Staying in Fes
Staying in a Riad: What to Expect, Etiquette and Tips
From the porter at the medina gate to farewell tea, here is how a riad stay actually works, and the small customs that make it even more enjoyable.
5 min read
A riad does not work quite like a hotel, and that is exactly its charm. On a first stay, the same questions always come up: how do you get to the door? Are the rooms quiet? Can you come back late? How do you pay? Here, step by step, is what awaits you, along with the small customs that make life easier for everyone. If the riad concept is new to you, read what is a riad first.
Before you arrive: a few messages that change everything
After booking, send the riad your arrival time, flight or train number, and say whether you need a transfer. Mention any allergies or breakfast preferences, your children’s ages and any mobility questions. These few lines let your hosts organise your welcome at the right medina gate. Our guide to getting from Fes airport to the medina details the options.
Arrival: from the medina gate to the courtyard
No cars enter the medina. Your taxi or driver drops you at a gate or a square, where someone from the riad is waiting, often with a porter and his handcart for the luggage. After a few minutes’ walk through the lanes, a wooden door opens onto the courtyard: the contrast between the bustle of the street and the calm inside always surprises.
The welcome usually takes place over mint tea. You will be asked for your passport: in Morocco, accommodation providers are required to register their guests, a simple formality. Your hosts show you around, hand you the keys and give you your first tips for the medina.
Check-in and check-out times
As in a hotel, there are set times: at La Petite Maison, check-in is from 2 pm and check-out until 11 am. In a small riad things can often be arranged depending on availability, and you can almost always leave your luggage while you wait for your room or a late flight. Just let your hosts know.
The room: what is different
- It often faces the courtyard rather than the street: light comes from the inner courtyard, and the room is quieter.
- Every room is unique, with its own materials, proportions and sometimes steps.
- Walls are thick: excellent for keeping cool, they can slightly weaken the Wi-Fi in some rooms.
- Comfort is fully modern in a well-run riad: private bathroom, air conditioning, heating and good bedding.
Sound in a riad
The open courtyard acts like a sounding box: voices carry from one gallery to another. That is why people speak softly in the evening and early morning, out of respect for other guests. Another sound to know about: the dawn call to prayer, which echoes across the medina before sunrise. Many travellers find it beautiful; if you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs.
Breakfast and meals
Breakfast, usually included, is one of the highlights of the stay, served on the terrace or in the courtyard; we devote a whole article to it, the Moroccan breakfast. Many riads also cook dinner on request, often with a day’s notice: tajine, pastilla or Friday couscous, served in the house without having to go out again.
Coming back late and getting around the medina
A riad door is not that of a big hotel with a night porter. Ask on arrival how to get back in the evening: a front-door key, a bell, a number to call. If you are dining far away, your riad can often meet you at a medina gate. Our tips for getting around with peace of mind are in is Fes safe?.
House customs
- No smoking indoors, and pets are generally not accepted; check before you travel.
- Respect other guests’ privacy: no photos of other travellers without their consent.
- Ask before going up to certain terraces or into the family’s private spaces.
- Report any problem straight away, a lukewarm shower or a chilly room: in a small riad, things are fixed quickly.
Payment and tipping
Many riads, especially small houses, ask for payment in cash or by bank transfer rather than by card. Check before you arrive and bring dirhams; we explain everything in book your riad direct. A tip for the team, left at the end of your stay, is appreciated if you were well looked after, with no obligation whatsoever.
Departure
On the morning you leave, you settle the bill, have a last tea and the porter walks you back to the medina gate, where your taxi or driver is waiting. If your flight is late, ask to leave your luggage and enjoy one last stroll.
Your stay at La Petite Maison
With us, a porter waits for you at Rcif square, five minutes from the riad, and the welcome takes place over mint tea. Our tadelakt and zellige rooms all have a private bathroom, air conditioning and heating; the homemade breakfast is served from 8 to 10:30 am, and dinner is prepared on request the day before. Your stay is paid on site in cash or by bank transfer, with free cancellation up to seven days before arrival. Browse our rooms, discover the riad or write to us with any question; to compare neighbourhoods, see where to stay in Fes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to show my passport when checking into a riad?
Yes, in Morocco accommodation providers must register their guests. The riad records your passport details on arrival; it is a simple formality that takes a few minutes.
Are riad rooms noisy?
They are generally quiet because they face the courtyard. Voices do carry in the courtyard, though, and the dawn call to prayer can be heard across the medina: bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
Can I come back late at night to a riad?
Yes, but ask on arrival how to get in: a key, a bell or a number to call. Many riads can also meet you at a medina gate.
Should I tip at a riad?
It is not compulsory, but a tip for the team at the end of your stay is appreciated if you were well looked after.
