52 corniche Kennedy, 13007 Marseille

Les Bords de Mer

Name: Les Bords de Mer
Address: 52 corniche Kennedy, Marseille, 13007, FR
Price range: 237 EUR
Rating: 4.55

Hotel-restaurant 4-star with pool and spa in Marseille

Presentation

Les Bords de Mer, in Marseille, is located right at the far end of Catalans Beach, where the Corniche begins to follow the rock rather than the asphalt. You almost arrive by surprise: the entrance runs straight through the building, and already, at the end of the corridor, the sea fills the entire frame.

The ground floor sets the tone. A photograph by Berni Searle dresses the reception area, and a few drawings by Jonathan Callan appear further along the corridors. Nothing is garish. You can feel it is a collection designed room by room rather than a decor ordered as a single block.

In the rooms, pastel colors and light wood evoke the 1950s without really copying them. There are nineteen of them, all facing the water. Some, on the lower floors, remain modest in size; you especially feel it if you plan to work there or place two open suitcases at the same time. But the picture window more than makes up for it: when you wake up, you draw the curtain and the entire harbor unfolds, breakwaters, the Frioul islands, sometimes a fishing boat returning with its flock of gulls.

At breakfast, you find well-made avocado toast and an abundant buffet, served in the dining room or, on request, directly on the balcony.

In the middle of the day, the heat tends to draw you up to the rooftop. The heated pool awaits there, surrounded by a solarium overlooking Château d’If. In the evening, the bar serves cocktails by Maison Ferroni, with scents of lavender and Provence, to be enjoyed with your eyes fixed on the open sea. One thing to note, however: the proximity of the coastal road and the liveliness of the seafront can sometimes be felt in the evening, especially from the panoramic terrace on fine days. Nothing dramatic, but it is worth knowing before booking a room facing the street rather than the sea.

The restaurant is set just above water level, with around forty covers facing the islands. The menu, updated several times a year, blends Provençal terroir with influences from elsewhere: marinated ceviche, lemongrass chicken, simply prepared seafood. In winter, the weekend sea urchin feasts also attract both hotel guests and locals from the neighborhood.

As you head down toward the spa, the atmosphere changes again. Light stone, subdued lighting, a relaxation pool, and treatment protocols that change with the seasons of the house. Access is designed for people with reduced mobility, a point rare enough to be worth mentioning.

The Old Port can be reached on foot in five minutes, the Calanques in twenty by car. Between the two, Catalans Beach is literally within arm’s reach.

One last tip: ask for your coffee in the dining room around 8 a.m. rather than on the balcony; service is faster there before the main breakfast rush.Here is the requested section.

Summary of a few positive reviews read on the Web

Reception was top-notch. The woman who welcomed us, Julie I think, was smiling and found us a room earlier than expected without us asking for anything.
Room small for two open suitcases, but the view from the bed more than makes up for it. You can see the sea as soon as you wake up, no need to get up.
Generous breakfast, good avocado toast, varied buffet. Service was decent even if a bit busy in the morning.
Great view from the terrace but a bit of noise in the evening coming from the road below. Nothing blocking, just something to know before booking.
Access designed for people with reduced mobility, spa and restaurant included. Rare at this level of quality, worth noting.
Perfect location, five minutes on foot from the Old Port and right by Catalans Beach. You quickly forget you are in the middle of the city.