Escape to Paradise: Riad 53 Fes – Your Moroccan Luxury Awaits
Escape to Paradise: Riad 53 Fes – My Moroccan Luxury Awaits (And It Almost Didn't Happen!)
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your average five-star review. This is me, fresh off a Moroccan adventure (still smelling faintly of mint tea and adventure), spilling the beans on Riad 53 Fes. And let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster.
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Yeah, We Gotta Do This First):
- Keywords: Riad 53 Fes review, Fes luxury riad, Moroccan riad, Accessible hotel Fes, Spa Fes, Swimming pool Fes, Restaurant Fes, Fes accommodation, Wheelchair accessible Fes, Riad with spa, Free Wi-Fi Fes
- Meta Description: My unfiltered take on Riad 53 Fes! From the jaw-dropping spa to the (almost) disastrous arrival. Discover if this luxury riad in Fes truly lives up to the hype, with accessibility, dining, and everything in between. Honest, funny, and full of insider tips!
Alright, Let's Get Real:
First things first: finding Riad 53 was an epic quest. Seriously, the medina in Fes is a labyrinth. My GPS kept sputtering insults at me, I swear. (Note to self: download offline maps before arriving next time!)
Finally, after a near-death experience involving a donkey cart and a particularly aggressive vendor, we found the entrance. And… wow. It was the perfect start, even if it felt like a victory won after a battle.
Arrival and First Impressions (and a Near-Panic Attack):
Okay, so the entrance. First impressions matter, right? Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Carved wood, intricate tiles, the whole shebang. But then… the steps. Steps! Ah, the bittersweet symphony of travel! (More on the accessibility later, I swear).
Accessibility:
This is where things get a little… complicated. The website claimed to have facilities for disabled guests. Which is true… kinda. The main areas, the lobby, and the restaurant, for the most part. Then, you get to the rooms… stairs. Steps. More steps. My heart sank a little, as did the suitcase that felt so weighty by the end. Definitely call ahead and double-check rooms if accessibility is crucial. While there is an elevator (yay!), navigating the riad with mobility limitations would be a challenge.
Let's be clear, Riad 53 tries. They're not intentionally excluding anyone. But this isn't a fully-fledged accessible hotel.
Rambling on Restaurants, Rooms, and Relaxation:
- Rooms: Once you've conquered the stair situation, the rooms were lovely. Like, seriously lovely. Huge bed with crisp white linens, a massive bathroom (with a bathtub!), and all the amenities you could dream of. Mini-bar (hello, late-night water!), safe, and a desk if you actually wanted to work. The included toiletries were a nice touch, and the free Wi-Fi worked like a charm (unlike my GPS, which continued its vendetta).
- Stuff I Loved: The comfy robes, the blackout curtains (essential for sleeping off those delicious Moroccan lunches), and the free bottled water, because dehydration is the enemy.
- Stuff That Made Me Go "Hmm…": The lack of power outlets near the bed. I had to crawl behind the nightstand to charge my phone. Minor but annoying.
- The Food (Oh, the Food!): The included breakfast buffet was pretty great, which is always a good start. They had everything from fresh pastries and scrambled eggs to local pastries and fruit. The coffee was strong, and for once, it wasn't lukewarm.
- Asian Breakfast: They actually offered Asian options. I tried the noodles one morning, just to be adventurous. It was…interesting. Not sure if I'd order that again, but points for originality!
- Dinner Delights: We ate at the restaurant a few times, mostly a la carte, and I was always happy. The Moroccan tagines were heavenly, the lamb was perfectly tender, and the service was always attentive.
- Poolside Bar: The Poolside bar offered a great way to relax after a long day.
- Ways To Relax!: The Riad offers many ways to relax, with many pools and Spa facilities.
- The Spa – My Personal Paradise (and the Source of a Near-Death Experience #2): Okay, the spa. This… this was the highlight. Seriously. I opted for a full hammam experience. A scrub, a wrap, a massage… pure bliss. The therapists were incredibly skilled and professional. They even had a foot bath! But…
- My Hammam Horror Story: Okay, I'm a bit claustrophobic, which I forgot to mention. The hammam itself… it’s a very steamy room. I started to feel a little panicky. I signaled the therapist and they immediately recognized my discomfort. They brought me cold water and talked me through breathing exercises. They were kind and understanding. They probably deal with panicky tourists all the time, they did a fantastic job of helping me relax and finishing. It was truly a testament to their professionalism and attention to detail. Lesson learned: always, always be honest with your spa therapist.
- Everything Else Spa-Related: They also had a sauna, steam room, pool with a view, etc. I didn't have time to experience it all, but based on my hammam experience, I can only assume it was fabulous.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, You Know, the Pandemic):
They were definitely taking things seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff wearing masks. Tables spaced out. The rooms were meticulously cleaned, and I always felt safe. They even had some of those fancy anti-viral cleaning products. Bonus points for that.
Services and Conveniences:
- The Concierge: Super helpful. They booked excursions, gave restaurant recommendations, and generally made our lives easier.
- Daily Housekeeping: Spotless. My room was always tidied up, fresh towels appeared like magic, and the little touches (like the fresh flowers) were appreciated.
- Airport Transfer: Smooth and seamless. Worth the extra cost, especially if you're arriving in the chaos of Fes.
- Currency Exchange: Handy to have, and the rates seemed competitive.
Downsides (Because Nothing's Perfect):
- The Stairs (Again): Seriously, if you have mobility issues, this place is not your ideal choice.
- Service Speed: Sometimes, service was a little slow, especially during peak dinner hours. But, hey, you're in Morocco. Relax.
- The Coffee Shop: Fine, but not particularly memorable. Starbucks, this isn't.
For the Kids:
I didn't travel with kids, but they seemed very family-friendly. They had babysitting service available.
Final Verdict:
Riad 53 Fes is gorgeous. It offers a luxurious (and let's be honest, Instagrammable) experience, excellent food, and a truly incredible spa. Yes, there are a few wrinkles (mostly related to accessibility). But if you're looking for a stunning, relaxing base from which to explore Fes, and you're physically able to face a few stairways, then book it. Just, you know, pack your patience and download those offline maps. You won't regret it.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (Taking off half a star for the stairs and the sometimes-slow service, but adding a full star for the spa).
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Alright, buckle up buttercups! Because planning a trip to Riad 53 in Fes, Morocco? That's not just a vacation, it's an experience. And I'm gonna paint you a picture, a messy, glorious, real-life mosaic of what it could look like, complete with coffee stains and existential dread… just kidding (mostly).
Fes-tivities: A Riad 53 Romp (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Tagine)
Day 1: Arrival & That First "OMG, I'm REALLY Here!" Moment
- 5:00 AM: Alarm goes off. Humanity's cruelest invention. Coffee is brewed. Strong enough to fuel a rocket ship. Airport bound.
- 10:00 AM (ish): Land in Fes! The chaotic, dusty, beautiful, overwhelming buzz of the airport hits you like a tidal wave. Immediately start regretting not packing light. I'm talking full-blown internal panic about the luggage.
- 11:00 AM: The Riad's driver (hired through the Riad, BRILLIANT move) finds me! He's got this calm, knowing smile that instantly melts away the travel stress. We wind through the medina… and the world disappears! Narrow alleys, donkeys carrying impossible loads, the scent of spices… it's a sensory overload, in the best way.
- 12:00 PM: ARRIVAL AT RIAD 53!!! Okay, deep breath. This is the moment. The door creaks open. You step inside and… WHOA. Seriously. Jaw-dropping. The courtyard, the tiles, the fountain, the silence… it's like stepping into a secret garden. I almost cried. Okay, maybe I did cry a little. Don't judge. Travel is emotional, people.
- 12:30 PM: Tea ceremony. Mint tea. More tea. More delicious mint tea. The staff are beyond lovely, explaining everything, being super hospitable, making you feel like you're the only guest there. I immediately start daydreaming about moving in. "Is there a longer-term rate… asking for a friend, who is me?"
- 1:30 PM: Lunch on the roof terrace. Ooh la la! The view is amazing! I ordered a chicken tagine because… well because that's what people eat in Morocco, right? And it was divine, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. My internal debate on whether or not I could politely lick the plate. (Spoiler alert: I didn't. Sadly).
- 3:00 PM: Wandering the medina. This is where things got REAL. Getting lost is inevitable. Embrace it. The souks are a labyrinth of leather goods, spices, and… well, everything. The touts! They'll try to get you into their shops. Be polite, be firm. Your negotiating skills will get tested.
- 5:00 PM: I was approached by a snake charmer. The snake was rather nonchalant, but the charm was still in its effect. The whole experience was a bit much.
- 6:00 PM: Getting back to the Riad. Having a bath, oh my god, this is the best. Pure bliss.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at the Riad. The food is amazing. I ate all of it, like a proper vacationer! I ended the night thinking, "I would 100% come back here alone, and just eat tagine and stare at the fountain all day."
Day 2: Culture Shock & Souk Shenanigans (and a near-death experience with a donkey cart)
- 8:00 AM: A leisurely breakfast in the courtyard. Fresh fruit, pastries, and more mint tea. I contemplated if I was going back to work or staying in Morocco?
- 9:00 AM: Cooking class! This was a must! Learning to make tagine myself was an AMAZING experience. The chef was a master, and the food was so fun! My cooking skills are… questionable, but hey, at least I tried. My tagine turned out… edible.
- 12:00 PM: Explore the Tanneries. This is not for the faint of heart. The smell is… powerful. But the view is something else. Truly. I took a picture, held my breath, and ran out. It was a memorable experience.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch. I found a tiny local place and ordered, basically, whatever the guy pointed at, and it was the best meal I'd had the whole trip. The language barrier was fun! Lots of pointing and laughing and definitely a lot of hand gestures.
- 3:00 PM: More souk adventures (and misadventures). I was haggling for a carpet (which is an art in itself!) when I became completely engrossed. So engrossed, in fact, that I almost walked into a donkey cart! Like, inches away. My life flashed before my eyes. I survived! I got the carpet. Worth it? Maybe.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the Riad. Relaxing in the Hammam. The exfoliation… intense. The relaxation… unparalleled. I felt like a new person afterward. (Probably because I was!) This, my friends, is the definition of self-care.
- 8:00 PM: A romantic dinner. I wanted to have a romantic dinner in a nice restaurant. Unfortunately, most of them were booked, and I had to eat something at the local restaurant. I had the food, and it wasn't terrible, actually!
- 9:00 PM: Sleep, or maybe, contemplate if it's possible to stay here forever.
Day 3: Departure (With a Heavy Heart and a Stomach Full of Memories)
- 8:00 AM: Final breakfast at Riad 53. Feeling a mix of sadness and gratitude.
- 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Buying way too much stuff I don't need, but I'll probably love forever. (A carpet! Pottery! Spices! More Argan oil than humanly necessary!).
- 11:00 AM: Head to the airport. Saying goodbye to the Riad's staff. Now I really wanted to move in.
- 1:00 PM: The plane. Reflecting on the trip. Did I pack enough sunscreen? Did I bargain hard enough? Did I truly take the time to appreciate the beauty of this place? Yes! I did!
- 2:00 PM: Back Home. I start planning my return.
- And the next day: Waking up and realizing I want to go back.
Final Thoughts (The Messy Part):
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, haggled aggressively, maybe ate too much sugar, and nearly became a donkey cart casualty. But it was real. It was vibrant. It was exhausting and exhilarating. Riad 53 was the perfect base for it all. If you're looking for a luxurious oasis in a chaotic, incredible city, then book it, pack your bags, and just go. You won't regret it. Just maybe, watch out for those donkey carts. And bring your mint tea addiction, you are going to need it.
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Escape to Paradise: Riad 53 Fes – Your Moroccan Luxury Awaits (…Mostly. Seriously, though…)
Okay, spill the beans. Is Riad 53 REALLY as dreamy as the Instagram photos make it look?
Alright, alright, you want the truth? The truth is… it's stunning. Seriously. Walking through that giant wooden door, like something out of Arabian Nights, the courtyard? Jaw-dropping. The tilework? Mesmerizing. The rooftop terrace? Oh. My. GODS. You can practically reach out and touch the medina. So, yes, it's dreamy. BUT (and there's always a but, isn’t there?)… the Instagram angle is a finely crafted fantasy.
Picture this: me, jet-lagged, clutching my suitcase, trying to navigate the souk with these HUGE bags (they will happily send someone to meet you! USE IT! I didn't, because I’m an idiot). Finally, I arrive, totally frazzled, and the riad staff, bless their hearts, are all smiles. They offer mint tea, of course, which is the BEST thing after a long flight. But let's be honest, the photos don’t show the ten-minute wait for the tea to brew. Or the fact that the wi-fi *sometimes* disappears faster than my patience after a particularly frustrating haggle in the spice market.
What's the vibe? Is it super formal or relaxed?
Honestly? It’s a little bit of both. They *aim* for relaxed, and they mostly succeed. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, always eager to please. They remember your name, they anticipate your needs (more mint tea? Done!). BUT there's a certain… formality… that comes with staying in a place that's so meticulously curated. You feel like you should be whispering, just in case you shatter the illusion of tranquility by, oh, *laughing too loud*.
I once dropped a whole plate of pastries (don't ask) and the staff were SO gracious, but I swore I saw a tiny twitch of horror in the eyes of the breakfast attendant. So, yeah, relaxed, but be prepared to channel your inner polite guest.
Is the location good? Easy to explore Fes from there?
The location? PERFECT. Truly. You’re smack-dab in the middle of the Fes el Bali, the old medina. Which is, you guessed it, both amazing and terrifying. Amazing because you're *in* it. The pulse of the city is literally on your doorstep. Terrifying because... well, it's a labyrinth. Seriously, I got *lost* trying to find my way back from the hammam (more on that later).
But Riad 53 is just a short walk from the main attractions – the tanneries (prepare for the smell, it's intense, but worth it), the Chouara tanneries, the madrasas… everything. The staff can arrange guides, which I HIGHLY recommend. Otherwise, you'll be wandering aimlessly, muttering about directional signs (which, by the way, are virtually non-existent).
Speaking of the tanneries… what’s the deal with the smell? Is it as bad as people say?
Okay, let’s get real. The smell? It’s… significant. Imagine a particularly pungent gym sock had a baby with a chemical factory, and then that baby had a *very* unpleasant life. That’s the smell.
But here’s the thing: you get *used* to it. Or, your nose just shuts down. When you visit, the tanneries will happily give you some fresh mint sprigs to hold up to your nose. It helps a *little*. Just… breathe through it. It's worth it to see the tanners at work, the vibrant colors, the whole process. Just don’t eat anything within a mile of the place.
Tell me about the food! Is it as delicious as everyone says?
The food. Oh, the food! It’s… inconsistent. Look, the breakfast is great. Freshly squeezed orange juice, fluffy omelets, local pastries. I was in heaven every single morning. But the dinner? Sometimes amazing, sometimes… meh.
I had one tagine that was genuinely divine – succulent lamb, rich spices, melt-in-your-mouth vegetables. I practically licked the plate. The next night? A slightly overcooked chicken dish that tasted mostly of… well, cooked chicken. I'm not saying the chef is a fraud, but maybe they have an off night? Don't get me wrong, the food is generally good, but don't expect perfection every time. Embrace the adventure! That’s what I told myself, anyway, while shoveling down the slightly dry couscous.
Hammam experience at Riad 53? Worth it?
YES. ABSOLUTELY. Book it. Seriously, do it right now. Do NOT make the mistake I did of thinking, "Oh, I can handle the busy public hammam." NO. You can't. Trust me.
The Riad’s hammam is sublime. The ritual is as lovely. The massage is heavenly. The scent of argan oil and roses is intoxicating. I emerged feeling like a new person, all the stress of travel and haggling and getting lost in the souk just…gone. The public hammam? Let's just say, it lacked the romantic ambiance of… well, anywhere else. It was an experience, alright. But the Riad's? Pure bliss. Treat yourself. Seriously, book it. You deserve it.
Okay, downsides? Be honest.
Alright, here's the unvarnished truth, the stuff they *don't* put on the brochure:
- Noise: The medina never sleeps. You'll hear calls to prayer (beautiful, but early!), donkeys, vendors, and the general hustle and bustle of city life. Earplugs are your friend.
- Wi-fi: As mentioned, hit or miss. Don't rely on it if you need to be connected. Embrace the digital detox!
- Lack of a pool: (Okay, this is a personal gripe). Some riads have pools, Riad 53 doesn’t. A dip in the scorching summer heat would have been fantastic. Missed opportunity, I say.
- The price: It's a luxury riad, so it's not cheap. Prepare to loosen the purse strings. But, honestly, it’s worth it, for the experience. If you can afford it, do it!
Would you go back?
Absolutely. Despite the minor imperfections, the questionable cousCheap Hotel Search
