61, Derb El Hammam, Mouassine, Marrakech, Morocco | (888) 616-5829
Riad-style
guesthouse with authentic homey vibe
Set in the
bustling center of the medina
Moody and plush
or fresh and bright rooms
Peaceful
courtyard with plunge pool
Rooftop terrace with
loungers
Breakfast
included in rate
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
No hammam or spa
Some bathrooms
lack privacy
One room has no windows (pro in the heat)
Location especially difficult to find
With its plunge pool, courtyard, and rooftop terrace, the Riad Lorsya typifies the medina's guesthouses, and it has a more authentic Moroccan vibe than others. Some rooms are particularly plush and romantic or bright, while others are dark; and the Mamounia room lacks windows entirely -- though that keeps it cool. One traditional feature that's missing: a hammam. There's also no on-site spa facilities, but in-room massages can be arranged. Prices might be a tad higher than elsewhere, but guests would be hard pressed to find a riad this smack-bang in the center of the medina for much less. Still, guests could compare rates with the centrally located Riad Karmela.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Riad-style guesthouse with a genuine Moroccan vibe and homey ambience
After navigating a particularly labyrinthian section of the medina,
visitors step through a typically inconspicuous wooden doorway and into the
secluded oasis of Riad Lorsya. The vibe immediately feels genuine, like that of an 18th-century Moroccan
homestead, with black-and-white photos and freshly cut roses sprinkled with pinpoints of light
from traditional lampshades. The courtyard is a serene and airy space complete
with plunge pool, and it's subtly decorated with traditional touches, such as
intricately carved plasterwork, patterned rugs, and ornate wrought-iron
railings. Plush, colorful lounge areas provide places to loll about, while the rooftop terrace has loungers to soak up the sunshine and
panoramic views over the medina.
Location
Set in the bustling and byzantine heart of the medina
The hotel could
hardly be more nestled among the convoluted, cobbled pedestrian streets of the center of Marrakech's ancient medina. Pretty much all the main
tourist attractions of this 11th-century UNESCO-recognized district are within
walking distance, with the entrance to the city's famous souks practically on
the riad's doorstep. The lively Djemaa el-Fna square -- full of snake-charmers,
fortune-tellers, and orange juice vendors -- is within a five-minute stroll, and guests can easily find a horse-drawn cart to explore outside the medina walls. There is no direct car access to the
hotel, though there's parking and taxis within a five-minute walk -- an airport
transfer organized through the riad is highly recommended, because it's well-hidden. The riad is within a 15-minute drive of Marrakech Menara Airport.
Rooms
Plush, dark, and romantic or fresh and bright rooms
While most of the
riad is relatively understated, the decor in its five rooms is anything
but -- awash with shimmering purple and crimsons, plush velvet furnishings, and
heavy tasseled drapery, all low-lit with traditional filigree creates a particularly
moody ambience. The Samsara Room is especially atmospheric -- and romantic --
with a mezzanine sleeping area. The Saltana Room is fairly small,
brighter, and more simply decorated. Typical of riad rooms, there's no TVs or
telephones, but all have free Wi-Fi, mineral water, bathrobes, and scented toiletries. Also one of the rooms, Mamounia, lacks windows (though this means it remains cool in hot
weather), and there's little privacy in the bathrooms, which are not really separate from the rooms.
Features
Moroccan pancakes on the rooftop terrace and a cooling plunge pool
A typical breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, Moroccan pancakes, and omelets is served either on the rooftop
terrace, around the courtyard's grand dining table, or in the guest rooms, and
it's included in the room rate. The rooftop also provides sunny loungers, and there's a
ground-floor plunge pool for cooling dips. A dinner of Moroccan specialties can also
be arranged (in advance) and enjoyed at a rose-petal-strewn table. The friendly staff is always on hand to help arrange tours, shopping trips, or airport
transfers. While massage treatments can be arranged in-room, the hotel has no
hammam or spa facilities.
