Sofitel Palais Jamai Fes

They don’t seem to understand what ’5 star’ means

Gardens and pool are best feature of this hotel -beautiful. We would also recommend highly the hotel’s Moroccan restaurant (but not the other drab one). Hotel falls down on a number of things that shouldn’t have to be in a so-called 5 star international hotel: if you are a non-smoker, forget it. The bar and public areas reak of smoke and they even boast ’the exotic fumes of cigar smoke’ in the bar. Surely a 5 star international hotel should have no smoking areas in hotels and bars for European and American vistors will rightly wish to reconsider their options if this is an issue for them. We paid for a room with a balcony but didn’t get one. We did get a traditional room which was nice but it was miles away from the main area, and overlooked a flat roof on which were discarded plastic bottles and even a pair of discarded underpants!; we had a long delay waiting for a room; the evening temperature was cold but we found they only switched on the heat from 6 until 9. Surely the whole point is that one is paying this kind of money to control one’s own room temperature - we compained but to no avail; the bath in our room was filthy; the bath plug didn’t work, and the shower kept falling out of its fitting and spraying the walls. Best of all, we asked the concierge for a local map (essential for the medina) only to be told that they didn’t have such things. So what does a concierge do if he is not there to provide help and info?

Probably safer to go for one of the newer rooms with a balcony. Also get a guide to take you into the Medina. We got hopelessly lost and it is quite scary. Also get a good map to take you to the hotel on Bab Guissa. It is not easy to find. (Fes centre is a living nightmare!) Beware predatory people that buzz you on motorbikes as you go in to the city offering to show you to your hotel: they can be intrusive, intimidating and expensive

BEWARE

The hotel was gorgeous in terms of atmosphere and ambience and decor. However, the staff, most noteably the front desk and concierge, were not very pleasant and kept charging me for cigarettes that I know were paid for. This occured two times. The constantly seemed hungry for your tips and money before they gave you decent service. They did recommend a good tour guide and although it was Ramadan, their was a "gentleman" at the front desk who would not sell me cigarettes until 5:00 p.m. However, I was told by others and sold by others cigarettes are available there upon request. ASK FOR A RECEIPT FOR EVERYTHING! Pool was magnificent and Danielle in the boutique was extremely helpful and one of the bartenders for the terrace was pleasant. However, the woman, not young girl concierge and male concierge were very snotty.

Good

Good. Will retrn