Les Bords de Mer

Les Bords de Mer, Marseille: A Comprehensive Hotel Review

Les Bords de Mer in Marseille, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its breathtaking sea views, elegant design, and exceptional location. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's ability to offer a serene seaside escape while remaining close to the vibrant heart of Marseille.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Les Bords de Mer is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "amazing," "beautiful," and "my favorite hotel" in Marseille. It is often lauded as a "lavish seaside retreat" with a refined, extremely clean, and comfortable environment. The hotel scores highly for cleanliness (10.0), comfort (9.4), and staff (9.4) on various review platforms.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly enamored with several aspects of Les Bords de Mer:

• Location: Its prime waterfront position, offering direct sea views from all rooms, is a major draw. The proximity to Plage des Catalans and easy access to the Vieux-Port and city center are highly valued.
• Design: The hotel's aesthetic is described as light, bright, and minimal, inspired by 1950s modernism and contemporary simplicity, creating a calming atmosphere. It features an Art Deco feel with a Mediterranean flair.
• Amenities: The heated rooftop swimming pool, with its impressive views, is a guest favorite, as is the spa, which includes an indoor pool, hammam, sauna, and offers treatments using Susanne Kaufmann products. A sunset bar and restaurant further enhance the experience.
• Service: The front desk staff consistently earns accolades for being attentive, welcoming, helpful, and courteous.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Les Bords de Mer are consistently praised for their beauty, refinement, and comfort. All 19 rooms face directly out to sea, with many featuring private balconies that provide stunning Mediterranean vistas. While some guests note that rooms can be on the smaller side, the expansive sea views are often cited as ample compensation. Rooms are designed with a light and airy, minimalist style, and are equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms with showers. Complimentary amenities include Susanne Kaufmann cosmetics.

4. Dining Experience

• Restaurant: The hotel's restaurant boasts stunning sea views from its dining room and terrace. It offers contemporary, fresh, and unique cuisine, with a strong emphasis on local seafood and Provençal flavors. It serves both lunch and dinner.
• Breakfast: A continental and buffet breakfast is available daily, often described as "yummy" and delicious. However, some guests have reported issues with slow replenishment of food items, occasional understaffing, and a somewhat chaotic experience during peak times. The breakfast costs €30 per adult.
• Rooftop Bar: The sleek rooftop bar provides panoramic views, serving bar bites, classic and signature cocktails, regional craft beers, and Fontenille wines. It operates seasonally from April to October daily, and on weekends from November to March, sometimes offering sea urchin tastings.

5. Service & Staff

The hotel's staff, particularly at the front desk, receives high marks for their exceptional hospitality. Guests frequently mention their attentiveness, welcoming demeanor, helpfulness, and courteous nature. They are often lauded for going above and beyond to assist guests. However, as noted in the dining section, some guests have pointed out inconsistencies with breakfast service, attributing it to perceived understaffing.

6. Location & Accessibility

Les Bords de Mer enjoys an "unbeatable" location directly on Marseille's waterfront, along the Corniche Kennedy. It is situated next to Plage des Catalans and across from the Cercle des Nageurs. The hotel is highly accessible to key attractions, being only a five-minute walk from the Vieux-Port and the old town center. Other nearby sights include the Palais du Pharo, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, and Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica. Public transport is convenient, with the Catalans bus stop just a five-minute walk away. Marseille Provence Airport is approximately 12 miles distant, about a 32-minute drive.

7. Value & Pricing

Les Bords de Mer is considered a luxurious seaside retreat that offers exceptional value for the experience it provides. While the average room price is around $326, which is higher than the average hotel room in Marseille ($164), many guests feel it is well worth the cost for the quality of the stay, the views, and the amenities. Packages including an overnight stay, breakfast, and spa access can start from €298 for two people.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few recurring issues have been noted:

• Breakfast Service: The most consistent complaint revolves around the breakfast experience, with guests citing slow replenishment of food, a feeling of being understaffed, and a somewhat chaotic atmosphere.
• Maintenance: Some guests have expressed concerns that certain aspects of the hotel's maintenance have slipped since its remodeling, mentioning details like dirty curtains with holes and unstable toilet flushes in some of the more expensive suites.
• Room Size: While generally appreciated, some guests find the rooms to be on the smaller side, though the stunning sea views often mitigate this concern.
• Marseille's Reputation: It's worth noting that Marseille itself has an "old reputation" for being a "rough and tough" port city with organized crime. However, reviewers generally advise that tourist areas, where Les Bords de Mer is located, are safe, and travelers should practice situational awareness.

Sources

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