Palais Amani is the beautiful boutique hotel we stayed at known as the riad. It is actually well known among the locals because it used to be a residence of a prestigious and wealthy family. It's located by the souks, easy enough to find by car, but definitely tricky when you're coming from the souks.
When: Fes is up North and gets pretty chill towards the night, so I recommend coming here late Spring - Early Fall
Cost: about $200 a night
Who: very friendly staff - contact available at Palai Amani
Duration: 3 nights and 2 days was plenty for us
Tips: breakfast is usually included and very tasty, their mint tea is great. Let them know if you want dinner prepped (they'll usually ask) because kitchens close at 9-10 pm and so do a lot of restaurants in Fes
My personal experience: The riad is gorgeous and the staff are very friendly. We stayed in the Blue Room and loved it, they probably had one of the best showers in Morocco. We had enough time to experience the luxury hamam which was really nice ($66 per person). They do try to provide everything for you so that you don't have to go through other services. So whenever you ask "where is [insert the impossible]" they'll almost always respond with "oh we have that here!" So take advantage of it, but be cautious of some the higher rates they charge. Definitely book the panoramic tour of Fes with a driver with them. The usual rate is for a full day, but ask for half a day that's plenty to see the best about Fes including what's left of the Tomb, Jewish gate, King's palaces and a textile factory.
Luxury Hammam is a special spa service known as a "Turkish bath" which consists of a body scrub and wash. You won't be able to find this kind of spa service for such a good deal except overseas so take advantage!
When: most places can do it from 10 am till evening hours
Cost: since this was luxury and offered by our riad it was about $66 a person for the traditional hammam experience
Who: our riad arranged locals to come and do the Hammam on us in their downstairs Hammam sauna/steam room (which was extremely nice and hot)
Duration: since it was luxury and just us two (simultaneously) it took them about almost two hours
Tips: don't take a shower before hand because you don't want your body to be dry and definitely do it on a day where you plan to just relax
My personal experience: it was our first time and I was stunned. I've always heard so much about it and couldn't wait to try it. First they took us into a room stirpped me down to your underwear (they do it for you - relax it's in an appropriate manner for both you and your husband) then they soak your hands and feet in a warm bucket of water. They lather on some type of clay mud soap on you and they put a hair mask on us and took us into the steam room. The steam room had a Moroccan fountain running with hot water and after 10-15 minutes of time. Meanwhile, they would wash us down as we lay there on hot stoned benches and then scrub us down again and continue the process for over an hour. After they're done scrubbing you (you were basically squeaky clean), they took us to showers (individually) and helped us cleanse our bodies (you do your own private parts). These ladies even shampoo'ed and conditioned my hair for me and then tied it in a braid. Afterwards they pamper you and dry you. You're given robes so you can chill in another room with your partner and some delicious mint tea. We loved it and probably slept for the rest of the day. It was amazing and very much well needed.