NH Collection Marseille ★★★★

Elegantly designed and sophisticatedly refined, the NH Collection Marseille is ideally located between the old port and the city centre. Its Haussman-style décor has recently been thoroughly renovated to its original grandeur, with easy access to world-class restaurants and fashionable bars, proving a leisurely space to unwind after a day exploring the city. Experience a new concept in dining at the in-house Tablafina restaurant, where the chefs use only the freshest produce to create tasty, creative cuisine; from gourmet tapas and Spanish food to locally-inspired dishes. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a French getaway without an exquisite list of some of the country’s best wines and cheeses.

The increasingly trendy Panier district - the old town - lies just a few steps from the hotel, with its picturesque cobbled streets and colourful facades exuding charm around every corner. With Le Vieux Port in touching distance and an easily-accessible transport network on your doorstep, relish in everything the beauty of Marseille has to offer.

Originating as a simple, Mediterranean fisherman’s soup, bouillabaisse is not only Marseille’s most iconic dish, but an outright adventure in itself. The dish cannot, most people agree, even be replicated outside of the region, so walk down to Chez Aldo - a fish restaurant on the quaint Port de la Madrague - and prepare your taste buds for a copious and delectable meal of traditionally Marseillaise fare. For those looking to indulge in something a little stronger, check out La Maison du Pastis on the Vieux Port where you’ll find close to a hundred varieties of the sweetly complex, herbal liqueur, along with a lesson in how to drink it.

The city is also home to some magnificent cultural and architectural works, so be sure to stroll through the streets and spot the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, La Major Cathédrale, and the Jardin des Vestiges to bask in the truly authentic wonders Marseille has to offer.