be smelling the spices, tasting the mint tea, and trying to remember, well, everything I could.
Riad Khouloud: Beyond the Instagram Filter - My Messy, Magical Moroccan Adventure!
What exactly *is* Riad Khouloud? Sounds fancy...
Okay, picture this: a traditional Moroccan house, but, like, a *really* beautiful one. Think intricate mosaics, soaring ceilings, a courtyard with a fountain... the works. Riad Khouloud is basically that – a gorgeously restored old house in the heart of Fes's medina. But here's the thing, it's *way* more than just pretty wallpaper. It's an experience. It's where you get lost in a good way, y'know? And for a place built to give you an experience, it really does a damn good job.
And the best part? It's not the sterile, overly-perfect type of luxury you find in some of those cookie-cutter resorts. It's real. It's breathing. It's got character (and a few imperfections, which, honestly, I found more charming than annoying). You'll feel like you're genuinely a part of something, not just a tourist staring in.
Is it hard to find? The medina sounds like a maze!
Oh, the medina. Prepare yourself. It's a delicious, chaotic sensory overload. Seriously, you'll be dodging donkeys delivering who-knows-what and the scent of spices will hit you *hard*. Finding Riad Khouloud initially? Yeah, a little tricky. My first attempt? Epic fail. We got totally disoriented, ended up arguing with a guy selling strangely-colored hats (long story), and finally had to call the riad for rescue. They *will* send someone to meet you though, which is a godsend. Follow their guide – they know these twisting, turning alleys like the back of their hand. Trust me, it's worth the initial bewilderment. That feeling of getting 'home' after a day of wandering? Glorious.
Pro-tip: download offline maps and *always* ask your guide to point out landmarks along the way. Seriously, you'll thank me.
Okay, so what's the *vibe* like? Is it super formal?
Absolutely not! Formal? Honey, no. Think relaxed, welcoming, and genuinely friendly. The staff are phenomenal, utterly charming and *genuinely* helpful. They speak multiple languages, will go out of their way to assist you. It's run by people who truly, *truly* care. They remembered my (random) dietary restrictions and made me feel less weird about them. I felt more like a guest in their home than a paying customer. It's that kind of atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can actually *relax* and not feel like you need to put on an act.
The food – tell me about the food! Is it all tagine and couscous?
Yes, there's tagine and couscous... but it's *exceptional* tagine and couscous! Seriously, the food at Riad Khouloud is a highlight. They use fresh, local ingredients and the flavors are incredible. I'm not even kidding; I don't *usually* rave about food this much, but the breakfasts? Oh. My. God. I’m still dreaming of the fresh orange juice and the freshly baked breads. And the mint tea – endless, fragrant, and perfectly sweetened.
They'll happily cater to your dietary needs, but do yourself a favor and try everything. I highly recommend the lamb tagine with prunes. Absolutely divine. I've been dreaming about it, ever since. And don't miss the chance to take a cooking class with the riad's chef. You'll learn the secrets of Moroccan cuisine and go home with a few new culinary skills.
Warning: Prepare to gain weight. Seriously. It's worth it.
How are the rooms? Are they comfortable?
The rooms are gorgeous. Honestly, each seemed plucked straight from a design magazine. Think comfortable beds with crisp linen, intricate wood carvings, and stunning views (some have balconies overlooking the courtyard). I stayed in a room with a four poster bed - It was like sleeping in a cloud! The bathrooms were clean and well-appointed which is, lets be honest, a major win in a foreign country. Yes, comfortable is a massive understatement. They are havens of tranquility after a day of exploring the frenetic energy of the medina.
Did you feel safe? What about the surroundings of the Riad?
Okay, this is an important one. Fes is *generally* a safe city, but the medina can feel a bit overwhelming at first. The Riad itself felt like a secure oasis. The staff are super vigilant and the location is secure. Once inside, you're shielded from the chaos outside.
Wandering the medina, especially at night, I’d be careful and stick to well-lit areas. Don't flash expensive jewelry, and be aware of your surroundings. But honestly, I never felt *unsafe*. Just… a little hyper-aware, you know? The riad's staff offers helpful advice and will happily arrange taxis or guides if you're feeling unsure. Basically: be smart, be aware, and you'll be fine. And remember, the riad itself is a little pocket of calm.
OK, spill the beans... what was your MOST memorable experience at Riad Khouloud?
Oh god, okay, buckle up because this deserves its own section of epic proportions. It was my second night, the stars were out, and the courtyard looked like something out of a movie. I'd spent the whole day getting lost in the souks, haggling for a rug I didn't *really* need, and generally feeling like a complete tourist disaster. I was exhausted, covered in dust, and slightly overwhelmed (and also, I'd accidentally eaten something super spicy and was regretting a few decisions.)
I went down to the courtyard for what I thought was a quick glass of mint tea. And then... the magic happened. They had organized a private dinner for me, complete with candles, rose petals, and a *live Gnawa musician*. Now, Gnawa music? It's hypnotic, spiritual, and completely unlike anything I'd ever heard before. The musician played these mesmerizing rhythms on a *gimbri* (a three-stringed lute) and sang these haunting melodies. The whole courtyard transformed into a space of pure serenity.
I was totally blown away. It was an emotional experience, honestly. I got goosebumps. (And maybe shed a tiny tear, don't judge me!). The food was incredible, carefully prepared, but the atmosphere, the music, the way everything came together... It was pure magic. That moment, right there, sealed the deal for me. It's not just a riad; it's a place that understands the power of experience, of creating a memory that will stick with you long after you go home. It's what makes Riad Khouloud truly special. I'll never, ever forget it. And I'm already saving up to go back.
