Who would guess that such earthly delights were hidden away behind a studded cedarwood door?
Stepping in from the dust and brouhaha of the medina the opulence of Riad Norma’s inner patio can’t fail but raise a sigh: a trickling fountain, strewn with rose petals, occupies centre stage whilst to all sides high zellig-covered columns, intricately carved stucco and enormous cedarwood doors draw your gaze upwards to an extraordinary zouak ceiling, a full 12 metres above you. But what makes this riad so unique is that to one side of this classical fassi patio is an exquisite garden, planted with citrus, loquat, palm and roses, whose scented greenery wraps round a fountain-fed pool.
Riad Norma’s French owner, Monique, oversaw almost 2 long years of restoration to create her vision of The Arabian Nights. Her riad is an ode to the beauty and skill of the craftsmen of Fes and to her love of Opera. And if she chose to name Norma after a druid priestess...alors, pourquoi pas?
Highs
- Norma’s inner courtyard is simply stunning. In the winter months a roof is slid across and gas heaters are lit so that you can still enjoy it to the full
- Few of the riads in Fes have gardens. Monique’s even has a small plunge pool which is a real blessing in the hotter months
- Norma is at the edge of Fes’ labyrinthine medina, easy to find, and has secure parking right next door
- Nearly all of the bedrooms are big, airy, and exceptionally quiet
Lows
- Norma packs a pricey punch compared with other riads of similar standards
- The combination of fancy French fabrics and Moroccan decorative elements can feel a tad contrived
- No dinners offered at the riad, though meals can be delivered from nearby restaurants
- The roof terrace was in need of some TLC. when we visited. But with such an exquisite garden you may not venture up there, anyway
Best time to go
Unless you really enjoy the heat, avoid the summer months: temperatures can soar into the mid 40s and keeping your cool in the souks becomes doubly difficult. At any other time of year Fes is a great place to be and Riad Norma is well equipped for the colder months with an open fire, patio heaters and hot air heating in all of its suites.
Our top tips
It would be crazy to come all the way to Fes and not to stay at least three nights. You’ll need at least a day or two to even begin to get your bearings. You could spend weeks exploring the Medina and would still only have scratched the surface of this mesmerising place.
- Riad Guesthouse
- 7 rooms
- Breakfast
- Only Children aged 12 and over are accepted
- Open all year
- Plunge Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Norma’s bedrooms are named after Monique’s favourite operas: there are 2 Royal Suites, Tosca and Norma; 3 Junior Suites, Aïda, Manon and Lucía and a duplex double room, Carmen. All of the rooms are high-ceilinged and give onto the central patio.
The bedrooms have same decorative cocktail as the ground floor lounge and dining room, marrying Moroccan base elements – zellig and beijmat tiles, intricate stucco carving, high inlaid cedarwood doors – with northern European ones, most notably a double layer of floor-to-ceiling satiny voile curtains which impart a distinct whiff of Parisian boudoir. But if the wrought iron beds, stripey fabrics and Italian chandeliers feel slightly out of riad synch, framed prints of Arab calligraphy – these are present throughout the riad – strike a more authentically North African note. The 2 Royal Suites are enormous and one, Norma, has a dressing room as well as a lounge.
The bathrooms – most have low, beamed ceilings which impart a really cosy feel - also have beijmat floors, zellig lined sinks and baths, and shining tadlakt walls. And you’re treated to snowy white bath robes, a hairdryer, a stack of towels and an interesting selection of soaps, shampoos and oils.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
Eating
It’s at breakfast that Riad Norma comes into its own. The setting alone gets your meal off to a great start: you eat in the columned patio to the sound of the trickling fountain, beneath the citrus trees out in the garden or, in cooler weather, in front of the ornately carved fireplace in the high-ceilinged dining room. Music will always will be present, as you might expect given the riad’s operatic touchstone. Monique tends to play classical composers in the morning - perhaps Schumann or Chopin.
The food is billed as a Franco-Marocain event and includes freshly squeezed orange juice, a fruit salad that changes daily, Moroccan bread, melaoui and mil trous pancakes, jams and honey and, of course, a choice of black or mint tea, or coffee.
Lunch and dinner aren't served at the riad, so you'll either need to head out to nearby restaurants (there are plenty within walking distance) or Monique can arrange for meals to be delivered from small restaurants in the area.
Features include:
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Step out of the Norma’s door and into the souks. A guide can be arranged if you prefer to be in company though you’ll be perfectly safe on your own
- Have an extrordinary day of fassi sightseeing by visiting the Medina’s mediaeval tanneries, the Madersa, the Merenid tombs and the Batha museum
- Take a day trip to Meknes (60km away) then drive on to Volubulis. Seeing this exquisite Roman site in the evening light is a once-in-a-lifetime experience
- Ride, play tennis or shoot a round of golf. All activities are easily accessible at the outskirts of the city
- Soak away your pains in a hot, sulphurous bath at the Moulay Yaokoub spa, a short drive from Fes
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Only children aged 12 and over are welcome at Riad Norma, but teen would love exploring the medina.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Riad Norma is in the Ziat quarter of Fes' medina, a few blocks from Bab Ziat (the Ziat gate).
By Air:
Fes Sais (12km) is the nearest airport. Click on the link below for a list of airlines serving it.
By Train:
There are regular trains to Fes from Casablanca (4hrs), Tangiers (5hrs) and Marrakech (7hrs).
From the airport
It is about 20 minutes from the airport to Riad Norma, so the easiest option is to get a taxi.
By Car:
If you want to hire a car to explore other parts of Morocco see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Morocco and getting around.
Airports:
- Fez Sais 12.0 km FEZ
Other:
- Beach 150.0 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km