Hotel Sahrai

Tapping into its French roots, Relais de Paris offers a brasserie menu with a Moroccan twist - try the crepes served with quail in a cinnamon and lavender honey sauce. The hotel's flagship restaurant, Amaraz, serves beloved local favourites in a private, candlelit setting, serenaded by the plinking tunes of a luth. The rooftop bar has a muted, cosy feel and its Sunday Brunch is a fantastic spread accompanied by locally-made rosé. In your down time, enjoy panoramic views from the rooftop pool and rose oil massages at the spa.

With the deft hand of esteemed designer Christophe Pillet, the rooms at Hotel Sahrai blur the lines between extravagance and simplicity. Sinfully stylish, all are decorated in desert hues, Taza stone cladding, and statement pieces like burnt orange headboards and oversized vases. Floor-to-ceiling picture windows let in reams of natural light and most boast impeccable views of the medina. Glass-walled bathrooms have deep, sunken tubs and Acqua di Parma toiletries, and the larger suites feature a private terrace, spacious lounge, and walk-in closet.

Before leaving the new town for the medina, take a stroll to admire some of the fine Art Deco houses. In the 12th-century Fes el Bali, visit one of the world's oldest libraries, see the richly decorated Dar Batha Palace and Andalusian Mosque, and watch the masters at work at the medieval Chouara Tannery. And if you're still looking for something to do, take a drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, hike to the summit of Mount Zalagh, or while away a few hours in the sulphurised waters of the Moulay Yacoub.