The Fez medina at sunrise, seen from above
The Fez medina at sunrise, seen from above · Photo Kyle Frost / Unsplash
Guide · Morocco · Fez

Heated pool in Fez: swim without the shivers

Fez, the oldest of the imperial cities, has cool and sometimes rainy winters. Few riads in the medina have room for a pool, let alone a heated pool. Here are the places I've selected, from the medina out to the hot springs of Moulay Yacoub. I've selected 9 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Palais D'hôtes Suites & Spa Fès (4.5/5).

9places with a heated pool
8/10minimum guest rating
°C ?ask for the temperature

The places

Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.

Verification
Hot tub

9 places shown

Palais D'hôtes Suites & Spa Fès

Medina (Fès el-Bali), about a 3-minute walk from the El Glaoui Palace
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor poolRiad
4.5/5132 reviews · TripAdvisor (via Logitravel)

The pool. Covered pool, presented as indoor. Heating not specified.

A recent guest reports damaged mosaic tiles in the pool. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Ask about the water temperature when you book.

Sources: Logitravel

Riad Jamaï

Medina, a few hundred metres from Fès el-Bali
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor poolRiad
8.9/10689 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Indoor pool and plunge pool. Heating not specified.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. The pool is small: ask about its size and temperature before you book.

Sources: Kayak

Vichy Thermalia Spa Hôtel

Moulay Yacoub, near Fez
°C ?ask
Advertised onlyHeating period not specifiedHotel
8.6/10205 reviews · TripAdvisor (4,3/5)

The pool. Heated pool and two covered pools, one of them women-only. Closed every year from 6 May to 4 June.

One guest reports the pool was under maintenance during their stay.

Guide's tip. Check the pool will be open on your dates.

Sources: Logitravel

Riad Zawiyat Fès

Boulevard Allal El Fassi, Fez
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor poolRiad
9.2/10307 reviews · ViaMichelin

The pool. Indoor pool. Heating not specified.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Ask about the water temperature when you book.

Sources: ViaMichelin

Riad Braya

Fez, 30110 district
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor poolRiad
9.1/10263 reviews · Booking (via ViaMichelin)

The pool. Indoor pool in the patio. Heating not specified.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Ask about the water temperature when you book.

Sources: ViaMichelin

Riad Salam Fès

Medina, Douh district, a 10-minute walk from Fès el-Bali
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor poolRiadJacuzzi
9.1/10316 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Indoor pool and outdoor pool, with a jacuzzi. Heating not specified.

The hot tub. Jacuzzi.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. In winter, go for the indoor pool and get its temperature confirmed.

Sources: Kayak

Villa Fès Garden

Near Fez airport
°C ?ask
Advertised onlyPool heated April to OctoberVilla for rent · AirbnbJacuzzi
5.0/529 comments · Airbnb

The pool. Pool heated from April to October; jacuzzi heated from November to March, plus an indoor spa as an optional extra.

The hot tub. Jacuzzi heated from November to March.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. From November to March, the heated jacuzzi takes over from the pool.

Sources: Airbnb

Riad Marjana Suites & Spa

Medina, Derb Ziat, Douh district
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor poolRiad
9.0/10517 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Indoor pool. Heating not specified.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Ask about the water temperature when you book.

Sources: Kayak

Riad Le Sucrier de Fès

Medina, Douh district, 300 m from the Batha Museum
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor poolRiad
9.0/10241 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Indoor pool. Heating not specified.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Ask about the water temperature when you book.

Sources: Kayak

Fancy hot water? The hot tubs

These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.

Riad Ommeyad Suite & Spa

Medina, Bab Guissa area
Jacuzzihot water
Hot tub, no heated poolNo heated poolRiadJacuzzi
9.1/10122 reviews · Bedandbreakfast.eu

The hot tub. Shared jacuzzi, plus a suite with its own private jacuzzi. The pool is not advertised as heated.

The suite with the private jacuzzi is 45 m², on the ground floor.

Guide's tip. For a stay for two, book the suite with the private jacuzzi.

Appartement avec jacuzzi et sauna

Fez Ville Nouvelle
Jacuzzihot water
Hot tub, no heated poolNo heated poolApartment · AirbnbJacuzzi
5.0/524 comments · Airbnb

The hot tub. Private jacuzzi and sauna.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. A good option for a getaway for two.

Sources: Airbnb

Frequently asked questions

What is the best place to stay with a heated pool in Fez?

In my selection, the top-rated is Palais D'hôtes Suites & Spa Fès (Riad), with 4.5/5 (132 reviews · TripAdvisor (via Logitravel)). Next come Riad Jamaï (8.9/10) and Vichy Thermalia Spa Hôtel (8.6/10).

Is the pool heated all year round in Fez?

None of the places selected in Fez clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. At Villa Fès Garden, heating is seasonal (pool heated april to october). Palais D'hôtes Suites & Spa Fès, Riad Jamaï and Riad Zawiyat Fès have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.

What is the water temperature in Fez?

None of the places selected in Fez gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.

Is there a place to stay with a hot tub in Fez?

Yes: Riad Salam Fès and Villa Fès Garden also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Riad Ommeyad Suite & Spa and Appartement avec jacuzzi et sauna.

Can I rent a house with a private heated pool in Fez?

Yes, one villa is selected: Villa Fès Garden. Heating is sometimes charged extra: check the listing.

How I check

The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.

Confirmed by guests

Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.

Confirmed by a reviewer

A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.

Advertised only

The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.

Indoor pool

Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.

Places I left out

I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.

PlaceWhat the sources sayRatingReason
Palais Medina Riad ResortIndoor pool, outdoor pool and jacuzzi7,9/10Rating below 8/10
Palais Shéhérazade & SpaIndoor pool and outdoor pool7,7/10Rating below 8/10
Zalagh Parc PalaceThree pools, including one indoor pool6,9/10Rating below 8/10
Hotel & Spa Dar BensoudaSmall pool in the patio, advertised as not heated9/10Pool not heated
Hotel SahraiOutdoor infinity pool and jacuzzi at the spa, heating not stated9,2/10Heating not confirmed

Sources: Kayak, Kayak, Kayak, Fairmoove, Guide Michelin.