Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Fes for Skyline Swims

The first time I dragged myself to a rooftop in Fes after a long afternoon winding through the medina alleys, I realized that the best hotels with rooftop pools in Fes aren't really about swimming at all. They're about catching that moment when the late sun pours over the clay-colored rooftops and the call to prayer ripples from a dozen minarets at once. After a decade of writing about Morocco and spending at least two months a year in this city, I've climbed up more terraces than I can count, tested the water temperature at dawn and at midnight, and chatted with the concierges who actually know which rooftops deliver and which ones are just concrete afterthoughts. Let me take you through the ones that earn their place in the Fes sky.

Dar Roumana and the Quiet Side of the Batha Gardens

You'll find this small riad-hotel tucked into a quiet lane off the Batha district, just a few minutes on foot from the Bou Inania madrasa and the mellah. There are only a handful of rooms and the rooftop is intimate rather than sprawling, but the plunge pool catches the late morning light beautifully, and the breakfast spread on the terrace (fresh msemen, fig jam, mint tea that actually tastes of mint) is reason enough to book. The pool is more of a cool-water bath than a lap pool, so don't expect to do serious swimming, but after a morning wandering the tanneries, dipping your toes in feels like medicine.

The Vibe? Peaceful house with a kitchen that punches above its weight.

The Bill? Rooms run around 900 to 1,400 MAD per night in low season, climbing past 1,800 MAD in spring and autumn.

The Standout? Dinner on the rooftop. The chef sources from the local souk and changes the menu almost daily.

The Catch? The hotel does not have a proper pool view hotel Fes experience in the resort sense. If you want a long pool and a long drink, this isn't it.

Insider note from someone who has actually slept here: ask Younes, the manager, for the back route into the medina through the carpenter's souk. It avoids the tourist drag around Place Seffarine and you end up at the same cafés smelling of cedar instead of motorbike exhaust.

Palais Faraj and the View Toward the South

Set into the southern flank of the Fes el-Bali medina, this 19th-century palace turned boutique hotel has one of the most dramatic terraces in the entire city. The rooftop pool is modest in size but the panorama stretches across rooftops, gardens, and on clear days the green hills beyond. They have live Andalusian music some evenings and a bar that pours proper Moroccan wine, which is rarer than it should be. Rooms are split between the traditional Moroccan wing and a more modern Spanish-Moorish section; both are worth requesting.

The Vibe? Restored palace with one of the cleanest rooftop pool hotel Fes panoramas you will find inside the walls.

The Bill? Standard rooms start around 1,500 MAD, suites and riads go past 4,500 MAD during peak periods.

The Standout? Sunset hour from the top of the property, when the pool surface turns copper.

The Catch? Parking is genuinely painful, so arrange the hotel transfer from the airport in advance.

If you book direct rather than through a platform, they often include a hammam booking at their in-house spa, which is the kind of detail that turns a quick stopover into a proper Fes memory. Ask for a room on the second or third floor facing south, those are the quietest and the coolest.

Riad Fes and the Relais & Châteaux Standard

Sitting on Derba Bensouna on the north side of the medina, Riad Fes is one of those places where you walk through an unremarkable door and find yourself inside a tiled courtyard that feels three times bigger than the street outside. The rooftop is genuinely large for a medina property, with a proper rectangular infinity pool hotel Fes setup, sun loungers, a bar, and a restaurant that pulls off a creditable lunch. Staff here have been working for years, which means service is consistent even when the hotel is fully booked, a rarity in this city.

The Vibe? Old medina grandeur with the kind of training you expect from a Relais & Châteaux member.

The Bill? Rooms from roughly 1,600 MAD, suites into the 3,500 to 6,000 MAD range depending on season and view.

The Standout? The lunch on the terrace, specifically the lamb tagine with caramelized quince.

The Catch? During the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in June, rates double and the rooftop becomes packed. If you want quiet, pick May or October instead.

A local tip: the entrance on Derba Bensouna is easy to miss, look for the heavy studded door and a small brass plaque. Drivers often drop guests a lane too early, so call the riad when you reach Place Rcif and they will send someone down to walk you through.

Hotel Sahrai and the New Ville Nouvelle Rooftop

Down in the Ville Nouvelle on Avenue Ibn Khatib, near the Royal Golf de Fes, Hotel Sahrai is the polished modern counterpoint to all the medina riads. This is where you come when you want a pool view hotel Fes experience with a proper swimming pool, sleek loungers, a cocktail bar that knows its mixology, and a spa that takes wellness seriously. The rooftop pool is one of the longest in the city, set against a backdrop of distant medina walls, and the restaurant Givenchy (yes, that Givenchy) serves one of the more ambitious menus in town.

The Vibe? Contemporary luxury on the city's western edge, popular with a younger international crowd.

The Bill? Rooms around 2,200 to 3,200 MAD per night, suites considerably higher.

The Standout? The rooftop bar at golden hour, with the Atlas foothills going pink in the distance.

The Catch? It is a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride from the medina, so plan around that.

If you want the best of both worlds, stay here for the pool and book one or two nights in a medina riad for the atmosphere. The hotel also runs a free shuttle into the old city at fixed times each day, useful if you don't want to negotiate taxi fares every time. Mention to the concierge that you want to visit the al-Qarawiyyin library; they often arrange a private viewing that is not advertised online.

Palais Amani and the Fes el-Jdid Address

Located on Douk El Batha in the Fes el-Jdid district, this converted palace sits within walking distance of the Royal Palace gates, the mellah, and the Jewish cemetery, which makes it one of the better positioned boutique stays in the city. The rooftop pool is small but elegant, ringed by citrus trees and surrounded by views over the old Jewish quarter and beyond to the hills. The hotel feels intimate, with around 30 rooms, and the restaurant serves a serious version of slow-cooked lamb shoulder that locals quietly recommend.

The Vibe? Polished palace stay in the lesser-visited corner of the medina.

The Bill? Rooms from 1,200 MAD, top suites around 3,500 MAD in shoulder season.

The Standout? Cocktails made with local herbs from the garden, ask for the zaatar gin.

The Catch? The rooftop can feel exposed in February when the wind picks up.

One insider tip: walk out the back of the hotel and up toward the Royal Palace just before sunset. The guards don't mind respectful visitors standing at the gates to photograph, and the giant bronze doors are some of the most photographed doors in the country for good reason.

Riad Idrissy and the Slow Stay Near Rcif

Hidden down a residential lane off Derb Idrissy near Place Rcif, this is one of the few riads in the medina that delivers a real rooftop pool without sacrificing any of the charm. The pool itself is just large enough for a proper swim after lunch, and the terrace looks out over a sea of tile roofs, satellite dishes, and the occasional stork nest on a nearby chimney. Lunch is served family-style and the kitchen is happy to adjust spice levels if you ask. The hotel is run by a Franco-Moroccan couple who actually live on site, which is rare in this town.

The Vibe? Lived-in, easygoing, with a rooftop pool hotel Fes corner that feels like your own.

The Bill? Around 900 to 1,600 MAD per night including breakfast.

The Standout? The rooftop lunch when the chef brings out a tray of salads and grilled lamb chops.

The Catch? No elevator, which matters when you are on the fourth floor with a suitcase.

Ask the owners for a walking map of the Rcif neighborhood. Most tourists never cross this side of the medina, but the spice souk, the boat makers' workshops, and the small zaouia shrines are some of the most photographed corners of the old city.

Dar El Ghalia and the Spa-Heavy Riad Experience

On Derb Sidi Bouloukat, near the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, Dar El Ghalia has built a reputation as much for its rooftop hammam and plunge pool as for its tiled suites. The plunge pool is on the smaller side but the treatment menu is one of the longest in the medina, and after a black soap scrub and a gommage, the rooftop dip feels practically medicinal. They also do cooking classes on the terrace in the mornings, which is one of the better classes in town if you actually want to learn how to roll your own couscous by hand.

The Vibe? Restored riad with wellness rituals that feel authentically Fassi.

The Bill? Rooms from 800 to 1,400 MAD, cooking classes around 450 MAD per person.

The Standout? The rooftop after a hammam, when the call to prayer echoes off every nearby minaret.

The Catch? The pool can feel crowded if a group books the entire top floor.

A local tip: if you take the cooking class, ask to be taken through the small Nejjarine square afterward. The fountain museum behind it is easy to walk past, and the rooftop café across the square has some of the best mint tea in the medina for about 15 MAD a glass.

Hotel & Spa Riad Dar Bensouda and the Twin-Terrace Layout

On Derb Ziat, just off the Talaa Kebira artery that runs through the medina, Dar Bensouda has two terraces, two plunge pools, and a sprawling layout that makes it one of the larger properties inside the walls. The hotel occupies a 17th-century merchant's house and the pool deck mixes traditional tile work with modern loungers in a way that doesn't feel forced. The spa offers argan oil massages, and the rooftop restaurant does a generous lunch that frequently shows up on Fes food blog roundups. Staff are long-tenured and speak excellent English and French.

The Vibe? One of the more spacious medina options for travelers who like to spread out.

The Bill? Around 900 to 1,800 MAD for a standard room, suites higher.

The Standout? The two-level terrace. Grab a lounger on the upper level for the best view.

The Catch? Standard rooms on the lower floors can be a bit dark; push for an upgrade if you can.

If you want to combine culture with your stay, walk out the front door and turn left up Talaa Kebira. Within three minutes you'll pass the Medersa Bou Inania, one of the few religious buildings in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors, and the entrance fee is around 20 MAD. The cedar carvings inside are exceptional.

When to Go and What to Know

April through early June and September through November are the best months for a rooftop pool stay in Fes. Summer temperatures climb past 40°C, which makes the rooftop a furnace between noon and 4 p.m., even with the water. Winter days are fine for sunbathing but the pools are not heated, so expect brisk morning dips from December to February. Book at least two months ahead for the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in June, when rates across all categories inflate sharply. Tipping housekeeping 30 to 50 MAD per day is standard at these properties. Bring modest clothing for the medina properties, even though most are used to international guests. Always carry cash in small bills for taxis and tea stops, since card acceptance drops the moment you leave Hotel Sahrai or other Ville Nouvelle anchor points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Fes?

A glass of Moroccan mint tea at a rooftop café in the medina runs 15 to 30 MAD, while a specialty espresso-based coffee at one of the newer Ville Nouvelle coffee shops sits between 25 and 45 MAD. Hotel rooftop bars typically charge 35 to 60 MAD for tea or coffee, with cocktails starting around 90 MAD. Prices in the Batha and Rcif neighborhoods are noticeably lower than those around Place Nejjarine.

How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Fes without feeling rushed?

Three full days is the realistic minimum to cover the medina, the tanneries, the Bou Inania and al-Qarawiyyin complexes, the mellah, and a day trip to Volubilis or Meknes. Four to five days allows for slower pacing, a hammam visit, and time to revisit favorite alleys. The medina alone contains over 9,000 alleys, so don't expect to cover it in a single morning.

Is Fes expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier traveler should plan on 1,500 to 2,500 MAD per day. That covers a 1,200 to 2,000 MAD hotel room, 200 to 350 MAD for two main meals at sit-down restaurants, 100 MAD for tea and snacks, 100 to 200 MAD in taxi fares (medina taxis are around 15 to 30 MAD per ride, longer runs 50 to 80 MAD), and entrance fees averaging 20 to 50 MAD per site, with the Palais Royal and some museums at 100 to 200 MAD.

What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Fes?

Most mid-range and rooftop restaurants in Fes already include a 10 to 15 percent service charge in the bill, so check the menu footer before adding extra. When service is not included, rounding up the bill or leaving 20 to 50 MAD is appropriate. For hotel porters, 20 to 30 MAD per bag is standard, and housekeeping typically receives 30 to 50 MAD per day at higher-end properties.

Are credit cards widely accepted across Fes, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?

Credit cards are accepted at the larger hotels, the airport, the Ville Nouvelle supermarkets, and the higher-end restaurants, but the vast majority of the medina operates on cash only. Souks, small cafés, taxi drivers, tannery guides, and most riad entrances expect dirhams in hand. Plan to carry at least 500 to 1,000 MAD per day in small bills, since ATMs inside the medina can run out of notes during busy weekends.