This property, in a verdant residential neighborhood 500 m from the center of the new city and 6 km from the attractions of the ancient walled city, is a sprawling modern hotel with Fez's most luxuriant grounds—3 hectares of beautifully planted gardens, a large central courtyard with a sparkling pool, and a terrace that invites lingering in the evening. Geared primarily for European tour groups, this hotel sits third in the ranks, after the Palais Jamai, now a Sofitel, and the Meridien.
From the outside this hotel looks rather innocuous, but the palatial interiors are quite impressive. The hotel's dazzling beauty, however, stops when it comes to service, but the highly discounted rates more than compensate for the occasionally aloof front-desk staff and the odd, overflowing wastebasket. When this massive complex is not full it feels overwhelmingly empty, but the sluggish service rarely improves. Individuals will surely notice these unfortunate pitfalls within seconds of arriving here.
The capacious lobby, finished with marble and inlaid tile, exudes a graceful air with its elaborate polychrome ceiling, huge chandelier and rich local rugs. The restaurant has an a la carte international menu and offers a section for larger groups, smart seating, fresh flowers and attractive indirect lighting. Local specialties are the choicest entrees in the revamped Moroccan dining room, where live entertainment and regal Arabic decor prevail. The cafe features a pergola with fake grapevines and faux-stained-glass windows, and a pizzeria-style menu prevails for casual dining. The English-style bar is dressed with quality leather seating and soothed by cool piano music.
Sporty types enjoy the large pool, sauna, massage facilities, fitness room and four clay tennis courts. Meetings, the lifeblood of this property, can accommodate up to 1,400 people. Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet is available in the lobby or business center. A disco and beauty salon round out the facilities, and ample parking can hold a few hundred cars.
Guest rooms, all on the opposite side of the pool, are a long walk from public areas. Wide, carpeted corridors lead to well-furnished lodgings with flecked carpeting, regionally inspired fabrics, clean-lined, mirror-plated furniture, two large firm beds, and terraces with cane appointments and pool and garden exposures. All rooms come with air-conditioning, TVs, phones, safes, minibars and original albeit faded art. The large marble baths have handsome mosaic borders and dual basins (a rarity in Morocco), hair dryers that are interestingly designed but hard to use, and phones. Thick towels and luxurious robes are standard, but the baths are nothing like the fanciful facilities of the more exotic riads of Marrakech. Some ground-floor rooms open directly onto the pool and garden, convenient for those who prefer to bask in the sun's rays. At inspection, the rooms were slated for an overhaul.
Pets are forbidden. Room service works around the clock, and full meals arrive appropriately hot or cold at any hour. Management works hard to keep this giant above the rest, but the Meridien and Sofitel chains are proving to be stiff competition in this highly bureaucratic city.