Moroccan design has two major heritages: first, the ancient tiling and intricate plasterwork seen throughout the cities’ historic medinas; and second, the crumbling Art Deco façades of the new cities, constructed by the French in the mid-20th century. Palais Amani, in the Fes medina, manages to marry both of these eras, while keeping things very, very au courant. You’ll enter gold-spangled wood doors to find a classically tiled riad courtyard, dominated by a massive fountain. The rooms lining it are modern, with tile and granite bathrooms (although the tubs, like many in Morocco, are hard to get in and out of — if only they were more user-friendly), sleek purple couches, mini tagines bearing potpourri next to the toilet, and large color photographs of daily medina life surrounding a flat-screen TV. The best part: the lovely rainbow of light cast through the red, green, yellow, and blue glass windows.

Chairs throughout the property are emblazoned with unique designs that seem to strike a pitch-perfect union between mod Art Deco motifs with Islamic geometric patterns. The roof bar is decorated with spools of vibrant threads in indigo, scarlet, and berry pink, a ubiquitous sight you’ll get used to seeing throughout the medina. And while there’s no pool on site, you’ll find mosaic-tiled outdoor showers on the roof deck as well, perfect for cooling down after a day of sunbathing. One of the highlights of a stay at Palais Amani is breakfast taken in on the second-floor balcony, from which all you can see is a canopy of trees, with a sliver of the fountain peeking out.

The 15-room hotel opened in April 2010 by a native son of Fes who was raised in Europe, and has quickly become one of the most coveted addresses in the medina. If you can’t book a room, however, no fear — the beautiful French-Moroccan restaurant and spa with hammam are open to nonguests with reservations.