The Novotel sits on the Boulevard Charles Livon in the 7th arrondissement, on the high ground just above the entrance to the Vieux-Port, where the Palais du Pharo, Fort Saint-Nicolas and the little Catalan beach are all within a few minutes on foot. It is a modern, practical hotel with 110 rooms, and it feels calmer than the busy quays of the Old Port itself, while still putting you within reach of the main sights. The rooms have free in-room Wi-Fi and the standard comforts of the brand, and the hotel adds a hair salon, laundry and dry-cleaning service, luggage storage and meeting rooms for those travelling for work. The restaurant, Magâté, serves French cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there is a coffee shop, a terrace and a poolside bar for something lighter. The seasonal outdoor pool is the main draw in warm weather, and it keeps daytime hours, which makes it a pleasant place to come back to after a morning on the Corniche. A gym is among the listed amenities, and the hotel holds a Green Key certification for its environmental practices. Pets are welcome for a nightly fee, which is unusual enough in central Marseille to be worth knowing about if you are travelling with a dog.
Location and getting around
The hotel is in the 7th arrondissement, on the Boulevard Charles Livon, on the south side of the harbour entrance. Fort Saint-Nicolas is about two minutes away on foot, the Pharo Palace about three and the Catalan beach about five. The Vallon des Auffes, the tiny fishing harbour under the road bridge, is roughly a 13-minute walk, and the long seafront promenade of the Corniche is a little further on.
Vieux-Port metro station is around 16 minutes away on foot, so many guests use the hotel as a base for walking in the morning and taking a bus or a taxi back up the hill in the evening. The airport is about 21 minutes away by car, and Arenc Euroméditerranée station is a short drive.
Rooms and facilities
The rooms are modern and air-conditioned, and the better ones look toward the sea or the city, so ask for a view when you book if it matters to you. Breakfast is available as a buffet for an extra charge unless your rate includes it.
Self-parking is available for a nightly charge, which is useful if you plan to drive out to the Calanques or Cassis, although central Marseille is easier without a car. Luggage storage is handy for the day you check out and still want to explore before an evening train.
Good to know
Check-in is from the afternoon and check-out is at 11:00, with a late check-out available for a fee when the hotel has space. The outdoor pool is seasonal and is normally closed from the end of October until mid-April, so do not count on swimming in winter. The hotel suits first-time visitors who prefer a quieter address near the sea, families who want a pool in summer, and business travellers who want reliable services.
If you want to be in the middle of the evening bustle of the Old Port, a hotel on the quays will put you closer; if you would rather walk to the Catalan beach and the Corniche for a swim or a sunset, this is a good base.
Why stay here
- ✓Seasonal outdoor pool
- ✓Magâté restaurant
- ✓Poolside bar and terrace
- ✓Coffee shop
- ✓Gym
- ✓Free Wi-Fi and air conditioning
- ✓Luggage storage
- ✓Pet-friendly
Good questions
Where is the Novotel Marseille Vieux Port?+
It is at 36 Boulevard Charles Livon in the 7th arrondissement, just above the harbour entrance. Fort Saint-Nicolas is about two minutes away on foot and the Catalan beach about five.
Does the hotel have a pool?+
Yes, there is an outdoor pool with a poolside bar, but it is seasonal and normally closed from the end of October to mid-April.
How far is it from the Vieux-Port metro and the airport?+
Vieux-Port metro station is about 16 minutes on foot, and Marseille Provence Airport is roughly 21 minutes by car.
