2 place Gabriel Péri, 13001 Marseille

New Hotel Le Quai - Vieux Port

Name: New Hotel Le Quai - Vieux Port
Address: 2 place Gabriel Péri, Marseille, 13001, FR
Price range: 123 EUR
Rating: 4.15

Hotel 4-star in Marseille

Presentation

The New Hotel Le Quai faces Marseille’s Old Port, right at the bottom of the Canebière. The view is there as soon as you step onto the sidewalk: boats lined up along the quay, Norman Foster’s Ombrière closing off the square a little farther on. The façade, meanwhile, dates from 1800. Large picture windows bear golden letters, hand-painted by Etienne Renard.

The address belongs to the Antoun family. Georges Antoun left Lebanon for Marseille and founded the New Hôtel group more than fifty years ago. Today, it is his daughters, Camille and Caroline, who run the place. It was under their direction that the hotel was renovated, between 2018 and 2019, with a décor blending colonial influences and Mediterranean touches.

On the ground floor, your eye is drawn first to the cement tiles on the floor, then to the breakfast room, just behind reception. During the day, retractable mineral-effect panels conceal the buffet. Service runs until 11 a.m., with an extra charge for adults (free before age 3, reduced rate up to age 11). Enough to keep the freedom to head out for a coffee on the terrace in the neighborhood, for those who prefer to start the day outside.

Upstairs, a small lounge awaits with a leather sofa, a library, a computer and a printer available. Higher up, a glass elevator serves the hotel’s six floors. The hotel has 48 rooms, divided into three categories: 18m2 standard rooms, 25m2 superior rooms, and 30m2 Luxe rooms, the latter two with bathtubs. The furniture comes from Ligne Roset. The headboards are made of jute rugs, a tropical-wood ceiling fan turns overhead, and the bathroom is decorated with zellige tiles. In each room, an address book gathers the owners’ favorite local spots in the neighborhood.

All rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed. Safe, minibar, and a complimentary bottle of water on arrival. There is no private parking on site; the hotel faces a pedestrian square, but a partnership with the Vinci Charles de Gaulle parking lot allows guests to park at a preferential rate, and the public Centre Bourse parking garage is 200 meters away. For dropping off luggage by car, taxis stop on Rue de Bir Hakeim, about a hundred meters from the entrance.

Outside, the Panier district begins just a few minutes’ walk away, made famous by the series Plus Belle la Vie. La Vieille Charité, Saint-Victor Abbey and Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde are all within walking distance, as are the MUCEM and the Palais du Pharo. For business, the Marseille Chamber of Commerce is right next door, and Parc Chanot with its Convention Center is ten minutes away by metro. The Vieux-Port-Hôtel de Ville station is opposite the hotel, and the Belsunce-Alcazar tram stop is 300 meters away.

In the evening, several restaurants are just a stone’s throw away, including Chez Fonfon, Au Bout du Quai and Le Miramar.

A tip for night owls: ask for a courtyard-facing room if you go to bed early, as the Canebière stays lively for much of the evening.

Summary of a few positive reviews read on the Web

Quiet room, one street away from the main thoroughfare. You can still walk everywhere, but without the evening noise on the Canebière.
Bathroom clearly renovated, room spotless on arrival. Small fridge handy for keeping a bottle of water cool.
Arrived late in the morning, and the room was already ready. The receptionist took the time to answer in French, which makes a difference.
Breakfast served in the room on request, nicely presented tray. L'Occitane toiletries in the bathroom, a nice extra touch.
The entrance opens onto a pedestrian square, so there is no drop-off point right outside. Taxis stop on Rue de Bir Hakeim, about a hundred meters away, which is still easy.