Where to Stay

Marseille was built along the shores of the historical Vieux-Port and La Canebière, the road which separates the North and South of the town. Apart from the standard chain hotels, there is a choice of luxury accommodation and budget lodging.

Le Vieux-Port

The Vieux Port area is the best place to stay if you want to enjoy the nightlife, take in some entertainment and dine in some of the city's best restaurants. The Mercure Beauvau overlooking the sea, the Sofitel Vieux-Port (where you can combine gastronomic cuisine with a panoramic view), the Hôtel Alize and the Residence du Vieux-Port are comfortable hotels with a lot of character and the added advantage of a great view of Marseille from high up.

La Canebière

A little further away, along and around La Canebière, try the Mercure Eurocentre or the Rome et Saint Pierre if you want to be in the center of a bustling area.

La Corniche

If you like the sea, you should go to Corniche Kennedy and stay at the Petit Nice which is a Relais et Châteaux hotel in Marseille and is recommended for its charm and gourmet restaurant. For beautiful views of the sea there are great choices like the New Hôtel Bompard.

Downtown

Fortunately, the busiest shopping areas during the day are quiet at night, so if you want good accommodation in the town center, go to the Saint-Ferreol or the Edmond Rostand. This area tends to attract business travelers and luxury hotel chains such as the Mercure Prado, the Holiday Inn and the Hotel Kyriad, are abundant.

Gare Saint-Charles

Near Gare Saint-Charles, there are several cheaper hotels for tourists that are just passing through. The Ibis Saint-Charles is reasonably modern and comfortable and very close to La Canebière.

There are also two excellent youth hostels in Marseille which are totally different in terms of architecture and location. The one in Bois-Luzy is in the north of the town, housed in a 19th-century castle and the other is in Bonneveine, on the sea front.

There are many hotels in the suburbs or along the main routes into Marseille. They are reasonably comfortable and tend to have rates less than those right in the city. These hotels can often fill up quickly so it is wise to book as far in advance as possible.