Tag: Fez Travel

Stay In Fez: Barcelo Fes Medina Hotel Comfortable and Inexpensive

During our visit to Fez, we stayed at the Barcelo Fes Medina Hotel. Located at Avenue Hassan II, the hotel is conveniently situated right off the main parkway. The modern-looking hotel appears to be part of a chain. As part of a tour group, our rooms were already assigned and ready upon arrival. Our room was on the third floor, not too far from the elevators.

Lobby of Barcelo Fes Medina Hotel

Barcelo Fes Medina Room Experience and Amenities

The Barcelo Fes Medina hotel had a modern look. The room required a key card to power the outlets. We noticed two beds rather than a king bed. Often, a “king” bed overseas is just two full beds pushed together. They offered to remake the beds while we were out for the day.

Barcelo Fes Medina Hotel room

When we returned, the beds were made up as promised. However, the dip in the middle can be a bit irritating. It is a minor inconvenience. The room had a modern look but needed some upkeep. The wallpaper was peeling, the shower couldn’t be fully set without flooding, and the toilet was slow to flush. Despite these issues, the room was very clean. Additionally, it appears this hotel recently underwent renovations.

View from our room at the Barcelo Fes Medina hotel

Barcelo Fes Medina Hotel Facilities and Location

The room faced the parkway, which was lively during our stay. Young families strolled along the plaza, and running clubs passed by. We were close to the elevators, where the wifi repeater was located. Unfortunately, the wifi was useless in the room but worked well in the common areas. The lobby had a large, open floor plan, giving it a modern European feel. The room price can be as low as 50-60 dollars per night, offering good value. Breakfast was included, with eggs made to order and a variety of hot and cold items.

Food at the hotel was good

The hotel is near a large mall and several cafes, offering plenty of dining options. During our stay, the hotel switched their system to air conditioning, making it the most comfortable room on our trip.

Final Impressions

The staff at Barcelo Fes Medina hotel were very accommodating, and the food was good. The location is convenient, with minor room repair issues and potential plumbing problems. Despite these, the room was comfortable and clean, with a modern feel needing slight updates. The hotel is currently ranked 48 out of 161 on TripAdvisor, and enjoys a four-star rating.

Overall, I had a favorable impression of the hotel and would consider staying there again in the future. It was a decent hotel at a reasonable price. Particularly since it appears that this hotel has undergone renovations recently.

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Immerse Yourself in the Ancient Leather Tanneries of Fez Medina

One of Morocco’s iconic sights is the leather-works in Fez Medina. Navigating the labyrinth of alleyways, our group arrived at an unmarked door. We climbed a steep, narrow set of stairs, arriving in an outer room of a leather shop.

Leather goods inside the shop

The Mint Trick

We were handed sprigs of mint, which were surprisingly helpful. The leather tanning process has a strong odor, worsened by soaking hides in cow urine and pigeon poop.

Overlooking the Fez tannery
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The Leather-works Overview

We navigated through multiple rooms, ending up on balconies overlooking the processing area. From here, we saw vats of dye and drying skins everywhere. An employee explained the curing and dyeing process before we explored the shop.

Perspective view of the Fez tannery

Shopping for Leather Goods

The leather shops sell items made from camel, cow, goat, and sheep leather. Camel leather is the most expensive and durable. Some items still smelled foul, but the odor dissipates with time. Camel leather items did not have an offensive odor.

Goods for sale in the shop.

The Art of Bargaining

I bought a pouf, and my wife purchased a purse. Prices are inflated, so bargaining is essential. Items are expensive because they are genuine leather and merchants think tourists have money. Bargaining practices are crucial to getting a fair price.

Sensory Overload

The medina’s leather shops assault your senses with colors, textures, and smells. The colorful patterns and rich textures are visually stunning, but the smell is something you can’t forget.

Looking down from a balcony to the dye pools.

A Memorable Experience

Our trip to Morocco was filled with amazing sights, like goats climbing trees. Yet, the tanneries at Fez Medina stood out as one of the most iconic images of Morocco. The blend of history, hard work, and artistry made it worth the sensory overload. And yes, the mint helps.

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