Maisons du Monde Hôtel Marseille Vieux Port, Marseille

Hôtel Marseille Vieux Port is a property within Maisons du Monde, a small French hotel chain with traditional rooms and stylish independent suites. Its prime location puts you right in the city's historic center, just across the street from the port and on the same city block as the Opéra de Marseille. Just keep in mind that this area tends to be busy and a little noisy, and currently, the hotel sits above a McDonald's. Still, it's very walkable, so even La Canebière (a historic high street dotted with shops and cafés), Marseille History Museum, and the city's soap museum are all within a 10-minute walk. You can also reach the Old Charity Center and the charming cobbled neighborhood of Le Panier in just about 15 minutes.

The rooms at Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites are warm, cozy, and trendy, with colorful wallpaper, contemporary decor, and natural textiles. Each room is air-conditioned and soundproofed, though you might want to request a room that doesn't face the port if you prefer ultimate quiet. If you don't mind a little noise seeping in, you can alternatively enjoy views of the port and sea. The rooms each carry a different style based on the villages of Provence, including Saint Rémy, Gordes, Cassis, Lourmarin, and Aubagne. For larger parties, there are spacious family rooms that can accommodate up to five guests and suite apartments (located down the street from the hotel) named after famous characters in Marcel Pagnol's novels.

Each morning, you're invited to enjoy a generous buffet breakfast featuring fresh bread and pastries from the local bakery, homemade granola, and hot beverages. Throughout the day, you can relax in the lounge area, which serves tasty local products. And for fitness enthusiasts, the Fitness Club 53 gym (a 5-minute walk from the hotel) is accessible free of charge to guests, offering weights, machines, and an infrared sauna.