Riad Kaiss Spa

The spa at Riad Kaiss sits within a 16th-century building in the Riad Zitoun Kedim quarter, once the residence of Sultan Moulay Yacoub. The riad was acquired in the 1980s by French architect Christian Ferre, who spent 25 years restoring its Moorish carved plasterwork, original tiling, and latticework. The result is a labyrinth of rooms, stairways, and terraces built around two courtyards shaded by tall trees, with a small swimming pool and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Medina towards the Atlas Mountains. The building is now part of the Anika Properties Collection, a four-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna. The spa occupies its own section of the riad and centres on a traditional hammam. The core ritual is a hammam and gommage: steam, black soap scrub, and exfoliation, followed by a massage. Riad Kaiss has developed its own line of organic bath and massage products based on argan oil, sourced locally and available in a range of scents. Beyond the hammam, the treatment menu covers signature massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, traditional henna tattoos, and waxing. Treatments are carried out by a small team of resident therapists who adjust each session to the individual rather than running through a fixed sequence. The setting is what distinguishes the experience. The peaceful courtyards, filled with birdsong and the sound of fountains, serve as the natural decompression space before and after treatments. Guests can recover by the pool or climb to the rooftop for mint tea with views across the city. With only nine rooms in the riad, the spa rarely feels busy. The whole operation runs at the quiet, unhurried pace of a private house, more personal ritual than scheduled appointment.