THICK TOWELS, SHEETS, AND SOUP, THE HOTEL SOFIA FES
Written: Jun 25 '00 (Updated May 09 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Service, and Decor
Cons: Finally checking out
The Bottom Line: QUAINT BUT COMFORTABLE
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| JAMES23's Full Review: Fes |
My first night in Morocco was spent in Fes at the Hotel Sofia, in the Ville Nouvelle. Night had fallen and there was a cold wind from the nearby Riff Mountains blowing through the city. I was cold tired and dirty after my day long trip down from the coast and an earlier rough ferry ride over from Spain. Despite all that I was still excited to finally be in Morocco.
My first impression of the hotel was not favourable. It appeared to be a small decrepit building stuck between two others on a tiny side street. You know what they say about first impressions though. Mine changed after I stepped into the lobby.
The lobby looked like something out of a Thousand and One Arabian Nights. Thick colourful carpets, giant brass urns and heavy dark wood furniture. This motif was carried on throughout the remainder of the hotel. We were shown into the breakfast room and plied with hot coffee, mint tea, and small cakes while we completed the necessary paperwork required to spend a night in a Moroccan hotel.
When this was completed the bell hop showed me to my room, reached by a tiny circular wrought iron staircase. There is also an ancient and tiny elevator. The room matched the lobby motif even down to the heavy ancient brass key. A quick examination though revealed that all the modern conveniences were skillfully hidden among the antiques. There was a mini bar, a telephone, radio and satellite TV.
First order of business was to wash the dirt from my travels off. The spacious bathroom and ancient tub were just the thing. An unlimited supply of steaming hot water soon refreshed my body and soul and I then discovered the first of the Hotel Sofias many surprises. The towels were huge thick and warm, I could almost have used one as a tent if needed.
Reluctantly I dressed and headed to the dining room to join my travelling companions for a late dinner. The meal was fantastic, a mix of French and Moroccan dishes served with a quiet and dignified efficiency. My main memory is of the soup, thick and piping hot.
After dinner, I took a quick stroll around the neighborhood and had a quiet drink in the small but well appointed bar I retired for the night. I had a long day ahead of me, and there really isn't much night life in Fes. As I crawled into bed tired and excited I discovered the last surprise the hotel would offer me, heavy thick cotton sheets. As I fell asleep I knew it would be hard to part from the bed let alone the hotel the next day.
Hotel Sofia, 3 Rue de Pakistan, Ville Nouvelle, Fes. Single 400 Dirhams ($40.00 US) per night including continental breakfast.
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Recommended:
Yes
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JAMES23
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Member: James Smith
Location: Toronto Ontario CANADA
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