Palais Houyam: A Fairytale Foray in Fes
Pinned as one of the most perfect hotels in Morocco, Palais Houyam is steeped deep in spine-tingling scenery and sumptuous design. Lapped by luxury at every end, this picture-perfect spot boasts a temporary respite from the animated atmosphere of the maze-like Medina.
Magnified with mouth-watering cuisine, vibrant architecture and traditional hammam and spa experiences, Palais Houyam really takes things to the next level. Scattered with sophisticated details and eye-catching features, this stellar sojourn sets the scene for serenity.
Whether you want to relish your tastebuds with traditional tagine or indulge in a hammam with your partner, this gem offers all-encompassing authenticity. Coined as a luxury riad adorned with awe-inspiring experiences, Palais Houyam is nothing short of picturesque. If you’re wondering where to stay in Fes, Morocco, save this hot spot to your bucket list!
My Experience at Palais Houyam
From first glance, an entire wealth of worldly senses was woven into every corner of this resplendent riad.
After waltzing through the wooden doors, there was a waft of enticing scents and artisan design. Words really can’t do the property justice.
Gaining traction of the teeming tapestry, I became filled with gratitude and goosebumps.
Graced with gorgeous architecture, authentic insight and heart-warming interactions with locals, it became apparent that Palais Houyam was quite different from the rest.
And after a few days exploring the property, dabbling in the delights and indulging in the experiences, I can safely say it is a getaway from the godsend.
But before we dive into the depths of dazzling diversity, let’s recap on how things really played out.
After a painfully delayed flight, we were greeted with smiling faces and a traditional Moroccan tea.
The staff kindly provided a map and picked out the top spots in town. After taking a deep dive and learning about the locals, customs and traditions, we gathered up some tips and went on our way.
As night fell, we entered the Royal Suite Souleimane and set up for a night’s slumber. Before our heads hit the pillow, we headed to the rooftop terrace for a meal.
The menu was surprisingly extensive (even for vegetarians) and included a wide range of palatable plates. We deciphered on the vegetable pastilla and vegetable tagine, accompanied by a classic Moroccan tea. We indulged our senses in the simmering flavours as the sparkling city lights glistened below. That’s a sight that sure struck my mind. The warm summer breeze and friendly faces elevated the entire experience.
In the wake of the next morning, I couldn’t help but get up for the sunrise. Waking up among the draped curtains, the flickering lights and colourful windows had me feeling like I was in a fairytale.
As the sun slowly crept up, the bustling town below began to reflect humbling hues of orange, yellow and red. I knew that this would be nothing short of a fantastic foray. I jumped out of bed, eager to capture the nuance of nonpareil scenes on my camera.
After fuelling up with a traditional breakfast, we decided to explore the buzzing streets of the medina, before heading out on a day trip to Chefchaoen. The famous Blue Town boasted a bounty of breathtaking spots, barter-based buys and alley-woven streets. Coming home after an action-packed day, my feet were sore but my heart was full.
I stepped inside the golden-tiled bathroom, filled up the bathtub and sprinkled in some Moroccan bath salts. As I closed my eyes and reflected on the day’s delights, flashing images came cascading into my mind.
Smiling faces, colourfully-designed decor and heart-warming connections that sure made their mark in my memory bank.
The bathtub served as the perfect spot to wind down after an adrenaline-infused escapade. Surrounded by a technicolour tapestry, I truly felt like I was living like royalty.
As the sun shone bright on the third and final day, I headed up to the rooftop terrace to read, write and capture some shots. The golden light reflected off the riad’s realms, creating a riveting sense of enchantment.
After a quick dip in the pool, we soaked up the sun and basked in the beauty of the courtyard. We savoured every last bite of breakfast inside the hotel, and stepped out to enjoy an espresso poolside.
After anchoring myself by the pool, I was welcomed into a traditional hammam experience. After stripping down, I enjoyed an authentic slice of Morocco’s famed practice.
Following the clay mask, I laid down for a massage and listened to the symphonies of traditional Moroccan music. The combination of scents, sounds and sumptuous massage techniques had me in a state of ethereal euphoria. No doubt!
I waddled back to my hotel room, relishing in the body, mind and spiritual high. I stepped out onto the terrace and took one last look over the labyrinth-like streets down below. It was as if the harmonious chaos of the chatter below seemed a little less stimulating. If anything, it put it all into perspective. The perplexing ways of local life and panoply of clashing contrasts ushered in a state of utter appreciation.
Although I’d felt overwhelmed by the constant diversity of disorder in the medina, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for everything that unfolded. In among all the high-heated moments and shouting voices, I made heart-warming connections with locals. One afternoon, deep in the medina, we stumbled upon something quite unique. A man named Ayub welcomed us into his store, which boasted a bounty of pieces collected around Africa.
He invited us to drink a traditional Moroccan tea, while he explained his life story. Me, being the curious cat I am, questioned him about the ins and outs of his life’s work. Hearing his story hemmed in by heartfelt connection, filled me up with untrammelled joy. Later that afternoon, we stepped outside the medina to take a breath of fresh air.
Sitting by the flowing fountain, it felt as if we were worlds away from the bustling maze of markets. A small group of children came by, and by chance, one of them spoke a bit of Spanish. We chatted with the whole group of lively kids, winding through animated conversations about football (soccer) and life in Morocco and Australia.
We chased peacocks, practiced fancy handshakes and laughed until our bellies hurt. I smiled so much that my cheeks hurt. The raw beauty of that moment inundated my body with a warm sense of gratitude.
We returned to the hotel, collected our bags and went on our way. My stay at Palais Houyam was woven with a world of deep connections and ample authenticity.
Despite the huge haul of hassles that can come along with travel, Palais Houyam felt like an all-enticing, enchanting escape. It’s safe to say I fell head over heels for Morocco.
No matter how far I go, I always find that nothing can connect you as deeply as travel. Whether you seek a connection to the culture, cuisine or landscape, you’ll always find a part of yourself reflected in those experiences.
Deep below the surfaces, there’s always room for growth. Uncovering the truth means meeting challenges, seeing things in a different light and expanding your horizons, one step at a time.
Rooms & Suites at Palais Houyam
Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or first-timer, chances are, you want to experience Moroccan culture in an authentic way, right?
Staying at a Moroccan Riad offers insight into the stately architecture and artisanal touch that Moroccans have used to build their homes over the centuries.
Palais Houyam is coined for its traditional decorations, sumptuous style and stunning scenery. Each of the rooms and suites oozes opulence, convenience and comfort. Fringed with traditional features and modern amenities, all rooms and suites boast bathrooms, showers and natural light. Dowsed with curtain-draped windows, delightful decor and intimate spaces, Palais Houyam is replete with a range of different options.
Teeming with striking tiles, stately features and locally-sourced furniture, each of the suites is steeped deep in its own unique style. It’s as authentic as it gets, so if you want to get fully immersed in the myriad of Moroccan finds, this is your best bet.
Here’s a basic breakdown of what to expect from Palais Houyam:
My Top Choice: Suite Premium Souleimane
Ideal For Humble Travellers: Deluxe Double Room
Ideal For Luxury Travellers: Royal Suite
Ideal For Couples: Presidential Suite
Best Views of the City: Houyam Suite
Experiences at Palais Houyam
Etched with an eclectic array of experiences, this hotel in Fes is a standout. Let’s dive into what you can expect during your stay at Palais Houyam.
Spa & Hammam
Home to argan oil-infused treatments, calming clay masks and a wealth of whimsical experiences, the spa and hammam are a must-see.
Whether you want to wind down after an adventure-packed day or a long-haul flight, booking a spa treatment can put the cherry on top of your trip.
The Palais Houyam Spa boasts a bounty of bliss-inducing experiences, including massages and body and beauty treatments.
On my final day, I booked a hammam experience with a clay mask and massage.
I waddled out of there feeling like I was floating in the clouds. Literally. My skin was as soft as a baby’s bottom, my body felt as light as a feather and I can’t honestly remember the last time I felt that blissful.
Restaurant
Traditional Moroccan cuisine is magnified by mouth-watering flavours, simmering dishes and palatable plates. Palais Houyam hosts both room service and an in-house restaurant offering locally sourced fresh ingredients. Straddling a slew of internationally-infuenced and authentic cuisine, there are also options for those with dietary restrictions.
Entangled with an intimate collection of Berber, Arabic and European influences, you can expect flavour-packed plates. A typical Moroccan dish usually includes a splash of hot and cold appetisers, followed by a simmering hot tagine. The vegetable tagine was my personal faourite, but I heard raving reviews about the fish and chicken tagine too!
Moroccan cuisine is also heavy with lamb and chicken dishes, alongside couscous topped with fresh vegetables.
One of my personal favourites was the vegetarian pastilla. Although it’s often served as a starter, I found it hearty enough to satisfy any foodie with a craving for a main dish!
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Resplendent Style & All-Round Luxury at Palais Houyam
All in all, my stay at Palais Houyam was one for the books. Out of all the hotels in Fes, this hot spot is a crowd favourite. And I can certainly see why.
Carved with technicolour style, sumptuous features, drool-worthy cuisine and rejuvenating spa experiences, the staff’s service really puts the cherry on top. If you’re looking for a unique hotel in Fes, Morocco, add Palais Houyam to your bucket list.