Pros

  • 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
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Cons

  • No hammam or spa
  • Some bathrooms lack privacy
  • One room has no windows (pro in the heat)
  • Location especially difficult to find
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Bottom Line

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. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Riad Lorsya

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. 

See More Scene

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.

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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. 

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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. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Riad Lorsya

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. 

See More Scene

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.

See More Location

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. 

See More 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. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Full Kitchen

  • Golf Course

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Tennis Court

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.