The oldest city in France and the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône region in Southern France, the unique and vibrant city of Marseille entrances travellers with its historical significance dating back to 600 BC and vibrant culture as one of the most important trading ports on the Mediterranean Sea.
This bustling fishermen’s city is home to many wonders, from historical attractions and the natural harbour of Vieux Port to steamy hot bowls of the famed saffron-flavoured Bouillabaisse fish stew. The best way to explore Marseille on foot is to find a centrally located hotel with easy access to popular beaches and public transportation.
From quirky-chic boutique hotels to trendy upscale resorts and from my trips to this unique and intriguing city here are my favourite cool and unusual hotels in Marseille, France (in no particular order)…
1. Mama Shelter Marseille – an urban, cool and fun hotel perfect for partying Millennials and Gen Zs
Mama Shelteris more than just a hotel; it’s a free-spirited establishment to socialize with locals and travellers at live concerts, ping-pong matches and homemade Mediterranean dinners.
This upbeat hotel features 125 guest rooms furnished with satin cotton bedding, flatscreen TVs, high-speed WiFi and smart appliances.
The Small and Medium rooms are perfect for singles and couples, while the Large and XXL rooms are more spacious with additional amenities to accommodate families and sharers.
The ground-floor restaurant is a lively hub with a stage for live music, a well-stocked bar, an open kitchen and an inventive menu of seasonal Mediterranean fares.
2. Nhow Marseille – a trendy and fun contemporary design hotel with hip features ideal with a youthful and party vibe and a beachfront vacation
Constructed into the rocks on a beautiful Mediterranean bay overlooking the sea, Nhow Marseille offers 150 modern guest rooms, an onsite restaurant, meetings and events space, and an ideal location near the beach.
This seaside retreat offers a wide selection of bedrooms, including standard rooms, premium rooms with sea views, family-friendly suites, penthouses, and sea-facing suites with sprawling terraces.
Guests can lounge by the seafront swimming pool, grab snacks and cocktails from the Tunnel Bar or work out at the state-of-the-art gym.
The onsite spa features two Jacuzzis, a solarium, a Hammam and treatment rooms for massages. The onsite restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with farm-to-table dining.
To book, check prices or availability for Nhow Marseille
3. Hotel Le M – a cute, elegant and charming boutique hotel with a quirky-chic design within walking distance of local popular attractions
Hotel Le offers pet-friendly rooms in the heart of Marseille’s Castellane et Prefecture district, within proximity to Saint-Ferreol Street and the Castellane Metro Station.
This location is fabulous to explore tourist attractions on foot, offering easy access to Le Jardin de la Colline Puget, Le M. Place Castellane and Place aux Huiles.
Guests can browse through a lineup of air-conditioned rooms equipped with plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, in-room appliances, and coffee and tea-making facilities. The hotel features an onsite café and an in-house kitchen that provides room service, and a continental breakfast spread each morning.
The hotel also offers a meeting room/banquet hall, a luggage storage facility, and a 24-hour reception.
To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Le M
4. Les Bords De Mer – a beautiful, sleek and tranquil hotel providing Insta-worthy views overlooking the picturesque Mediterranean sea
A restorative seaside retreat with a subterranean spa, swimming pool, fitness studio, restaurant and easy access to the beach, Les Bords de Mer is situated on the coast, boasting panoramic sea views from all its guest rooms.
The 19 sea-facing rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, minimalist interiors, and ensuite bathrooms with walk-in showers and luxe toiletries from Ren.
The onsite restaurant has an intimate and casual setting with a creative menu of seafood and traditional fares. Guests have access to an indoor pool and a heated pool on the rooftop.
The onsite spa, carved out of the rock face, features a sauna, a Hammam, an indoor pool and treatment areas for massages.
5. Hôtel Maison Montgrand – Vieux Port – a charming, cosy and tranquil boutique hotel offering guests gourmet cuisine made from local produce
Hotel Maison Montgrandoffers a tranquil atmosphere in the heart of the bustling city of Marseille, attracting business and leisure travellers with its central location, state-of-the-art amenities and well-appointed rooms.
The location is ideal to enjoy the best of Marseille’s vibrant neighbourhoods, including the Prefecture, Palais de Justice and Vieux Port.
This boutique hotel features 36 guest rooms inspired by the countryside aesthetic of Southern France. The accommodations offer central air conditioning and heating, TVs with satellite service, and ensuite bathrooms.
The main house features an interior garden, an onsite restaurant and bar, a tea room, and a Mediterranean-themed concept store.
6. Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux Port – MGallery – an elegant, historic and contemporary hotel located in the heart of the Old Port
Drenched in old-world charm and period-style aesthetics, the Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille delights culture and history enthusiasts with its antiquated elegance and ideal location in the heart of the Old Port quarters. The onsite bar, Le Beauvau offers flavorful cocktails and rare wines with a seating area overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
The hotel features 73 Mediterranean-style rooms decorated with Empire furnishings, Napoleon III wardrobes and vintage furniture handpicked from the markets of Provence. The interiors are inspired by 17th-Century designs and play up the tropical sunshine with warm hues and rich drapes.
Guests are served a Provencal-style spread each morning in the breakfast room, offering local produce and panoramic views of the Vieux Port.
7. New Hotel of Marseille – Vieux Port – a design, family-friendly and modern hotel moments away from the city centre and beach
Famous for its onsite restaurant, Qasti Bistrot, the New Hotel of Marseille boasts a spectacular location at the gate of Phocaean bay, right in front of the Palais du Pharo. The Old Port and city centre are a 5-minute stroll away, and guests enjoy easy access to the beach.
Established in a 19th-Century building, this boutique hotel features 100 air-conditioned rooms, including 84 Standard Rooms, 8 Superior Rooms with private terraces, and 8 Suites with private terraces and panoramic views of the old town.
The hotel’s crown jewel is artfully curated Room 2113 – a multifunction bed concept designed by ace French designer Marine Peyre.
8. Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites – Marseille Vieux Port – a trendy, quirky-chic and Instagrammable accommodation perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs
Maisons du Monde Hotel & Suites offer an ideal location to immerse in the historic charms of the Old Port quarters and the nearby neighbourhoods of Belle de Mai and Noailles. Maisons du Monde offers a limited selection of bedrooms and suites, furnished with home-like comforts and high-end amenities.
Travellers can choose accommodations that align with their design preferences and needs. For instance, the Lourmarin Suite is ideal for guests seeking classic interiors with modern amenities, while the Gordes Suite delights serenity seekers.
The Saint Remy Suite plays up soft hues and natural materials, while the deluxe bedroom offers sweeping views of the iconic Ombriere of Marseille.
9. Alex Hotel & Spa – a hip, vibrant and trendy accommodation where guests can experience a rejuvenating stay
Alex Hotel & Spais situated in the bustling centre of Phocaean City, a short stroll away from the Gare Saint Charles and the historical landmarks of Vieux Port. This boutique hotel offers a homely warmth and relaxing ambience with a world-class featuring a Hammam, a swimming pool, a traditional Sauna and massage rooms.
The hotel offers 33 bedrooms, 12 furnished lofts, meeting rooms, a breakfast area and the Lounge Bar 1713. Singles and couples can explore practical spaces with twin or double beds, while families and sharers can opt for the Junior Suite and Suite Prestige Quadruple.
The Good Mother Suite is ideal for travellers seeking ample space and upscale amenities.
10. Maison Juste – a modern, tech-savvy and unique accommodation surrounded by an array of restaurants and cafes
Maison Juste is an aparthotel near Saint-Ferreol Street, offering proximity to the Castellane Metro Station and the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica. This establishment offers individually-owned apartments, guest rooms, a lovely garden, and a lounge to enjoy tea and coffee while connecting with fellow travellers.
The 18 air-conditioned rooms are divided into 4 categories: Simply Fair, Right on the Garden, Just at 3, and Just 4. Each unit is furnished with eco-friendly bedding, king-sized beds, a functional kitchenette, and an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.
The rooms feature locally crafted furniture and handpicked china, and the rooms offer L’Occitane products.
To book, check prices or availability for Maison Juste
11. URBAN LOFT Marseille – a cool and petite accommodation with quirky features in close proximity to the Les Terrasses du Port Shopping Centre
The Urban Loftis 0.3 miles away from Vieux Port, and a stone’s throw away from the St. Charles Station, making it the perfect base for travellers eager to save up on commuting expenses. The hotel offers 11 guest rooms, an onsite spa, a bar and lounging area, and a fitness studio.
The guest rooms are equipped with innumerable facilities, including TVs, ironing facilities, refrigerators, microwaves, soundproof windows, workstations, and private bathrooms. Guests can explore units overlooking the courtyard for pleasant views.
Weary travellers can pamper themselves with a deep-tissue massage at the onsite spa, followed by an indulgent feast on French and European cuisine at the nearby Brasserie Le Grand Escalier.
12. Hotel C2 – a bright, quiet and spacious accommodation featuring a spa and wellness area
Perched 200 meters above the Vieux Port, Hotel C2 is housed in a 19th-Century mansion adorned with historic memorabilia, vintage ornaments and contemporary innovations.
Featuring 20 rooms, an interior garden, and an onsite spa with a pool, this centrally located hotel positions travellers in the heart of the historic quarters, surrounded by art, architecture and history.
The bright and airy rooms are sparsely furnished to play up the earthy elements of white Corian and wood. Guests can find their match from a lineup of Classic Rooms, Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Prestige Rooms and Exclusive Rooms.
Guests can sign up for restorative massage sessions at the onsite spa, and then attend exhibitions and concerts in the spacious living room.
To book, check prices or availability for Hotel C2
13. Le Hammam du Panier – a petite, cosy and stylish B&B well equipped for a great city break
Vacationers seeking independence and privacy with a central location in Vieux Port will find Le Hammam du Panier perfectly suited to their needs. This homely bed and breakfast is right next door to the National Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations and within proximity to the beach.
Le Hammam du Panier offers double rooms with a functional kitchen, a dining area, a seating area and a spacious bedroom. All units are equipped with air conditioning, TVs with satellite service, minibars, soundproofing, washing machines and fine bedding.
The kitchens are ideal for culinary enthusiasts wanting to enjoy home-cooked meals, featuring refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, stovetops and tea and coffee-making equipment.
14. Suite La Discrète – an intimate, private and spacious B&B perfect for a unique couple’s romantic getaway
Suite La Discreteattracts couples and honeymooners to spend their romantic getaways in a beautifully adorned Love Room with access to a swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Designed like an oasis of romance, the room offers an intimate setting with contemporary luxuries and high-end amenities.
This 60-meter-square suite is the largest accommodation in Marseille, featuring ambient LED lighting, a Jacuzzi with a TV screen, a four-poster bed and cosy bedding with in-room TV and appliances. Guests have unrestricted access to a lovely garden with deck chairs and a heated swimming pool.
Travellers can request a homemade breakfast spread and cocktails by the pool.
15. Les Petits Pavillons – Maison Mars – a stylish, bright and upscale accommodation in a location ideal for exploring the city
Situated on the 4th Arrondissement near the Saint-Barnabe District, Les Petits Pavillon is a first-floor apartment in a luxury aparthotel, Maison Mars. This ideally located vacation rental is perfect for sightseeing on foot, offering proximity to the historic quarters of Panier, the Calanques of Marseille and the Canebiere.
The apartment features an airy living room, a bedroom, an ensuite bathroom and a well-equipped kitchen. Guests have access to all amenities and appliances needed to feel right at home, from luxurious bedding and fine linens to cookware, kitchenware and flatscreen HD TVs with Netflix and high-speed WiFi.
The venue also provides daily cleaning services and 24-hour concierge services.
16. Résidence Kley – an eco-friendly, unique and vibrant accommodation providing guests with on-site water sports facilities, a fitness centre and tennis court
A student residence located in Phocaean City, Residence Kley offers proximity to the city centre, the University of Aix-Marseille, and the Saint-Charles Train Station.
This bohemian-chic venue offers digitally-savvy living and coworking spaces, inviting students and travellers to live, work, and play in comfortably appointed settings.
Residence Kley features an extensive selection of independent apartments, ranging from studios and one-bedroom residences to 250-square-meter shared units with sprawling terraces.
The Kocoon is a well-equipped studio unit featuring a corner office, a sleeping area, an ensuite bathroom, and a kitchen.
The Kocoon XL offers more space with a separate bedroom, a corner office, a salon, and a state-of-the-art kitchen.
To book, check prices or availability for Residence Kley
Scott started his travelling life back in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with just a backpack, a camera and a spirit for adventure. After that, the travel bug bit hard and now he is always seeking to head off somewhere new. Over the years he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Ireland, UK and the US but his spiritual home will always be Rome as this is the city which most satisfies his unrelenting craving for culture, good food and great football. Scott loves nothing better than to be behind the camera and also runs his own blog and Instagram page. He also counts Melbourne, Cape Town and Tel Aviv among his favourite places. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @scottbalaam
