Palais Bahia is an elegant and beautiful riad; the décor is relatively simple but very sophisticated. Purpose-built in the Ville Nouvelle (so away from the hectic streets of the medina), construction mirrors a traditional riad, with a decorative courtyard and fountain at the heart of the hotel. Away from the courtyard, walls are simply plastered and corridors enlivened with splashes of colour in the rugs and window shutters. The rooms mix contemporary European aesthetics with touches of Moroccan style and colour to give you a sense of place. There’s a small, calming pool, a hammam and spa, a restaurant serving local and international cuisine and a peaceful library. Palais Bahia offers al of the intimacy and style of a traditional medina riad, but in a more modern setting and in the (slightly) more low-key setting of the modern town.