A Palace in Fez.

The next morning we were up at dawn to see the sun rise over the desert.

The horizontal light threw every crenelation of the sinuous terrain into bold relief.

The formerly blank sand now detailed the nocturnal wanderings of birds and animals.

There is water, even here.

You just have to dig for it.

As we drove out of the desert, the landscape began to resemble that of Nevada or Arizona.

Then the south side of the Atlas Mountains appeared in the distance. Our destination was on the other side: Fez.

The landscape slowly began to green as we climbed into the foothills.

Finally becoming alpine with lakes and forests.

At last we arrived at our hotel, Palais Sheherazade, in the heart of the Fez medina.

This grand Arabo-Andalousian palace was built by the Moroccan Vizir of Finance in the 19th century as his main residence. It features a spacious open-air interior courtyard with water and lush vegetation.

The rooms are suitably palatial. 

The ceilings and fixtures are exquisitely detailed.

There's another courtyard and pool inside the main building.

And best of all, it carries the imprimatur of the Master Hotelier himself.

P.