Dar Bennis is a wonderful small 18th century house in the heart of the
Fes medina, on a small street just off Talaa Sghira, the main business street of the medieval quarter. The house has been meticulously restored over the past four years, using only traditional crafts and materials. It is decorated simply and in exceptionally good taste, accented with antique textiles and antique furniture from the medina.

A very small central courtyard, with exceptionally-restored handmade zellij mosaic floors, serves as the centerpiece of the house. Two salons give off onto this courtyard through tall, carved wooden doors crowned with carved plaster. Standing here, one looks up at the second floor - a balcony with decorative ironwork and the stained glass windows of the upper rooms, then to the carved and painted cedar ceiling high above, encircling the traditional grille. The grille, which can be opened in summer and closed in winter, lets bright light flow down into the center of the house.

A Walking Tour of Dar Bennis:

Dar Bennis is built on four levels. The original heavy door from the
souk opens onto the tiled ground-floor entryway. From here, one can step into a large and inviting fully-equipped kitchen with hand-hewn ceiling, Italian marble countertops, and tadelakt walls. A warm atmosphere and mosaic table and chairs in the kitchen makes this a natural community gathering place after shopping in the food markets.

From the kitchen, several stairs lead to the bathroom, always full of the scent of cedar from the ceiling beams, with floor-to-ceiling zellij tile in green and white traditional patterns. The bathroom has a shower and a western toilet.

From here, a flight of tiled stairs leads up to the open central court described above, which is the main living level of the house. There is one large room with a double bed on this floor, and one smaller salon. From this level one ascends again to reach the two salons on the second floor. The large salon has a double bed and a window onto the central courtyard, and the smaller salon, with high, carved cedar doors opening onto the balcony, has a single bed.

From this level, another flight of stairs leads up to the terrace, with its panoramic view of the medina, the Merenid Tombs, and the mountains.

Staying in Dar Bennis:

Dar Bennis' windows are traditional in design, but most have been fitted
with double-pane glass to help keep down street noise. Still, the medina can be noisy at times, with children playing and music or TV from neighboring houses. Because the bathroom is downstairs, you may want to bring slippers and a bathrobe. The house has a local phone line and Internet account for those with a computer. It is possible to make long-distance calls with the purchase of a phone card. The house will be
cleaned daily by Hicham, who has been in charge of the restoration from day one, and who can give help or advice on any aspect of the house or medina. Linen service is also provided, and Hicham can take your other laundry to have it cleaned and ironed. For those who would like meals prepared, we have a cook, Fatiha, who will make one to three meals a day for a modest charge. Hicham is also happy to help with shopping for groceries.