Marseille, FranceLe Pharo
Hotel Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port
Maritime Old Port hotel
Le Pharo Marseille, France
Renovated
2009
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe WellnessOutside the door
The house
AccorMaritime Old Port hotel
The hotel borrows the lines of a private yacht, looking out from the promontory as boats enter the harbor mouth.
“Designed to mimic the style of a lavish yacht, interiors are outfitted with deep-blue carpets and have floor-to-ceiling windows.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Mid-century fortress exterior reimagined by Hertrich and Adnet with wide harbor-facing glass.
Listed
Panoramic gastronomy at Les Trois Forts overlooking Fort Saint-Nicolas and the harbor entrance.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
For this Sofitel is an odd duck, and if you know us, you know that’s praise, not criticism.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Jardins du Pharo sits just down the road, and the sandy cove of Plage des Catalans is a short walk away.
The rooms
Rooms have deep-blue carpets and wooden Venetian blinds, and bathrooms hold hydromassage showers or double soaking tubs.
The spa and pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Turquoise sunbeds border the heated outdoor pool, and treatment rooms inside host Carita scrubs and massages.
The indoor pool
The eight-meter indoor relaxation pool is heated to 30 degrees, looking out across the harbor through floor-to-ceiling glass.
Restaurant
Le Carré Bistromanie
Breakfast and Mediterranean bistro dishes are served out on the terrace, overlooking yachts moored along the marina.
Restaurant
Les Trois Forts
Sylvain Touati's kitchen prepares fish from the Marseille auction, served behind floor-to-ceiling glass on the top floor.
How it began
The hotel shares a fortresslike 1976 structure with its Novotel sibling, though separate entrances keep the two properties distinct.
Marseille
More like this
Hôtel Dieu Intercontinental Marseille
“Neoclassical portside heirloom”
Les Bords De Mer
“Seaside modernist villa”
Hotel nhow Marseille
“Pop-art cliffside hotel”
Hotel Villa M Marseille
“Mediterranean wellness hotel”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.