Hôtel Dieu — Marseille, France

The landscape of France’s second city Marseilles, woefully devoid of luxury hotels, has just received an update with the arrival of the new InterContinental, housed in a magnificent 18th-century building overlooking the city’s old port. A onetime hospital, with a long and varied history dating back to 1166, the building is blessed with sweeping staircases, grand arched windows and elegant vaulted ceilings appointed by the designer, nephew of celebrated Baroque architect Jules Hardouin Mansart. Along with the original name (which translates to Hotel of God), the hotelier retained the building's features, which have been lovingly restored by Parisian architect Anthony Béchu. Jean-Philippe Nuel designed an emphatically modern interior with a standout monochrome marine-themed reception area and a lounge with striking black-and-white stonework on the floor and walls. There are 172 rooms and suites in all (the majority with sea views and private terraces) and facilities including a Clarins spa, indoor pool and glamorous brasserie and bar, which spills out onto a sun-drenched patio. Come September, serious gourmets will have the option of a second restaurant, the 40-seat brasserie run by Michelin-starred chef and longtime Marseille resident Lionel Levy.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
1 Place Daviel
Marseille
France
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Lauren Ho is the Travel Director of Wallpaper*, roaming the globe, writing extensively about luxury travel, architecture and design for both the magazine and the website. Lauren serves as the European Academy Chair for the World's 50 Best Hotels.
-
The Sinclair name is back, attached to a pocket-sized games console with an educational edge
Grant Sinclair’s name is freighted with early computing history. Wallpaper* tapped up the British inventor to find out more about his new GamerCard console and other innovation
-
Beloved sushi restaurant Sōgo Roll Bar comes to Highland Park
The sushi hangout begins a new chapter in its second location, becoming the perfect spot for a quick grab-and-go or a relaxed tasting experience in east LA
-
Japanese designer Shinichiro Ogata's latest venture is a modern riff on the traditions of his home country
As he launches Saboe, a series of new tearooms and shops across Japan, we delve into Shinichiro Ogata's creative vision, mirrored throughout the spaces and objects, rituals and moments of his projects
-
The most stylish hotel takeovers to pop up at this summer
From Capri to Ibiza, luxury fashion brands are taking over seaside resorts with exclusive boutique pop-ups and bespoke poolside accessories
-
Tour Eurostar’s sleek new lounges in Paris and Brussels
London-based Chris Bagot Architects has designed a stylish environment in which to work or unwind prior to high-speed rail travel
-
Taste a Louis Vuitton summer in sun-drenched Saint-Tropez
The Arnaud Donckele & Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton restaurant returns to the White 1921 Saint-Tropez hotel for its third edition, now with a Michelin star
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Experimental Marais: a lush homecoming for the hospitality force
Experimental Group returns to its Parisian roots, where it opened its founding bar, to launch its first-ever flagship hotel, designed by Tristan Auer
-
Bon appétit! These are the best restaurants in Paris
Experience haute cuisine at the best restaurants Paris has to offer, from a vegetable-centric menu at Arpège to alchemical cuisine at Plénitude
-
Sun-soaked European destinations to visit in spring
Dreaming of Florentine palazzos and Greek islands now that the weather is starting to turn? Check into one of these beautiful European hotels and holiday homes
-
The warmth and comfort of Paris restaurant Margaux: ‘It’s like feasting at grandma’s’
Located on the 16th arrondissement, Margaux dishes up timeless French classics in a setting that feels like home
-
Saint Laurent unveils Sushi Park Paris: the Los Angeles omakase’s new outpost
A beloved Californian restaurant finds a second home at the Saint Laurent Rive Droite flagship, merging the worlds of haute couture and high-end gastronomy