Dar El Menia Fez, Fès, Maroc

This fully restored dar is focused around its traditional courtyard, which, with its original marble floor, patterned tiles (zellig) and plaster carving, provides natural air conditioning and is the heart of the house around which all accommodation is based.

Dar El Menia is run and owned by an Englishman, Graham Coules. He has employed an old medina family who reside nearby.

Um Klthum is the maid and is a superb traditional Moroccan cook, Abdul speaks English, French and Spanish and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the Medina.

Dar El Menia lies in the heart of Fes (Fez) Medina, former imperial capital of Morocco and the world?s largest medieval medina. Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site but it is not a museum it is a living, breathing city and Dar El Menia provides the perfect luxurious base to begin exploring the old and the new. This dar, or courtyard house, is at least 250 years old and has recently been completely restored using local craftsmen, techniques and materials.