Riad Lalla Fatima

Strange from the outside, kind of beautiful from the inside, can be tremendously outstanding. A XVIII century palace which needs to be cared of and a continuously work of repair and restoration. The path to get there is not easy though it really is straight ahead until the end of the road. But the end of the road, downhill, leads to a metal gate that reveals a chicane that continues on descending until you see what seems to be an entrance to a big construction. Pinned on maps as El Palace Mokri, not Riad Lalla Fatima, sits on a quiet area, on a corner of Fes. The family that ownes the palace lives there but that should be a reception or at least someone to receive you, tell you everything you need to know and welcome you. Unfortunately, for us, that was not the case since we have to search around the rooms and corridors to find a nanny/cleaning lady/housewife sweeping a living room full of dust and garbage. She was the one whom, very kindly and without speaking a word of English, French or Spanish, showed us the way to our room (which eventually was not the right one), explained in her way and with gestures how the locks worked, the wifi pass, where the towels were and got us some toilet paper. And we were "installed". A member of the family approached us later in the afternoon to say sorry and to ask about breakfast (which we didn't get the chance to try). As for the rest, the palace is beautiful and it would be even better if it got take care of and if someone would give us (other visitors) a tour. With a warmer reception, directions and explanation on how to get there, a small tour of the place and a little big cleaning up, it really can become an unforgiven experience.

We got a beautiful room, a really nice breakfast and everything you can expect in a riad, plus an amazing building. We were fortunate enough to sleep at the end of the maze, :), so we managed to explore most of the building when entering and leaving. Simply amazing. Also, traveling in winter I would say that we had all the heating we needed. Aziza, the woman, was of great help: kind, welcoming, relaxed, and helped us much more than what it should be expected (help with taxi, help with bookings and help with a last minute printing which saved us a lot of money). I would come back here, no doubt, the next time. I left when the feeling of having a friend in Fès. Ah, I nearly forgot: as *** travellers, we appreciate the special kindness of Aziza and her family. No questions asked, no "I can offer you a room with separate beds", and all that stuff.