Riad Laaroussa

Fes, Morocco
Book from GBP Book from £95 per night

Riad Laaroussa

Fes, Morocco

An opulent riad at the heart of the Medina with vibrant suites, a superb spa, heated pool and rooftop views

An opulent riad at the heart of the Medina with vibrant suites, a superb spa, heated pool and rooftop views

You arrive at Laaroussa via the narrowest of alleyways, past donkeys, street vendors, laughing children and stray cats. After pushing aside an ancient wooden door and following a covered passageway, you emerge into a patio of such lofty grandeur that you can only gasp in wonder. This was once the inner sanctum of the annexe to the Mnebhi palace: it later became a Koranic school before being acquired by the Larussa family from Italy, only to be abandoned and forgotten.

In the latest chapter of the riad's fascinating history, 2 entrepreneurial French partners rescued the building and rebirthed it as one of the city's most sumptuous hostelries, after an inspired restoration project using the city's finest artisans. Fountains, columns, keyhole arches and ornate tile and woodwork conjure up visions that feel plucked from the pages of 1001 Nights. Bedrooms are regal in size and furnishings, there's an amazing hammam, a lavish courtyard pool and a rooftop restaurant with a side order of city skyline.

Highs

  • You're at the heart of the action, in between Bab Bou Jeloud and the Kairouine Mosque
  • The hammam is one of the city's best, with a great team of masseurs and therapists
  • Oodles of exotic and sensual charm, and perfect for a romantic break
  • The pool is a rare treat for a city centre hotel
  • Stay for lunch and dinner to try out their Med-meets-Morocco restaurant

Lows

  • The stairs up to the higher floors and roof terrace are steep; Orange, Green and Gaetan's Room are on the ground floor
  • The laid back atmosphere won't suit those seeking luxurious levels of service
  • Laaroussa isn't cheap by Moroccan standards but is good value when compared with places back home - and the price includes an excellent breakfast

Best time to go

You'll stay warm or cool at any time of year at Laaroussa but you may prefer to avoid mid-summer when temperatures can rocket and the hassle of the souks can seem that much more of an ordeal. We visited in the low season and enjoyed the more laid-back vibe in the city.

Our top tips

Hire a grand taxi for the day and head out to Meknes and Volubilis, archaeological Roman ruins.

Great for...

Family
Foodie
Romantic
Spa
  • Riad Hotel
  • 13 rooms
  • Restaurant and bar (open daily)
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Heated Pool
  • Spa
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Courtyard
Room:

Rooms

There are 5 suites and 8 double rooms. All bedrooms are high-ceilinged and look onto the courtyard, and many preserve their original zellig floors and cedarwood ceilings and doors.

The bedroom's ornate base elements - floors, ceilings and doors - are complemented by silk curtains, sabra bedspreads, intricately carved wardrobes and eye-catching objets like huge brass pots, funky lamps made from fish traps and deco-ish chairs and tables (many from Indonesia). Lanterns, appliqués and bedside lamps up the wow factor whilst the rooms' hot and cold air units ensure you'll be comfortable all year round.

On the ground floor, the vast Green Suite and Orange Suite have high ceilings and can sleep 3-4. Also on this level is the smaller Gaetan's Room, with a cool grey theme and a striking tiled floor.

The rest of the rooms are up on the first and second floors. The suites, again, are lavishly large and great options for families. The Cream Suite has a kingsize baldequin bed plus a second double reached via a steep metal ladder (certainly not toddler friendly). The Blue, Yellow and Brown Rooms open onto a shared cosy salon. The Red Room was a favourite with its kingsize double (can convert in twin beds) and an open-plan bathroom.

We're yet to see the rest of the rooms on the second floor, added since our last visit, but the Terrace Suite looks particularly special with its jet-black bathroom and sun-drenched private patio.

In all bathrooms you'll find monogrammed black and gold babouches and bathrobes, scented candles, a stack of fluffy white towels and flannels as well as full range of Senses de Marrakech bathroom goodies presented in chunky, silver-topped glass vials. Some have huge tadlakt tubs, others modern showers, one even has teapots for taps.

Features include:

  • Air conditioning
  • Bathrobes
  • Central heating
  • Cots Available
  • Fireplace
  • Toiletries
  • WiFi

Eating

Laaroussa's huge roof terrace, with indoor and outdoor seating, provides a perfect setting for a romantic meal-for-two. You eat at small metal-topped tables which are only just big enough to allow for comfortable dining.

The bistro restaurant serves a mostly Mediterranean-influenced menu for lunch and dinner, but there are a few Moroccan classics too. When we visited we focused more on the latter. We had, after nibbles of olives and cashews, a selection of hot and cold Moroccan salads (the lightly spiced aubergine was particularly scrummy) followed by a rich almond, apricot and chicken tagine whose depth of flavour was the proof of its slow-cooking. A tarte aux poires ended the meal on a Gallic note and we enjoyed our chosen red wine, which came from close to Meknes: there were plenty of other bottles to choose from. And, in proper Fassi style, we then slumped into a sofa next to the fire for mint tea and chebbakia briwattes, the little honey-sweetened cakes that are ubiquitous in Fes.

Breakfast is a moveable feast: you choose between eating in the dining room, the courtyard, in your room or up on the roof terrace. The latter would always be my favoured option: the wraparound views of the medina are unforgettable. Expect a traditional Moroccan breakfast of orange juice, malaoui pancakes, semi-leavened bread as well as French-style baguette, a fresh fruit salad and several different jams and honey.

Features include:

  • Bar
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Kids' meals
  • Lunch
  • Restaurants nearby
  • Vegetarian options
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Step straight out of the riad into the souk - the ultimate shopping experience. You'll find gorgeous pottery, leather goods and furnishings; be prepared to haggle

  • Experience the delights of a savon noir scrub followed by an essential oils massage in the riad's fabulous hammam

  • Chill out with your novel beside the pool or up on the roof terrace listening to the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer

  • Accompany one of Riad L's trusted guides through the medina to visit the tanneries, the Kairouine Mosque (though only from the outside), the medersas and the most interesting parts of the souk

  • Take a break from the bustle in the Bou Jeloud gardens or chill out with a mint tea at the nearby Clock Café

  • Visit the Merenid Tombs then have a sundowner on the terrace of the Hôtel des Merinides

  • Buy your own riad! Laaroussa's French partners also run a real estate company and have medina houses for sale

    Activities on site or nearby include:

    • Historical sites
    • Museums / galleries
    • Private guided tours
    • Shopping / markets
    • Traditional cultures
  • Kids

    The ethic at Laaroussa is resolutely pro-children and there can be little doubt that any vaguely adventurous child would have a ball in the souks.

    Best for:

    Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

    Family friendly accommodation:

    The Orange and Cream Suites have an extra bed on a mezzanine. Blue, Yellow and Brown are close to each other and open onto a shared salon, a nice option for families if booked together. Ghizlane, Nadim and Hilal rooms are close to each other and open onto a salon library with sofa and fireplace. Most rooms can hold baby cots.

    Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

    Babysitting:

    Babysitting available by arrangement

    Baby equipment:

    Baby cots available on request

    Remember  baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking

    Children's meals:

    Special meals are available for kids

    Distances:

    • Airport: 30 minutes
    • Shops: 2 minutes
    Kid Friendly:

    Location

    Riad Laaroussa is in the heart of Fes' medina, which is in the north of Morocco.

    By Air
    Fès Sais (20km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.

    From the Airport
    It's a 30-minute drive from the airport to the medina. The hotel offers a transfer service - see Rates. Alternatively you can jump in a taxi and ask to be dropped at the gates of Ain Azleten (Azliten) or Bab Boujeloud (Boujlouad), and the hotel will come and meet you. The nearest car park is at Ain Azliten (DH10/night).

    By Train
    There are regular trains to Fès from Casablanca (4hrs), Tangiers (5hrs) and Marrakech (7hrs). If you're travelling overland, the train down from Tangiers or across from Marrakech via Meknes is as cheap-as-chips and very comfortable.

    By Car
    If you want to hire a car to explore other parts of Morocco see our car rental recommendations.

    By Taxi
    If you're really game for an adventure share a grand taxi from your point of departure within the country: this is a great way to meet with Moroccans and learn more about this fascinating country.

    Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

    More on getting to Morocco and getting around

    Airports:

    • Fès Sais 20.0 km FEZ

    Other:

    • Beach 120.0 km
    • Shops 0.2 km
    • Restaurant 0.2 km

    Rates for Riad Laaroussa

    Arriving on: