Palais Faraj Suites and Spa

Palais Faraj Suites and Spa is aimed at travellers who prefer a suite to a standard room, and a suite format changes the feel of a stay in Fes. Instead of a single bedroom, you get a sitting area or separate spaces, which is useful when you spend long hours in the room, travel as a family or want a quiet place to read after a day of walking. The word spa in the name signals treatments and relaxation, a welcome feature in a city where days are active and surfaces are hard underfoot. Palace-style hotels in Fes tend to combine Moroccan decoration with modern comfort, so expect tile, plaster and carved wood alongside air conditioning and contemporary bathrooms, although the details vary from room to room. If a view matters to you, ask about it when you book, because the best Fes hotels make good use of terraces and rooftops, and a view over the old city at sunset is a highlight of a stay. Think carefully about location and access, since hotels outside the car-free lanes can be easier for luggage and late arrivals, while those within the medina put you closer to the sights.

Before you book, compare suite types. Some are designed for couples, while others sleep families, and layouts differ, so check beds, bathrooms and sofa arrangements in the room description. If you are travelling with children, ask about cots and extra beds. If you need accessibility, ask about steps, lifts and bathroom layouts, because older buildings can have uneven floors and stairs.

Plan your arrival with the property. Tell staff your flight or train time, and ask whether a driver can meet you. Confirm the check-in process, since many Fes hotels ask for passports at arrival. Meals are an important consideration. Ask whether breakfast is included, when dinner is served and whether the restaurant takes outside guests, as eating on site can save a long walk after a full day.

For the spa, book early, ask what treatments are available and check the etiquette for the hammam. In summer, a quiet room with good air conditioning matters, and in winter, ask about heating.

Spring and autumn are the busiest seasons and local holidays can fill rooms, so book ahead. Such a property makes a comfortable base for day trips to Volubilis, Meknes and the Middle Atlas, because you return to space and calm. Since policies, rates and facilities change, confirm everything that matters to you before you commit. It also helps to confirm what is on offer for evening meals and whether the spa takes bookings from guests in advance, so that your first evening is planned rather than improvised.