Marseille's Mediterranean Majesty: A Guide to the City's Most Spectacular Luxury Hotels
Marseille's Mediterranean Majesty: A Guide to the City's Most Spectacular Luxury Hotels
Marseille
Welcome to Marseille, the vibrant, ancient port city and the heart of Provence. As France’s oldest city, Marseille is a captivating blend of gritty energy, historic charm, and stunning natural beauty, from the Calanques national park to the bustling Old Port. This guide to the best luxury hotels in Marseille reveals the city’s most spectacular and stylish stays.
Welcome to Marseille: The Ancient Heart of Provence
Welcome to Marseille, the vibrant, gritty, and deeply historic port city that is the true heart of beautiful Provence. As the oldest city in France, Marseille is a captivating and dynamic blend of raw, urban energy, profound historic charm, and absolutely stunning natural beauty. From the spectacular and wild Calanques national park on its doorstep to the bustling and historic Old Port (Vieux Port) at its center, this comprehensive guide to the best luxury hotels in Marseille will reveal the city’s most spectacular, stylish, and serene stays for an unforgettable Mediterranean journey.
1. InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu
The Place: Unquestionably the most magnificent and grand hotel in Marseille, this spectacular property is housed in the city’s former 18th-century hospital, overlooking the Vieux Port. The hotel is a masterpiece of historic restoration and contemporary design. It is celebrated for its magnificent terrace, its luxurious Clarins spa, and its breathtaking, panoramic city views.
My Top Pick: Enjoying a classic pastis on the hotel’s magnificent main terrace, which offers the most spectacular, panoramic views of the Vieux Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde.
1. InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu: A Monumental Masterpiece
The Place: Unquestionably the most magnificent and grand hotel in all of Marseille, this spectacular property is housed in the city’s magnificent and former 18th-century hospital (the ‘Hôtel Dieu’), which majestically overlooks the iconic Vieux Port. The hotel is a true masterpiece of historic restoration and sophisticated contemporary design. It is celebrated for its magnificent and expansive main terrace, its luxurious and serene Clarins spa, and its absolutely breathtaking, sweeping panoramic views of the city’s most famous landmarks.
My Top Pick: Enjoying a classic pastis or a glass of crisp rosé on the hotel’s magnificent and grand main terrace, which offers the most spectacular, direct, and panoramic views of the bustling Vieux Port and the iconic Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica on the hill.
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2. Le Petit Nice – Passedat
The Place: An exclusive and intimate Relais & Châteaux property, this hotel is a true temple of gastronomy, perched on a cliff directly overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel is most famous for its legendary, three-Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Gérald Passedat. It offers a serene and luxurious experience with breathtaking, direct sea views and a beautiful saltwater pool.
My Top Pick: The unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant, which offers incredible cuisine and spectacular, panoramic views of the sea.
2. Le Petit Nice – Passedat: A Temple of Gastronomy
The Place: An exclusive and deeply intimate Relais & Châteaux property, this unique hotel is a true temple of gastronomy, spectacularly perched on a cliff that directly overlooks the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. The hotel is most famous for its legendary, three-Michelin-starred restaurant by the celebrated chef Gérald Passedat, which is a destination in itself. It offers a serene and deeply luxurious experience with breathtaking, direct sea views from every room and a beautiful, heated saltwater swimming pool.
My Top Pick: The unforgettable and truly once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining at the magnificent, three-Michelin-starred restaurant is the main draw. It offers incredible, inventive cuisine based on the local seafood, complemented by spectacular, panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
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3. Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port
The Place: A modern and luxurious hotel with one of the most spectacular locations in the city, situated at the entrance to the Vieux Port. The hotel is renowned for its breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire old port and the historic city skyline. It offers a sophisticated and deeply comfortable experience with a focus on wellness.
My Top Pick: The magnificent Dantès Skylounge, the hotel’s spectacular rooftop bar, offers what are arguably the best panoramic views of the entire Vieux Port.
3. Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port: The Ultimate Port Panorama
The Place: A modern and deeply luxurious hotel, the Sofitel enjoys one of the most spectacular and privileged locations in the entire city, perfectly situated at the entrance to the historic Vieux Port. The hotel is renowned and celebrated for its breathtaking, completely panoramic views of the entire old port, the historic city skyline, and the magnificent Fort Saint-Jean. It offers a sophisticated and deeply comfortable experience with a strong focus on wellness and gastronomy for its many guests.
My Top Pick: The magnificent Dantès Skylounge, the hotel’s spectacular and chic rooftop bar, is a true city hotspot. It offers what are arguably the best, most dramatic, and most complete panoramic views of the entire Vieux Port, especially at night.
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4. nHow Marseille
The Place: A vibrant and contemporary design hotel with a spectacular and unique location, carved into a cliff directly on the Corniche waterfront. The hotel is a hub of art and design, known for its bold, colorful interiors, its magnificent swimming pool, and its stunning, direct sea views. It offers a fresh and energetic luxury experience.
My Top Pick: The magnificent outdoor swimming pool, which is located on a terrace that seems to float just above the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, is truly spectacular.
4. nHow Marseille: A Bold Splash of Design on the Corniche
The Place: A vibrant and highly contemporary design hotel, the nHow Marseille boasts a spectacular and unique location, as it is cleverly carved into a rocky cliff directly on the beautiful Corniche waterfront. The hotel is a true hub of modern art and design, known for its bold, colorful, and often playful interiors, its magnificent swimming pool, and its stunning, direct, and uninterrupted sea views. It offers a fresh, modern, and energetic luxury experience for all of its guests.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and large outdoor swimming pool is a true showstopper. It is located on a beautiful sun terrace that seems to float just above the beautiful and sparkling Mediterranean Sea, creating a truly spectacular and unique setting.
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5. C2 Hôtel
The Place: A chic and incredibly stylish boutique hotel housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion in the heart of the city. The hotel masterfully blends its original historic features with a sophisticated, contemporary, and minimalist design. It is known for its beautiful spa, its serene atmosphere, and its unique private beach, accessible by boat.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s unique and exclusive private beach, located on the beautiful Degaby island, is accessible via the hotel’s private boat for an unforgettable experience.</p
5. C2 Hôtel: A Historic Mansion with a Private Island
The Place: A chic and incredibly stylish boutique hotel, the C2 is housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion in the heart of the city, near the Old Port. The hotel masterfully and seamlessly blends its magnificent original historic features, such as marble fireplaces and ceiling frescoes, with a sophisticated, contemporary, and minimalist interior design. It is known for its beautiful and serene subterranean spa, its peaceful atmosphere, and its unique private beach, which is accessible by the hotel’s boat.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s unique and incredibly exclusive private beach, which is located on the beautiful and pristine Degaby island in the bay, is accessible only via the hotel’s private boat. This offers guests a truly unforgettable and exclusive seaside experience.
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6. Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux-Port
The Place: A charming and iconic hotel with an unbeatable location directly on the quay of the historic Vieux Port. This hotel is celebrated for its vibrant, 1950s retro-chic design and for the fact that every single one of its rooms offers a private balcony with a breathtaking, direct view of the port and Notre-Dame de la Garde.
My Top Pick: The magnificent, direct, and postcard-perfect view of the Vieux Port and the basilica from the private balcony of your beautifully designed room.
6. Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux-Port: A Room with the Perfect View
The Place: A charming and iconic hotel, La Résidence enjoys an absolutely unbeatable and privileged location directly on the sunny quay of the historic and bustling Vieux Port. This beautiful hotel is celebrated for its vibrant, cheerful, and distinctive 1950s retro-chic design. Most notably, every single one of its rooms offers a private balcony with a breathtaking, direct, and postcard-perfect view of the port and the magnificent Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica on the hill opposite.
My Top Pick: The magnificent, direct, and truly postcard-perfect view of the entire Vieux Port, with its forest of masts, and the beautiful basilica on the hill from the private balcony of your beautifully designed and colorful room is simply unbeatable.
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7. Golden Tulip Villa Massalia
The Place: A modern and spacious resort-style hotel located in a quieter residential area, near the Prado beaches and the Borély park. The hotel is known for its magnificent and very large outdoor swimming pool, its extensive spa facilities, and its serene, relaxing atmosphere. It offers a tranquil and comfortable escape from the bustling city center for its guests.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and exceptionally large outdoor swimming pool, which is surrounded by a beautiful and spacious sun terrace, is a true urban oasis.
7. Golden Tulip Villa Massalia: A Tranquil Resort Escape
The Place: A modern and very spacious resort-style hotel, the Golden Tulip Villa Massalia is located in a quieter, upscale residential area of the city, near the beautiful Prado beaches and the expansive Borély park. The hotel is known for its magnificent and very large outdoor swimming pool, its extensive and relaxing spa facilities, and its serene, deeply relaxing atmosphere. It offers a tranquil and comfortable escape from the bustling and often chaotic city center for its guests.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and exceptionally large outdoor swimming pool, which is surrounded by a beautiful and very spacious sun terrace with comfortable loungers and a poolside bar, is a true and undisputed urban oasis in the city.
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8. Tuba Club
The Place: A chic and incredibly trendy new boutique hotel and beach club housed in a former 1960s diving school in the charming fishing village of Les Goudes. This hotel is a true hidden gem, offering a rustic-chic, bohemian atmosphere with a focus on simple pleasures. It provides direct access to the sea from its beautiful sun terraces.
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My Top Pick: The incredible experience of enjoying fresh, delicious seafood and a glass of rosé on the hotel’s beautiful, sun-drenched restaurant terraces over the water.
8. Tuba Club: A Bohemian Paradise in Les Goudes
The Place: A chic and incredibly trendy new boutique hotel and beach club, Tuba is housed in a former 1960s diving school in the charming and remote fishing village of Les Goudes, at the gateway to the Calanques. This hotel is a true hidden gem, offering a rustic-chic, laid-back, and bohemian atmosphere with a strong focus on simple pleasures, great food, and a connection to the sea. It provides direct swimming access from its beautiful sun terraces.
My Top Pick: The incredible and deeply authentic experience of enjoying delicious, fresh, and locally sourced seafood and a cold glass of rosé on the hotel’s beautiful, sun-drenched, multi-level restaurant terraces that are perched right over the crystal-clear water.
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9. Alex Hotel & Spa
The Place: A stylish and contemporary boutique hotel with a very convenient location in the heart of the city, right next to the main Saint-Charles train station. The hotel is known for its chic, modern design, its beautiful and serene wellness spa, and its warm, welcoming hospitality. It provides a sophisticated and practical urban retreat for visitors.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s beautiful and serene private spa, which can be booked for exclusive use, offers a perfect and intimate escape for ultimate relaxation.
9. Alex Hotel & Spa: A Stylish Urban Retreat
The Place: A stylish and highly contemporary boutique hotel, the Alex Hotel enjoys a very convenient location in the heart of the city, right next to the main Saint-Charles train station. The hotel is known for its chic, modern interior design, its beautiful and serene private wellness spa, and its exceptionally warm, welcoming, and friendly hospitality. It provides a sophisticated and highly practical urban retreat for visitors who are arriving in the city by train.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s beautiful and serene private spa, which can be booked for exclusive and private use by guests, features a sauna and a jacuzzi. It offers a perfect and deeply intimate escape for ultimate relaxation and tranquility.
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10. Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites – Marseille Vieux Port
The Place: A stylish and contemporary hotel with a fantastic location directly on the historic Vieux Port. The hotel, from the famous French furniture brand, features beautifully and individually designed rooms that showcase five different decorative styles. It offers a chic, comfortable, and highly atmospheric home-away-from-home experience for every one of its guests to enjoy.
My Top Pick: The unique and beautifully executed interior design, which makes you feel like you are staying in a stylish, perfectly curated apartment from a magazine.
10. Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites – Marseille Vieux Port: A Home of Global Style
The Place: A stylish and contemporary hotel that enjoys a fantastic and highly sought-after location directly on the historic Vieux Port. The hotel, which is from the famous and popular French furniture and home decor brand, Maisons du Monde, features beautifully and individually designed rooms that each showcase one of five different and distinct decorative styles, from classic to contemporary. It offers a chic, comfortable, and highly atmospheric home-away-from-home experience for every one of its guests.
My Top Pick: The unique and beautifully executed interior design is the true highlight of the hotel. It makes you feel like you are staying in a stylish, perfectly curated, and incredibly comfortable apartment from the pages of a design magazine.
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Bonus: Hôtel Les Roches Blanches
Located in the stunningly beautiful nearby fishing port of Cassis, this legendary and beautifully restored 1920s hotel is a true icon of the French Riviera. Perched on the white cliffs, it offers two spectacular swimming pools, breathtaking sea views of the Cap Canaille, and direct sea access, providing the ultimate in sophisticated and timeless seaside glamour.
Bonus: Hôtel Les Roches Blanches, Cassis: A Riviera Icon Reborn
The Place: Located in the stunningly beautiful and picturesque nearby fishing port of Cassis, this legendary and beautifully restored 1920s Art Deco hotel is a true and undisputed icon of the French Riviera. The hotel is spectacularly perched on the white cliffs and offers two magnificent swimming pools (including a natural seawater pool), breathtaking, direct sea views of the magnificent Cap Canaille, and direct sea access. It provides the ultimate in sophisticated and timeless seaside glamour.
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Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Marseille for your trip:
- For ultimate historic grandeur and port views: The magnificent InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu is in a class of its own.
- For an exclusive gastronomic and seaside retreat: The three-Michelin-starred Le Petit Nice – Passedat is a world-class destination.
- For the best panoramic Vieux Port views: The spectacular rooftop bar at the Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port is simply unbeatable.
- For a unique, bohemian-chic escape: The trendy and secluded Tuba Club in Les Goudes offers an authentic and stylish experience.
Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Marseille for your trip:
- For ultimate historic grandeur and port views: The magnificent and truly spectacular InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu is in a class of its own and offers an unforgettable, world-class experience.
- For an exclusive gastronomic and seaside retreat: The three-Michelin-starred Le Petit Nice – Passedat is a true global destination for discerning food lovers who appreciate breathtaking sea views.
- For the best panoramic Vieux Port views: The spectacular and chic rooftop bar at the Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port is simply unbeatable for its sweeping, panoramic vistas of the entire old port.
- For a unique, bohemian-chic escape: The trendy and beautifully secluded Tuba Club, located in the charming fishing village of Les Goudes, offers an authentic and incredibly stylish seaside experience.
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Travel Guides: Marseille, France
A stay at a luxury hotel is the perfect start to your Marseille adventure. To make the most of your trip, here is a travel guide that complements the article on luxury hotels in Marseille.
1. Best Time to Visit Marseille
- Late Spring (May-June) & Early Autumn (September): These are the absolute best times to visit Marseille. The weather is warm and sunny, which is perfect for exploring both the vibrant city and the magnificent and rugged Calanques National Park.
- Summer (July-August): This is the peak tourist season, with hot weather and a vibrant, bustling atmosphere throughout the city. It is the perfect time for a coastal holiday focused on swimming and boating.
- Winter (November-February): The weather is milder than in northern Europe and often sunny, though it can be windy. It’s a great time to explore the city’s many museums with fewer crowds.
1. When to Go?
- Late Spring (May-June) & Early Autumn (September): These are the best times to visit, with warm, sunny weather perfect for exploring the city and the Calanques.
- Summer (July-August): The peak season, with hot weather and a vibrant, bustling atmosphere, perfect for a coastal holiday.
2. Getting Around Marseille
- Walking: The historic areas of the Vieux Port (Old Port), the charming Le Panier district, and the main city center are all best and most enjoyably explored on foot.
- Metro and Trams: An efficient and modern public transport system, consisting of a metro, trams, and buses, is great for reaching areas further afield, such as the beaches or the main train station.
- Ferries: Regular and scenic ferries run from the Vieux Port to the beautiful Frioul Islands and the historic Château d’If, making for a perfect and easy day trip on the water.
2. Getting Around Marseille
- Walking: The Vieux Port, Le Panier, and the main city center are all best explored on foot.
- Metro and Trams: An efficient public transport system is great for reaching areas like the beaches or the main train station.
- Ferries: Regular ferries run from the Vieux Port to the Frioul Islands and the Château d’If.
3. Must-See Sights
- Vieux Port (Old Port): The historic and incredibly vibrant heart of the city for over 2,600 years. It is lined with boats, cafes, and restaurants, and features a spectacular, modern mirrored sunshade by Norman Foster.
- Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde: The magnificent and iconic basilica that sits atop the city’s highest hill, offering breathtaking, 360-degree panoramic views of the entire city, the sea, and the surrounding mountains.
- Le Panier: The city’s oldest and most charming neighborhood. Get lost in its labyrinth of narrow, colorful streets, which are filled with artisan shops, independent boutiques, and hidden squares.
- Calanques National Park: A spectacular and protected area of stunning, fjord-like coastal inlets with dramatic limestone cliffs and beautiful, turquoise water. It is accessible by boat tours from the Vieux Port or by hiking.
3. Must-See Sights
- Vieux Port (Old Port): The historic and vibrant heart of the city, lined with boats, cafes, and restaurants.
- Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde: The magnificent basilica that sits atop the city’s highest hill, offering breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views.
- Le Panier: The city’s oldest and most charming neighborhood, a labyrinth of narrow, colorful streets, artisan shops, and hidden squares.
- Calanques National Park: A spectacular area of stunning, fjord-like coastal inlets with turquoise water, accessible by boat or hiking.
4. Unique Experiences
- Eat a Bouillabaisse: You absolutely must try the city’s most famous and historic culinary dish. For an authentic experience, try the traditional Provençal fish stew at a reputable restaurant in the Vallon des Auffes.
- Visit the MuCEM: Explore the magnificent and architecturally stunning Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, which is located on the waterfront at the entrance to the port.
- Explore the Cours Julien: Discover the city’s vibrant and bohemian neighborhood, which is famous for its incredible and colorful street art, its independent and vintage boutiques, and its many lively bars and music venues.
- Take a Boat to the Château d’If: Visit the famous and imposing island fortress that was the real-life setting for the classic and much-loved adventure novel, ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ by Alexandre Dumas.
4. Unique Experiences
- Eat a Bouillabaisse: You must try the city’s most famous and historic dish, the traditional Provençal fish stew.
- Visit the MuCEM: Explore the magnificent Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, an architectural masterpiece on the waterfront.
- Explore the Cours Julien: Discover the city’s vibrant and bohemian neighborhood, famous for its incredible street art, independent boutiques, and lively bars.
- Take a Boat to the Château d’If: Visit the famous island fortress that was the setting for the classic novel ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’.
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