Riad Norma

The Riad’s decor and atmosphere are stunning, and the staff were great, friendly, and helpful. The room we got, though, was really uncomfortable. The beds were a floor below the bathroom, so in the middle of the night you had to go upstairs to use the toilet. The tub was high and awkward to climb over. There was no shower curtain, so water went everywhere, and sitting on the “chair” in the tub to shower felt awkward too. The bathroom also had a constant bad smell.

The room may have been an exception, since the other rooms likely don’t have the same issues, which is why my rating is below average. The building’s architecture is exquisite and spectacular, and most of the staff were great, though one seemed as if they’d been there too long. There clearly isn’t much managerial oversight anymore. Our bathroom smelled bad, so we had to leave the window open all day. A towel over the source of the smell helped somewhat but didn’t cover it completely. With no shower curtain, the bathroom got wet. The AC vent was taped in a position that blew straight onto the beds and didn’t swing, so we couldn’t use it much because the air was too cold directly on us. Several things weren’t mechanically acceptable, including the safe, which didn’t work.

We can’t wait to see the city. What an arrival. The pool area is gorgeous, and late afternoon by the pool is perfect. This quiet, gorgeous riad feels like a petite mansion. The service from the proprietress Monique and her terrific lead Younis was the best we’ve experienced here, with a top-drawer staff all around.

The rooms are roomy and elegant, and breakfast was delicious. Every decoration and small detail gives the riad a homey feel. It’s even more beautiful in person than the pictures suggest, and Monique and the rest of the staff made us feel very welcome.