Andalous Riad

Helen Ranger went exploring in the Andalous quarter and came across an interesting riad ...


The medina of Fez offers lots of places to stay north of the river, but when it comes to the Andalous quarter, this is the first one that Helen Ranger has come across. Owned by a trio of Brits, Riad Rmila is large and airy and has a spacious courtyard and garden with fountain. They'd like to rent out the house for holidays to finance the renovation of another house they've bought. This one has been well renovated, keeping the original tiles and plaster as far as possible, only augmenting them where necessary. There are two double bedrooms and two singles, and bathrooms are a treat; the one on the ground floor has a jacuzzi too.

Most visitors to Fez are familiar with the view of the Chaouwara tanneries. This house has a view of the pits from the other side, which puts a quite different perspective on things.

Best approached from R'cif, it's a ten minute walk from the taxi rank there. It's not for the faint-hearted, being in an area of the medina where you simply don't see any tourists ... yet. But there's a guardian to show you where the house is. It's interesting that just a couple of years ago, anywhere out of the Batha area was considered a bit risque, but houses in more and more areas of the medina are being bought up by westerners to convert into guesthouses or simply houses to rent for holidays.

You can find out more about Riad Rmila at Fez Riads or www.riadrmila.com.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news