Daytime Terrace Hotel Dieu Marseille

Hotel Dieu Marseille 

Hotel-Dieu Marseille has to be one of the finest luxury hotels in the world.

Though I have been to Marseille many times in my life, it was not until the newly refurbished hotel Dieu was featured in the Wine Spectator magazine ,,,

… in addition to the then new Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MuCEM) – that I decided to make it a destination on its own.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Location

The InterContinental Marseilles Hotel-Dieu is situated atop the Panier in the oldest part of Marseille.

You will find it within easy walking distance to all the places you want to visit, including the best museums and restaurants inside the city.

By far, it is the city’s most luxurious hotels.

You will immediately see this in the friendly, professional attitude of the staff.

You will also see it in the lavish attention paid to the hotel’s polished interior design and architecture in the lobby, dining room, as well as rooms and suites.

Many of the rooms and suites, as well as almost all public rooms, face the landmark Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica.

And there is a 18^th century sense of Grandeur here, a Belle Epoch ambiance, even though there are some very clean, modern touches to the hotel.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Rooms and Suites

I’ve visited many times since it’s opening in 2013, mostly en route to St. Tropez.

Each time, I’ve stayed in a Grand Suite or Junior suite facing the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica.

Other views include the Vieux Port or historic heart of the city.

Hotel Dieu Marseille InterContinental Touch

The InterContinental is an incredible hotel brand.

What I like best about the hotel brand is that as a company, there is a sense of “white glove” service that filters through the top executives to the staff.

Attention is paid to very small details.

Hotel Dieu Marseille: Creating Drama and Excitement

As a somewhat jaded luxury traveler, it takes a bit to get me really excited about a room or suite.

Yet there is so much drama built into the experience of the Hotel Dieu it’s difficult to pinpoint where it all begins.

I suppose it begins when making the reservation, as it already sets in motion a sense of excitement based on past visits.

Then that drama continues to build until the car smoothly ascends upward toward the curved driveway leading to what looks like a magnificent white palace.

Once you enter the large, air-conditioned lobby of the Hotel Dieu with its enormously high ceilings and aura of glamour, you feel as if you have finally arrived.

Hotel Dieu Marseille: Keys to the Suite

Opening the door to my suite is always exciting.

Though one can say I am a bit jaded, I always feel the exhilaration of a five year old the first time I see the expansive patio that overlooks the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica

It is a party-sized patio.

Even though it is only the two of us, it is such a fun place to order drinks and Hotel Dieu room service and just admire that incredible view.\

Hotel Dieu Marseille Bath

If you are a regular reader of my luxury report articles and posts, you will already know that I mostly book rooms for the bathrooms.

The Hotel Dieu has one of my favorite bathrooms in Europe.

Though I’ve only been to a handful of different rooms over the years, in each bath, I’ve had one of the old-fashioned looking baths positioned in the middle of the bathroom.

It is a deep, modern tub, quick to fill.

And each bath has a bath tray were you can put soap, a bath sponge, and even a glass of Champagne.

The shower and other areas have their own compartment.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Bed and Suite

Sometimes I’ve had a full suite, and sometimes a junior suite.

The difference is the size of the room, as well as the size of the patio if that is your request.

Of course, I prefer the full suite with its large room.

The bed of each room I’ve experienced over the years has been incredibly comfortable.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Scene

I love dressing up for European vacations, and am pleased to see that for the most part, most guests at the Hotel Dieu feel the same way.

If you were to dress up at any hotel, this one would be it.

Think of some classic James Bond film, especially one of the old ones from the 1960s where everyone was totally decked out.

Hotel Dieu Marseille: Hotspot for Fashion Influencers?

While in the lobby, it was hard not to notice one very attractive young woman with a three year old son.

Like many guests, she was very beautifully dressed.

It seemed apparent that she found the exquisite backdrop of the Hotel Dieu the perfect background for her selfies …

… as she snapped dozens of pictures of herself against the different dramatic mirrors, paintings, and sculptures of the hotel’s interior rooms.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Concierge Team

Audrey Berr has been the Chef Concierge Clefs d’Or at the InterContinental Marseille for as long as I’ve been visiting.

On the phone before one visit I asked her about the restaurant I liked during my last trip …

… the one with all the old books on the wall.

As if by magic, she quickly knew the exact restaurant I meant, and the reservation was made.

I have plans in the future to ask her about renting a boat for the day, with a captain, to see Marseille from the sea.

Or maybe ask her about the best way to visit the Calanques, a series of rocky cliffs and bays between the city of Marseille and the town of Cassis in the south of France.

These are inlets that have been formed in the limestone cliffs, leaving a serious of tiny bays.  In the books and magazines, these cliffs look beautiful. Hikers enjoy exploring them.

Yet viewing them from a yacht – preferably with a glass of bubbly – is probably a more comfortable way to see them.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Breakfast

Because I love my patio overlooking the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, I usually like to have a room service breakfast.

But a few times in the past year, I did have breakfast served at Les Fenetres at the Hotel Dieu

It is a fantastic buffet that includes some of the most delicious, and freshest, fruit you will ever try.

As well as the usual 5 star buffet items that include yogurt, of a variety of different breads (Marseille is famous for bread), cheeses …

… and of course, made-to-order dishes like omelets, waffles, and more.

Hotel Dieu Marseille View at Breakfast

Beyond the freshness of the food, the thing I like best about breakfast at Hotel Dieu is the incredible view from the terrace.

Yes, you will see Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica and also other parts of the city.

Most tables are outdoors (the weather in Marseille is usually perfect) and it is just one of the most lovely spots in the world to have breakfast or brunch.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Dinner Options

One day, I will have dinner at the hotel and tell you all about it (be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you’ll be the first to hear).

Chefs can change, but as of my latest visit in 2019 the chef is Lionel Levy.

Mr. Levy is seen as the leader of the “new Mediterranean cuisine.”

This is a term that does not need too much translation.

This is because for centuries, if not thousands of years, Marseille has been recognized for the perfect freshness of its produce.

Also, Mr. Levy trained under acclaimed chefs such as Eric Frechon and Alain Ducasse.

Mr. Levy is in charge of the Hotel Dieu’s three restaurants.

Hotel Dieu Alcyone: The Gastronomic Restaurant

The name of this restaurant is Alcyone.  It earned its first Michelin star in 2014. For my next visit, probably next July or August, I will make a note to check it out and report back.

Hotel Dieu Les Fenetres

The name of this restaurant is taken from a type of typical Marseille building known as “3 Fenetres” (three windows).

It is a Mediterranean restaurant where Mr. Levy proudly shows off one of his signature dishes, called the “milk shake de bouillabaisse.”

Hotel Dieu Le Capian

The name of this bar gets its name from the bow of a small fishing boat with rounded contours and bright colors.

Here you can find one of the many mouthwatering cocktails like the one below.

You can also enjoy these cocktails while sitting on the terrace overlooking the Vieux-Port.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Spa

The Marseille Spa by Clarins is gorgeous.

The décor is inspired by traditional Provencal fountains.

It is a perfect place to relax for a massage.

You can really get into the traditional Marseille grove here with the hammam treatments available (a reference, perhaps, to Marseille’s Phoenician ancestry).

Swimmers will love the private pool.

And everyone who loves to relax will adore the massages, saunas, and more.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Final Thoughts

I love this hotel and always look forward to my visits each year. July and August are so hot in Marseille, so after a sticky drive from the airport it is a delicious pleasure to enter the lovely air-conditioned space of this beautiful hotel and know that relaxation and good times will only be a few moments away.

√ Marseille Logistics

Distance from the Marseilles Airport

The Hotel Dieu is located about a half an hour from the Marseille airport by taxi.

Most taxis are located at the stand at Terminal 1, and it can be a long walk – especially in the hot sun – if your plane lands at Terminal 2.

For this reason, you might ask the concierge about the ability to be picked up by a private car or taxi so you can be met when you exit baggage claim.

Distance from St. Tropez

I am usually either on my way to visit St. Tropez, or just leaving St. Tropez, when I visit the Hotel Dieu.

Depending on traffic, it is a pleasant drive of 2.5 hours.

Typically, I ask the concierge at the Hotel Dieu to arrange car service for me.

Most taxis do take credit cards.

What to Wear at the Hotel Dieu

I’ve spent many summers in various regions of the Cote d’Azur.

Most visitors to the Hotel Dieu, at least in my view, tend to dress with a bit more attention to detail than other areas in the South of France.

This can be due to the fact that there are many international visitors to the Hotel Dieu …

… at least, as evidenced by the many different languages spoken in the lobby.

Men will do well to bring a sports jacket, a few white shirts, and formal slacks for the evening.

Ladies do tend to dress up a bit, especially in the evening.

… and certainly if there is a Michelin rated dinner involved.

Hotel Dieu Marseille Concierge Tip

As a general tip, you might reach out to the concierge team with a phone call or an email a few weeks before your trip.

This is especially true if it will be your first visit to Marseille, and you are not sure what to see or do.

Here is a list of my favorite things to do in Marseille

Hotel Dieu Marseille Information.

InterContinental Marseille Hôtel-Dieu

1, place Daviel – 13002 Marseille

Réservations : Tél. : 04 13 42 42 30 –  [email protected]

marseille.intercontinental.com