Dar el Mathaf in Fes

Unsafe, Unsanitary, and Unprofessional – Avoid This Place

We had a terrible experience here and would strongly warn others to stay away. When we checked in, we immediately found black mold in the shower, no mattress protectors, no proper bedding (no comforter or sheet under the blanket), and overall poor hygiene.

Before arrival, I had tried multiple times to contact the hotel through both WhatsApp numbers listed on Google — no response at all. After check-in, every concern we raised was brushed off with, “we’re just a guest house.”

When we checked out early the next morning, things got even worse. The staff called the manager, who was rude and confrontational. When I mentioned the black mold, he dismissed it and said it was my fault for not getting more information before booking — even though the hotel never replied to my messages. It took five separate requests before staff finally opened the door to let us out of the building. Completely unacceptable.

We’re traveling with our 5-month-old baby, and the conditions were not only uncomfortable but potentially unsafe. Expedia has been trying to reach the hotel for a refund, but the hotel continues to deny any responsibility.

Between the black mold, lack of cleanliness, refusal to communicate, and unprofessional behavior, this place is not fit for guests — especially families. Do yourself a favor and book elsewhere.

Disappointing Stay – Not the Peaceful Dar Experience We Hoped For

My sister and I recently stayed at Dar al Mathaf during our trip to Fez, Morocco. After reading the reviews online, we thought it would be a charming experience to stay in a Dar rather than a Riad. Being located next to the Medina and central points of the city, our initial reaction was one of excitement. Unfortunately, that changed very quickly.

Upon arrival, we were met by the manager/owner, Anas, who made no effort to assist us with our suitcases through the very narrow doorway. When I mentioned this, he simply replied that he had no staff available. I let it go at the time, trying to stay optimistic. It mentioned mint tea and water on arrival in other people view we clearly did not get this treatment at all and nothing is provided in the rooms either.

He then pointed out that we had booked a basic room without a private bathroom and offered us an upgrade for an extra €15 per night, which we accepted and paid for immediately. We then had to carry our luggage ourselves to the first-floor room. Once inside, it became clear that the room was much smaller than how it had appeared in the photos online — something that immediately set off alarm bells, but we decided to make the best of it.

The next day, after a morning exploring the Medina, we returned to the Dar hoping to rest. However, this was not possible due to the constant loud conversations from Anas, his mother, and his aunt on the ground floor. The layout of the property allows noise to travel easily, and it became impossible to relax. It honestly felt like we were staying in someone’s family home, with no sense of privacy or guest comfort. Nowhere in the listing did it mention that the family spends the day in the communal areas, treating the space like their own living room.

A few days into the stay, Anas began persistently asking for the room tax. I explained — as I have done throughout 15 years of traveling across Morocco — that I would settle it at the end of the stay, as is the norm. Despite this, he continued to hound us, which felt very uncomfortable and unprofessional.

Other guests during our stay expressed similar frustrations — in fact, most of them left after just one night. The only exception was a pair of Spanish girls who ended up at the Dar by accident after failing to locate their original booking. I now wish we had checked out early as well.

The only positive aspect of our stay was Amina, the young woman who prepared breakfast and cleaned the rooms. She was kind, respectful, and clearly hardworking — a credit to the place.

Overall, I would not recommend Dar al Mathaf to anyone looking for a peaceful, private, or professionally run guesthouse. Despite its high ratings, our experience was far from what was advertised. If you're visiting Fez, I strongly suggest exploring other options — this property, in my view, is no more than a 1-star guesthouse where guests are made to feel like intruders in a family home. The family owners are using this to make money at the expense of travellers like myself