Guest House

The name Jamaï came about following an encounter in the old town of Fes (a historic city in Northern Morocco, 10 centuries old); today, the riad fes Jamaï is located between the Andalusian quarter and Sidi Boujida. This name is also that of the Palais Jamaï, the Sofitel of Fes, one of the most famous hotels in Fes. This hotel has no family connection with the guesthouse of the name « Jamaï ». The establishment was originally known for hosting weddings; it is now one of the only hotels where you can stay close to the second most famous mosque, the Andalusian mosque, on the right bank of the medina.

From a riad in Fes to the Jamaï guesthouse

This name is a story of the heart in Fes, following the meeting of a young child during a visit to the riad fes, which was to be restored. This young child told us the story of her family and her grandfather, who all lived in this traditional house with Arab-Moorish architecture, where at the centre of the palace there was a large courtyard and two floors rising towards the blue sky of Fes. Upstairs, the bedrooms, suites and bathrooms were laid out; on the top floor, a terrace to be restored, with a view over the old town. She was proud to see her grandfather, named Jamaï, gather most of his family under one roof (this riad in Fes). Touching, gentle and sincere, we will Never forget this meeting on the terrace of a riad in the Andalusian quarter. The adventure was meant to end there, in December 2006; we wish grandfather Jamaï’s family a long life.

A wedding story behind the riad’s origin

The story of Riad Jamaï continues in a wedding hall well known to the people of Fes. Several traditional unions were celebrated at the heart of this patio, which has since been enhanced with a swimming pool beneath the saffron suite, just 50m from the riad of the young woman from Fes mentioned earlier. The large riad in Fes is for sale, and with it comes the end of the celebrations held there; a Frenchman wishes to sell and take advantage of Fes’s growing tourism industry to change the purpose of this venue and turn it into a place to stay or a stopover.

The story is created, the place will be called Riad Jamaï, charmed by the volumes of the patio, the large rooms where one can easily imagine the placement of the beds and lounges, which will become suites, and the spaces will undoubtedly ensure comfort for every booking. During the visit, imagination runs wild, desires are carefree, but the work is significant, impressive, even huge.

The name Jamaï is memorable

The name Jamaï, with its umlaut, is easy to remember because you will Never forget your stay at this riad. Indeed, we drop the « s », but that’s because it was originally a Moroccan family name. But most importantly, for the story, guests of this house may ask us why there’s no « s » in that case? Because there is only one Riad Jamaï in Fes, so no agreement is needed. As you read this site, we sincerely hope to spark your desire to discover, in real life, the care the team will take of you, the architecture and the personality of each of the rooms and suites.

A guesthouse is not a hotel

The poetry offered by a palace from the Thousand and One Nights bears no resemblance to Western hotel standards; exchanges, spontaneity, culture, adventure, service — all important words when choosing to book a room in a riad in the medina rather than in a soulless, sanitised hotel with no history and no call of the muezzins. The establishment fills its patio with oriental flavours and spices, and the restaurant’s menu features the best gastronomy the kingdom has to offer.

An original and unique traditional riad

The spelling is unique, Jamaï, but the riad is often written Jamai, without the umlaut. Sometimes, guests write it Jaamai or Jammaï because in certain languages of the world, this respects their spelling rules. Unique because it offers foot access within a few minutes to Place R’cif, the centre of this medina; from this starting point, monuments, gates, palaces and gardens will illustrate every step you take. The riad is a private establishment with no hotel group at its head; the owners are not seeking luxury or appearances, but above all the experience of a holiday in Morocco and the passing on of this centuries-old spirit.

Riad, Ryad or riyad?

More than a dar, once Jamaï is properly spelled, one can dwell on the term riad. A riad can be likened to a Dar, even though the exact definition is to have a garden. It is also a smaller house, often with a more modest patio, originally without a swimming pool. The spelling of riad is not as obvious as it might seem; we have noticed that some visitors to the site www.riadjamai.com come in searching for Ryad Jamaï and Riyad Jamaï when looking for one of the riads in this city with 10 centuries of history.

Other spellings we’ve noticed for the Jamaï hotel include Riyadh, Ryadh and Riadh. The simplest remains a riad in Fes called Jamaï. Whatever spelling you choose when searching for accommodation in the medina, look at the riad reviews and you’ll see that the team’s welcome is attentive and every comment lists the details that make for a successful holiday.

Below you will find all the details of our accommodation offer, as well as, under the rates tab, the full restaurant menu. The entire team welcomes you throughout the year for a stay of a few nights or for an extended holiday — enjoy your discovery!

In detail, a booking includes breakfast, internet access, household linen, staff service and good cheer. We have carefully selected the quality of each bed to ensure you sweet and peaceful nights after exploring the medina. On request, the team takes care of booking a taxi for transfer from the airport to the riad, as well as other services such as a guide, body treatments, a cultural centre, a restaurant reservation for lunch, or a spa in the new town.