Big welcome…
…to your home away from home at my former carpet showroom in Fez Jdid, Fez, Morocco. I am Adil, the carpet seller.
This is my story: I was born in this neighborhood, Fez Jdid.
Fez Jdid was founded in 1400 to support a new palace and administrative center for the Sultan of Morocco. It is a walled city separate from Fez el Bali, the Medina, which dates from 800. Ville Nouvelle, New City, was founded during the French colonial era, the 1800s.
When I was growing up, in the 1980s, I was not aware, but these were difficult times of social unrest and poverty. What I did know was that people with money lived in the Medina. Although the people in Fez Jdid were largely poorer and this neighborhood was considered dangerous, they were artistic and creative and they continued their craft traditions from previous generations.
My father was an artisan, making djellabas, and by age 6, I was helping him with embroidery. When I was 21, I created the Cooperative Artisanal because I wanted to help my neighbors and the people I come from, and to preserve our cultural heritage. Over time, as the number of artisans represented and the types of works collected increased, I was able to move the Cooperative into my childhood home at Labtatha Fès al Jadid, 43 bis, Fès, just down the street.
This building, the Carpet Seller’s House, was added as an additional showroom. When Fez Jdid opened the opportunity to create tourist rentals in 2024, it was the perfect time for this building to evolve into a guest house with traditional architectural elements and the garden Jnan Sibl as a unique background.
BIg Welcome!
بائع سجاد
15 Labtatha Fes al Jadid, Fes, Maroc
3 floors, plus terrace
- Entry, salon and dining, kitchen, bathroom
- Bedroom with reading alcove, bathroom with shower
- Salon, bathroom with shower
- Terrace
A central staircase connects all floors. There is no elevator or alternative to the stairs. there is also limited privacy as the staircase connects directly to all rooms.
Sleeps 7; we cap limit at 4.
Breakfast included at Riad Serendipity (reserve one day ahead)
Traditional dinners by reservation at Riad Serendipity, 15 euros
Paid parking available at Bab Riafa
Five minute walk from Bab Riafa parking to the Carpet Seller’s House
The Carpet Sellers House
From the garden Jnan Sibl, the Carpet Sellers House is getting a new facade, and carpets are airing out on the terrace.
It is a townhouse. The entry level at (address) is a salon / dining area, full kitchen, half bath.
Both of these sofas become sleeping sofas.
Stairs lead to to the 2nd floor bedroom.
There is a reading alcove that can become two single beds.
On the third floor is a salon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jnan_Sbil_Gardens
As a guest of The Carpet Seller’s House, you are also a guest of Riad Serendipity, no. 84 Derb Boutouile, Fez Jdid. Breakfast is served from 8 to 10 a.m. each morning and you must reserve the day before. (And yes, you may have a standing reservation at the same time each morning during your stay).
Breakfast
How do you like your egg prepared? Coffee? Moroccan tea? Both?
Directions: out the door, turn right. Do not take the first right. At the corner right after the welding shop, make a right turn. There are petite groceries on both sides of the street after you make this turn. Continue straight. You will pass, on your left, Bab Riafa parking. You will pass, also on your left, the pharmacy (if it is closed, the crescent moon sign above is still visible), you will cross a road to your right but continue straight. The street will turn to the right just after the street widens to a large square and the water faucet for the neighborhood is on your right.
Riad Serendipity is on your left.
This is a 7 minute walk.
Location
The Carpet Seller’s House is located on a narrow side street amidst family homes and small businesses that cater to the local families in the Fez Jdid (فاس جديد) neighborhood. The building was most recently a showroom for the Cooperative Artisanal and converted into a guest house with a rooftop terrace in 2024. The restoration incorporates artisanal architectural elements, and is easily recognizable with its engraved facade.
Fez Jdid is a palace city founded in 1276. It is the second (Jdid, or jadid, means new in Arabic) of the three parts of Fez. The Medina, called the old city, was built in the 900s, Fez Jdid some 400 years later, and Ville Nouvelle (New City /Town) was created by the French in the 20th century. Fez Jdid includes the King’s Palace and the historic Mellah (Jewish Quarter).The Carpet Seller’s House in the northern section, bordering on the garden Jnan Sibl. The closest gate is Bab Riafa. The Blue Gate to the Medina is 10 minutes walking.
Our location on a narrow street in a residential neighbourhood (no cars) means no taxis or shuttle vans will deliver you directly to our door.
We can arrange shuttle service for you from the Fes airport, train or bus station. The drivers will greet you personally and drive you to Bab Riafa. The driver will call and you will be greeted by us and escorted directly to our door. We are actually located in an easy-to-find location but it may not seem so for a first-time visitor.
However you arrive, we want to make your stay comfortable and memorable. Please reach out to us as needed in for assistance with the last half mile / 600m of your journey.
GPS coordinates for the Carpet Seller’s House: : 34°3’17.12”N 4°59’12.72”W
GPS coordinates for Bab Riafa parking: 34°03’25.3”N 4°59’13.9
Collecting the key
The Carpet Seller’s House is part of Riad Serendipity, and one had the option of collecting the key at the Riad or meeting us at the House.
Option A: Go directly to the Carpet Seller’s house. If you are driving, there is parking at Bab Riafa. If you are being dropped off, ask to be left at the parking closest to the entrance to Fez Jdid. (There is a large building (storks on the roof!) with parking on both sides — you want to be near the motorcycle parking area next to the arched gate). Please note: we can meet you at this gate if you like.
DIRECTIONS from Bab Riafa: enter through the arched gate, turn right and then immediately left.
Note: you are turning away from a raceway (a long narrow space that is used for organizing long threads). Weavers, take a moment to drool.
The wall is on your right. Continue on this street to number 15, which is just before the wall becomes a building.
We will check you in at the Carpet Seller’s House.
Option B: Come to Riad Serendipity first. Number 15 Derb Boutouile. Closest gate is Bab Sammarin.
We will check you in (will need your passport) and we will walk with you to the Carpet Seller’s House.
Linens and towels…
And cooking utensils, dishes, appliances…
We supply!
Your departure
The key will need to be dropped off at Riad Serendipity or someone from the Riad will be at the Carpet Seller’s House when you depart because the key is needed to lock the door. We will make arrangements in advance so your departure is not fraught!
We look forward to sharing this corner of Fez with you!
Booking
Booking.com as an option with Riad Serendipity OR
Whatsapp Roberta Goering +1 815 603 9397 or
WhatsApp Adil Moustaqim +212 77037
carpetsellershouse 