1) Arrived in afternoon. Asked clerk about market. Told us to go to supermarket. We said we did not want supermarket. He gave us an address and told us to tell the taxi driver. We ended up in a Moroccan 'Costco'. Spent 5 minutes in store and took 45 minutes to find taxi back. Told clerk. He said, "best market".
2) Clerk insisted that official tour guide for $25 is the best thing for people with just 2 days in Fez. Made arrangements for us next morning. Met guide, who told us that it is another $30 for the driver. This guy just explained the market and history. Told the driver. He said, "of course".
3) Breakfast, included. Okay, food for dinner not great but decent. No complaints. Breakfast lousy. Asked waiter if bottle of water was extra. He said it was included. Got bottle of water. Head waiter chased after us after breakfast until I paid him $3. Okay, no big deal, but it's the way. He insisted. When I told him that the waiter said it was included, head waiter said that he was wrong... I still owe $3.
4) We were there in winter. Cold nights. Aha! Heat automatically shuts off after 3 hours. Colder mornings! #!$%#
Side note: Never take the guides, who simply steer you to their own contacts and are obnoxious if you don't buy their overpriced goods. Gawd! We were taken to pottery, rugs, jewelry, etc. Each place, we were encouraged to buy, and the guide actually got angry and offensive that we didn't. When he suggested we eat a traditional Moroccan lunch, I told him to take us home without it. He told my wife that I was refusing the lunch. Each place they requested donations. Okay we went back to hotel. Next day, we took a $2 taxi, shopped til we dropped for 10% of the cost they wanted the original day for goods, and finally smiled.
If you want a 4-star hotel, there are plenty for the same price that actually look like 4 stars and take care of their guests. Not this one.
- Sofia Hotel Fes
