Set in the heart of one of the biggest private gardens in Fes’s Ville Nouvelle, the Marriott opened on the site of the former Jnane Palace. With a vast pool, lots of wining and dining options, and deeply comfortable rooms, it’s perfect for a lazy weekend of winter sunshine.
Just off the main boulevard, Hassan II, which cuts through the middle of the Ville Nouvelle (new city) and leafy Mohammed V, where crumbling Art Deco buildings surround the rather delightful old Marche Central. This part of town is nice for mooching, but nothing to get excited about if your sights are set on shopping. For the latter, head into the old city, just five minutes away (10 dirhams) by petit taxi.
A bit of a mish-mash from the hotel’s former days as the Jnane Palace – during its heyday it was the best place in town, though the common areas now look rather tired – combined with splashy bedrooms where classic Moroccan décor has been given a contemporary overhaul. It’s not exactly oozing with personality, but there’s much to recommend it if you fancy a chilled-out weekend getaway.
Inside, there’s still some work to do: one of the main living areas was originally earmarked as an exclusive whisky bar, then a tearoom, then, evidently abandoned; another remains a brightly lit boutique filled with overpriced old city trinkets. Skip outdoors straight into the sun however, and it’s a whole new world where you can spend your days lolling around the vast swimming pool, stroll gardens bursting with roses and oleander bushes, or working out in the state-of-the-art gym. It’s a shame there’s no hammam or spa, as it’s the kind of place that could do with one, but you can nip across the road to highly recommended Dessange. Excellent marks too for service, which is bright, friendly and genuinely desubtleed to ensure your stay is a happy one.
Smartly decorated with some fun features like the candy-striped throw cushions and damask wallpaper, king-sized beds piled with high-cotton-count linens, cable TV, tea and coffee making facilities, marble-lined bathrooms with both tub and shower. Most have a small balcony overlooking the pool, which makes a delightful intimate nook for a sundowner at the end of the day, though the minibar is meanly stocked at best. They may not have the quirky character or grandeur of the riads in the old city, but when it comes to real comfort this tried-and-trusted brand comes into its own.
If the Moroccan restaurant feels somewhat stuck in the past with poor presentation and not particularly inspiring food (for classic dinners hit the old city), La Dolce Vita, their Italian pavilion-inspired dining room is a breath of fresh air even though not especially Italian food wise. Have cocktails on the terrace beneath frilly pink oleander trees – their mojito served in a silver teapot is inspired, otherwise stick to Casablanca beers and decent Moroccan wines – then make straight for a seriously superb, great bone-in, veal frites. The sunken bar is smoky, but it’s got an old fashioned, cosy vibe that feels just the right side of 1950s glam and live music at the weekends.
The breakfast buffet is generous, offering everything from fresh fruit, yoghurt and French-style patisserie to Berber egg tagines, but it is expensive (pop to a local café and you can have eggs, fresh bread, juice and coffee for under £5).
You can drive to the door, and acres of space means manouvering a wheelchair is easy, although there are no specifically adapted rooms. There’s lift access to every floor.
There is a children’s pool, but beyond this there isn’t much to keep little ones amused so plan activities accordingly.
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