A good value for its central location that's within a 15-minute walk of just about everything, Le Ryad is a lovely nine-room boutique hotel with vibrant Moroccan style and a relaxing, tropical garden oasis where breakfast is served (for a fee). Guest rooms are bright and clean, with Nespresso machines and flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. While the immediate neighborhood can be a bit seedy after dark, the hotel provides a comfortable headquarters for a Marseilles visit, and is best suited to adult tourists as there are no business facilities or children’s amenities.

The stylish two-pearl Hermes Hotel is one of the best stays in its range, with a prime location only a block from the Vieux Port in central Marseille. Its 28 guest rooms are attractive and have bold red accents, with AC, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, and some boast small furnished balconies. Highlights include a fantastic rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the harbor and the city, and an inviting breakfast room on the ground floor, though breakfast isn't included. Travelers looking for a hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar can consider Hotel Bellevue around the corner.