Reviews

HOTEL SAHRAI

Morocco

by Charleen Parkes

This opulent boutique hotel offers extraordinary views of every period in the history of Fez, the mother of all Moroccan imperial cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. Far from the postcard clichés, you see the budding roots and the development of a lively city. Imagine your days in a former palace turned 5-star splendid hotel, with a high-minded service a stone’s throw away from perhaps one of the most important landmarks in the world.

Hotel Sahrai is the vision of co-owner Anis Sefrioui and fulfils a lifelong dream. A young entrepreneur and architect’s son, he started out running the Riad Fès, which his father had previously converted into a hotel. As head of this establishment, which he brought up to Relais & Châteaux standards and enlarged by adding a spa designed by architect and designer Christophe Pillet, he contributed to the sustainable development of tourism in his city.

OUR STORY

Hotel Sahrai is a healthy haven in the heart of Fez, welcoming you into its world of well-being and relaxation. During the day, you can sink into the impressive panoramic infinity pool, receive an endless choice of massages in the ultimate privileged Givenchy spa, indulge in a hammam session, or simply dip into the inviting jacuzzi. For active time, the hotel has its own Technogym and excellent outdoor tennis court.

The ground floor has two restaurants serving an à la carte menu and set menus that include Moroccan and continental specialities of the house, juice, and fresh fruit salads. We had breakfast and dinner at the Amaraz restaurant (gourmet Moroccan cuisine) and indulged in some fine Moroccan cold and hot dishes.

The establishment comprises 6.800 m2 of floor space with ten superior rooms, twenty-six deluxe rooms, 13 junior suites, and one sahrai suite. We stayed at the Junior Suite on the third floor, a room facing the hotel arcades with stunning panoramic views of the city of Fez. Taza stone facings are on one side of the room, adding brightness to the property. The in-glass bathroom had a tall Fassi jar specially designed for the hotel, adding a designer touch to local skills and traditions. Piero Lissoni designed our comfortable bed, and we had an iconic 1960s desk lamp.

The screens, windows and moucharaby also meet this requirement, tempered by a selection of seating designed by Christophe Pillet for Emu, Tacchini and Vasharin; and by the choice of distinctive pieces in the guest rooms. For the Hotel Sahrai, exclusivity is the greatest of all luxuries.

THE GOODIES

Givenchy Spa & Traditional hammam
Panoramic infinity pool with swimming mane, medium depth pool and shallow pool
Tennis court
Two restaurants: Amaraz (gourmet Moroccan cuisine) and Relais de Paris (Parisian brasserie menu)
Elevator (lift)
Seminar room for 80 people in conference layout
WiFi, high-speed internet
Two bars on panoramic terraces: Les Arcades and The Rooftop (DJ sets from Thursday to Sunday)
Hair dryers, slippers and complimentary toiletries
In-room desk, safe, minibar, flat-screen TV and Nespresso coffee machine
Cleaning service twice a day, including bedding

SUMMARY

Rate – Start from 198 euros per night based on 2 people
Location – located a 10 minute drive to the medina (old city)
Suitable for – couples, families, and business travellers
Tip – Reserve the Givenchy Spa as Hotel Sahrai, 4th in the world to have this well-being luxury and 1st in Morocco.

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