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STAY – INTERCONTINENTAL MARSEILLE - HOTEL DIEU, A LIVING MEMORY OF MARSEILLE'S HOSPITALITY (France)
A place of heritage and refinement, Hotel Dieu continues its vocation of hospitality with a deeply Marseillaise spirit, driven by a committed team and a forward-looking vision. |
Category: Europe - France - Industry economy
- Gourmet restaurants
- Gourmet restaurants - Tourism
Article written by Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine on Friday 01 August 2025
 The silhouette of the InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu is a landmark that is as imposing as it is familiar to locals and travellers alike
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
At the entrance, a valet eagerly welcomes visitors before the doors of the former 18th-century hospital reveal the lobby flooded with natural light, crowned by a monumental glass roof shaped like a barge, designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel. The interior architect has anchored this place in its territory, multiplying nods to Marseille: stylized amphorae, black and white stripes inspired by the Major Cathedral, fish sculptures, and works by contemporary artists celebrating the Mediterranean.
In the lobby, a luminous atmosphere invites exploration. The current exhibition, entitled Beyond Blue and curated by Valérie Davidoff of Square Art, showcases the works of Géraldine Auret: a vibrant and sensitive series also imagined as a dialogue with the Mediterranean Sea, on view until August 31st. In this sun-drenched space, the concierge service is also being reinvented through the Concierge Gallery program, piloted by the Marseille hotel for the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand. At the heart of this transformation, a large communal table fosters exchanges and workshops in partnership with local brands. Around it, elegant showcases present objects for sale or on display—such as Agapara’s eco-friendly sneakers—chosen to reflect the Provençal art of living and the exclusive collaborations fostered by the hotel. Leading this lively space, Véronique Boillot, head concierge and member of Les Clefs d’Or, passionately embodies the spirit of openness and transmission dear to the InterContinental brand.
Outside, the monumental staircases from 1785 illustrate the historical richness of the site. True witnesses of the hospital era, they no longer lead to certain floors created during the building’s transformation into a luxury hotel, but now serve more for contemplation or Instagram-worthy photo opportunities than for circulation. The hotel has never renounced its original mission: to welcome, soothe, and heal, albeit differently. Since its foundation as a hospital in 1593 and its inauguration by Napoleon III in 1866, Hotel Dieu has stood the test of time. Its rebirth, orchestrated in 2013 following a complete renovation costing over €100 million, transformed this monument into a five-star hotel. Today, it offers 194 rooms, including 15 suites, and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023 as a new chapter, blending prestige and local roots.
A house harmonizing with the people of Marseille
At the helm since summer 2024, Laurent Garrido brings a dynamic that combines loyalty to heritage with a contemporary vision. “My ambition is for the hotel to be a place of life for the people of Marseille as much as a landmark for international travelers. I want the local culture to be felt in every detail, in every interaction,” he told the Journal des Palaces.
Among the latest initiatives, the transformation of the former vegetable garden into a Mediterranean garden perched above the Old Port offers a true immersion into the local art of living. Here, visitors can enjoy a game of pétanque in a warm atmosphere. This haven of greenery also hosts beehives whose honey is used at the hotel, aromatic herbs cultivated for the kitchens, and nesting boxes discreetly inviting birdwatching. This confidential garden is freely accessible to hotel guests and can be privatized for small groups.
The terrace, the hotel’s beating heart, comes alive throughout the summer with weekly events: Tuesdays Sunset, in partnership with Brugal and Les Folies Mondaines de Madame, celebrate sunsets with cocktails and live music. Every Thursday, BBQ Chic offers a gourmet interlude with grilled meats, rosé de Provence, and generous buffets, all set against the backdrop of the port and Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde.
One table, one glance, one emotion
As night falls, the light softens in the majestic dining room of Les Fenêtres restaurant, led by chef Arnaud Davin. Whether on the terrace or indoors, the cuisine unfolds between refinement and Mediterranean inspiration. Tuna Tataki, smoked paprika poichichade, sea bream ceviche with coconut milk, Iberian pork ravioli, and red porgy fillet with peas follow one another in a balanced and emotional sequence.
In the dining room, Pierre Bouteillé, chef de rang, accompanies each moment with natural elegance. His service, full of finesse, combines discretion, attentiveness, and genuine care. His recommendations echo the chef’s philosophy, while his gestures convey a rare generosity and sense of service. The culinary experience becomes an intimate interlude, almost suspended in time, an exceptional moment that both local diners and hotel guests will cherish as a precious memory.
When experience becomes memory
After these unique moments, it is time for guests to head to the iconic Le Capian bar, settling into its intimate interior setting or enjoying a final cocktail on the terrace under the Marseille stars. Then, guests naturally return to their rooms. In these spacious retreats, beneath the hotel’s emblematic arches, the gaze immediately turns to the ever-present, protective basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. Some bathrooms open onto the view, inviting a contemplative experience from sunrise to sunset.
In the morning, after a peaceful night’s sleep, the experience continues over a generous breakfast served at Les Fenêtres or on the terrace depending on the season. Crêpes, waffles, and pancakes are prepared to order, while a comprehensive buffet showcases organic, local, and seasonal products. A healthy and indulgent moment, true to the spirit of the place.
Finally, before leaving this haven of disconnection, the Spa by Clarins stands as a final Marseille stop. Shielded from view, the indoor pool heated to 28 °C evokes Provençal basins, inspired by the Palais Longchamp and the arrival of water to Marseille in the 19th century. A wall transforms into a cascade, offering a moving spectacle under a soft, both warm and cool, light. Two saunas, one of which is infrared, allow guests to alternate between muscle relaxation and gentle stimulation, while the hammam, a true purification ritual, invites deep relaxation. Finally, sensory showers complete this wellness interlude with an immersive, multisensory experience.
At the InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu, the walls speak, gestures heal, and moments leave their mark. More than a hotel, a place that soothes, inspires, and attracts, like a promise made to those who walk through its doors: to feel, for a moment, at home in the most vibrant of Mediterranean cities.
 The hotel has 15 suites, all designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, including the Presidential Suite
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 In total, the iconic hotel has 194 rooms
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 Hotel guests and visitors can enjoy chef Arnaud Davin's cuisine at Les Fenêtres restaurant
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 From breakfast to dinner, guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine on the terrace or indoors
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 From ceviche to steamed ravioli, all the dishes promise delicate flavors
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 The Iberian honey ginger lacquered quill is a safe haven
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 Throughout the lobby, the relaxation areas feature numerous nods to Marseille
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 The amphorae form a pathway between history and modernity
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 Every line and every curve is a tribute to Marseille, from its artisans to its cathedral, La Major
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 In the heart of the lobby and its concierge gallery, Véronique Boillot, Clefs d'Or head concierge, works to share her passion for Marseille with her guests
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 Among the must-see attractions during any stopover at the Hôtel Dieu is the iconic Panier district
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 A place combining souvenir shops, street art, historical trails, and authentic restaurants...
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 And at the foot of the InterContinental Marseille Hôtel Dieu, the legendary port of Marseille
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 To end the day in total relaxation, a visit to the Clarins spa and its indoor pool is a must
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 The spa is by Clarins and its décor also combines stone and modernity
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 But the highlight of the InterContinental Marseille Hôtel Dieu is undoubtedly its façade and its view of the Bonne Mère
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
 An iconic location and unique hospitality that leave a lasting impression
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / Journal des Palaces
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