The Golden Tulip Villa Massalia is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel located outside the city center, with a seasonal heated outdoor pool and a full spa with saunas and a Turkish bath. One side of the hotel faces the sea, and its Mediterranean restaurant has an outdoor terrace overlooking the Marseille Borely Racecourse. Other features include a cocktail bar with regular live music and ample event space for meetings or weddings, but the fitness rooms is sparsely equipped and breakfast and parking cost extra. The hotel's 140 guest rooms and suites have contemporary decor with large work desks and flat-screen TVs, although mini-fridges and electric kettles are absent, and some units have small windows that let in little natural light. A sister hotel, the Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed, has a better location for those looking to be closer to the historic port and city center.

The five-pearl InterContinental Marseille occupies a historic 18th-century building atop Panier Hill, just minutes from the Old Port of Marseille. The property's French baroque facade is well-maintained, and interiors feature contemporary decor that takes influence from Art Deco and the city's seafaring culture. The 194 rooms are spacious and elegant with a cool, gray palette and nice views, and feature minibars, espresso machines, and digital music players. A Michelin star-rated fine dining restaurant, wraparound terrace for evening cocktails, and Clarins spa with indoor pool are standout features. Breakfast is available a la carte or buffet-style, but is pricey. Wi-Fi is free and fast. Travelers keen on a luxury property with harbor views could also consider the Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port, which has similar amenities and comparable rates.

The three-pearl Best Western Hotel Marseille Bourse Vieux Port by HappyCulture is a modern property in downtown Marseille with 51 cheerful rooms. Located a short walk from the city's port, restaurants, shopping, and transport hubs, it's a good mid-range pick, although features are limited here. A stylish lounge and dining area serve breakfast and free tea and coffee all day, but the venue is short on space, as are rooms. Still, rooms are outfitted in upbeat, contemporary decor, as well as desks, hairdryers, AC, and free Wi-Fi. Noise is problematic in some, but for a comfortable stay in this price bracket, it's a good pick. Those willing to pay more may prefer the fancier Radisson Blu Hotel, Marseille Vieux Port, which overlooks the harbor. 

The 13-room Hotel 96 is a mid-range boutique property with lovely landscaped lawns and a romantic vibe. This cozy gem has a number of relaxing amenities like an outdoor pool, a sauna, and a massage room. Guest rooms are bright and airy, with colorful pieces of artwork, a mix of vintage and modern furnishings, and amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and kettles, plus some have terraces. But there’s no restaurant on-site, and its secluded location makes it difficult to reach dining options without a car. Travelers seeking something more centrally located in Marseille might want to consider the New Hotel of Marseille – Le Pharo, which offers similar amenities and rates. 

The C2 Hotel Marseille is a unique luxury property inside a late-19th century mansion just 10 minutes' walk from Vieux Port. Restored architectural features and modern designer furniture combine to offer a dose of Old-World grandeur with a contemporary twist. The 20 rooms have smooth, streamlined decor with designer furnishings, and offer nice touches like free minibar snacks, tablet computers, and espresso-makers. The chic bar has a wine cellar and extends to a terrace, while the restaurant serves a highly rated breakfast buffet (for a fee). A standout spa features an underground indoor pool and three different types of showers, and the hotel even has a private island beach available for corporate events and guest visits in summer. Travelers could also consider the luxury InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu, which has a Michelin star-awarded restaurant. 

This 21-room budget hotel occupies two floors in the middle of La Cité Radieuse, a residential tower designed by famed architect Le Corbusier, whose modernist "Design for Living" philosophy is acutely felt throughout the property. A stay here is an artistic experiment in minimalism, as the hotel and rooms are scantly decorated and comprised largely of concrete -- though with some fantastic views from the bar. There is beauty in the simplicity, for sure, but considering that the hotel is at least a 15-minute walk from the nearest Metro station, it may be better enjoyed on a tour rather than as a place to stay.

Smart, stylish, and seriously upscale, the Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port was once the only true luxury hotel in town. Today it has a bit more competition, but its enviable position overlooking Marseille's iconic harbor continues to draw in business and leisure travelers. Some room decor is on the simple side and not all views are breathtaking, but waterside vistas are impressive and the bathrooms, many with large soaking tubs, don't disappoint. The on-site restaurant, bar, and brasserie all offer lovely terrace seating and the luxury spa receives excellent reviews. A stay at the Sofitel doesn't come cheap, so before you splash the cash, check rates at the InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu.

Facing the Old Port, a suite at La Residence hovers around the same price as a basic room at the five-star hotel down the street, but the view across the harbor makes the higher price worth it. The upscale, 50-room La Residence is right in the center of Marseille’s historic hot spots, within easy walking distance of just about everything, including a Metro stop. Large suites nicely accommodate families, while standard rooms combine retro 50s-inspired decor with modern amenities. Although the breakfast is nothing spectacular, the restaurant serves tasty, fresh seafood dishes and the large boardroom with port views is ideal for business travelers.    

This Radisson Blu is an upscale, 189-room hotel set in the pretty Old Port district of Marseille, overlooking the harbor. There's little unique or particularly remarkable about the hotel, and it sticks to the aesthetics of the chain, though a boules pitch and a mini-golf green are certainly unusual additions. Rooms are well-finished, and harbor views worth paying a little extra for. Features include an outdoor swimming pool. Overall it's a solid -- if not very interesting -- choice. For something a little less generic and closer to town, check out the similarly priced Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille.

The Music Hotel is a fine choice for young adult tourists looking for a simple hotel with just enough character and comforts. Within about 15 minutes' walk of the port and most Marseilles hot spots, this 10-room budget property is surrounded by restaurants and shops, and offers free Wi-Fi and a full-service bar. The music theme is not very evident in the somewhat blandly decorated guest rooms -- which do have minibars and flat-screen TVs. Service is somewhat inconsistent, and street-facing rooms can be noisy. Still, the prices are a good deal for the location.