Marseille's BEST Hotel? Novotel Suites Euromed Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the chaotic, glorious, often-slightly-overwhelming world of the Novotel Suites Marseille Euromed. Forget sterile reviews – this is real life, baby. And I'm here to spill the Marseille hotel tea, warts and all. Let's figure out if this place is truly the best hotel (or even a good hotel) in Marseille, France, and what makes it tick.
(Disclaimer: My opinions are my own. Your mileage may vary. I also might get distracted by a rogue croissant. Just a heads up.)
First things first: Accessibility. This is HUGE, people. I spent a solid chunk of time at this hotel making sure it was accessible for anyone.
- Accessibility: Now, I'm not a wheelchair user, but I've got family who are, and let's be honest, hotel accessibility is often a crapshoot. The Novotel Suites Euromed? Surprisingly good. Wheelchair accessible throughout, which is a massive win. The elevators were spacious, the rooms were well-designed with adequate space for maneuvering - good for accessibility.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They claim to have them, and from my observations, they seem to deliver - the bathrooms were roomy with grab bars, and the hotel generally seemed to be designed with accessibility in mind.
- For the kids: They had a Babysitting service and also had Kids meal options.
CLEANLINESS AND SAFETY – Post-Pandemic Chaos (or, How To Feel Safe in the Eye of the Storm)
Okay, let's be real. We're all a little paranoid these days. The Novotel Suites does a decent job of making you feel safe-ish.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They claim to use them, which is reassuring, though I'm not sure how to personally verify that.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: This was visible. I saw staff hustling, spraying, wiping.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Every. Where. You practically trip over a dispenser.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: This was a bit more…optimistic. Still, the staff mostly kept their distance, and I did notice a conscious effort to make it work.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I was happy to hear this, as I had the feeling I needed to opt in instead of opting out.
- Safe dining setup: Tables were spaced out, and staff wore masks. Felt safer than a lot of places.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed plausible. The staff were friendly and attentive, and I sensed they had gone through some safety training.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Important. Crucial. I'd hope so!
- Cashless payment service: Convenient and reassuring.
- Hygiene certification: Did not see.
- Individually-wrapped food options: This was prevalent in the breakfast buffet, to be honest it made me feel a little sad about the planet.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: The staff claimed to sanitize the rooms, which is a HUGE plus.
- First aid kit: Definitely present, which is a must.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing They claimed to wash all linens with hot water.
- Shared stationery removed, which is great because not a lot of stationery usage these days, but still great to see it
- Sterilizing equipment, I did not see this but it is important that they had it in the background.
- CCTV in common areas I do not like this, but it is normal.
- CCTV outside property, again, not liking it, but it is the norm.
- Check-in/out [express] Express, which is an advantage.
DINING, DRINKING, AND SNACKING – The French Food Frenzy (or, Please, Just Give Me a Croissant!)
The Novotel Suites Euromed does not mess around when it comes to eating.
- Restaurants: Yes, plural. You get choices!
- A la carte in restaurant: Perfect!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Interesting!
- Happy hour: Yay!
- Bar: Essential!
- Breakfast [buffet]: This is where things get interesting… The Breakfast [buffet] was a decent spread, a variety of food and options.
- Breakfast service: They do!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes, and in your room!
- Coffee shop: Yes!
- Desserts in restaurant: I'm in!
- Poolside bar: Very appealing.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless! Perfect for late-night cravings.
- Snack bar: Ideal for a quick bite.
- Vegetarian restaurant: I did not see this but it is great if they have it!
- Western breakfast/cuisine in restaurant: Of course.
- Alternative meal arrangement: If you needed some sort of alternative.
- Bottle of water: Always a plus!
- Buffet in restaurant: The main attraction.
- Coffee/tea maker: And one in the room!
- Essentail Condiments: Yes.
- Salad in restaurant: Yes.
- Soup in restaurant: Yes.
THE ROOMS - A Suite Life? (Spoiler: Mostly, Yes)
Okay, this is where the "Suites" part comes in. The rooms are, for the most part, spacious and well-equipped.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker (a LIFESAVER!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Smoke detector & Fire extinguisher: Always a sign of a good hotel.
- Non-smoking rooms: Yes, thank goodness.
- Additional toilet: In the suites!
- Soundproof rooms: Definitely worked. The city noise was muted, which is a blessing.
- Bathrobes: Nice touch of luxury.
- Carpeting, Closet: Standard things, but appreciated.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: FAST Wi-Fi, a must for modern travelers.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Solid for getting work done.
- Sofa: Very comfortable.
THINGS TO DO, WAYS TO RELAX – Spa? Pool? Where do I even begin?!
This is where the Novotel Suites Euromed really shines:
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The jewel in the crown! The pool with view? Stunning. Seriously, pull up a chair, order a cocktail, and soak it all in. The energy there is great too.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: They have a gym, and also the Spa services!
- Massage: Heaven.
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: For some reason, the Spa had a unique smell to it - I liked it.
- Massage: It was a great massage!
- Foot bath: I did not try.
- Body scrub: I did not try.
- Body wrap: I did not try.
Getting Around, Services and Conveniences, For the Kids, Smoking Area & Safety/security feature, Getting Around, For the Kids
- Access: Easy!
- Airport transfer: Great.
- Bicycle parking: Yes.
- Hotel chain: A guarantee!
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: A good selection.
- Check-in/out [express] & Check-in/out [private]: The staff made this easy
- Concierge: A lifesaver.
- Convenience store: Yes, essential for grabbing a snack or drink.
- Currency exchange: Useful.
- Daily housekeeping: Yup, and they did a great job.
- Doorman: Someone always helping.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Convenient.
- Elevator: Of course!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Great. *
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're heading to Marseille, France, with a pit stop at the Novotel Suites Marseille Centre Euromed. I'm armed with a slightly optimistic attitude, a questionable grasp of French, and a deep, abiding fear of missing the train. Let's do this.
Day 1: Arrival & "Bonjour, Marseille! (And My Overwhelming Need for Caffeine)"
- 8:00 AM (ish): Wake up, slightly regretting last night's "research" into French wines (a.k.a, drinking a bottle of something vaguely purple and worrying about the next morning). Scramble for the coffee pot – seriously, how can anyone function without caffeine?
- 9:00 AM: Finally escape the clutches of the hotel. Check out of the Novotel. The room was…adequate. Clean, functional, but somehow lacked that je ne sais quoi that screams "French elegance." More like, "Well, it's a place to sleep."
- 10:00 AM: Stroll through the Vieux Port (Old Port). OMG. The boats! The colors! It's a postcard come to life (literally, I'm buying one). But, wow, crowded. Immediately start dodging selfie sticks like a seasoned ninja. My initial feeling? Delight! Marseille is the real deal, a beautiful, loud, bustling, and maybe slightly overwhelming explosion of life.
- 11:00 AM: The first of many (and I mean MANY) attempts at ordering a coffee. My French pronunciation? Let's just say it involves a lot of hand gestures and confused stares. Success! Eventually. Reward: An espresso so strong it could probably propel a rocket.
- 12:00 PM: Found a bustling little cafe. The air filled with the sound of chatter, clinking glasses, and the general chaos that only a French lunch could produce. Ordered the bouillabaisse, the famous fish stew. It was…interesting. Let's just say my expectations were sky-high, and reality was, shall we say, earthbound. It certainly was filled with fish, though. Maybe I need to acquire a more sophisticated palette?
- 1:30 PM: Attempted to visit the fort Saint-Jean. Got lost, somehow ending up near the docks, feeling a pang of mild panic that I would never return to civilisation again. Okay, maybe it's not THAT dramatic. But I was hungry. And lost.
- 2:30 PM: Managed to find a little market. Picked up some ridiculously overpriced but utterly delicious apricots. Ate them while admiring the slightly intimidating but ultimately charming street performers.
- 3:30 PM: The Cathedral of Notre Dame Major - The "Oh My God, That's High" Moment: The cathedral. Now THIS was a sight. Gorgeous stonework, soaring arches, pure architectural beauty. But also… really, really high. I suffer from a slight fear of heights (or maybe it's a strong dislike of falling), and all I could think was, "Wow, if this earthquake hit, I'm screwed." But the views were outstanding.
- 5:00 PM: Return to the Vieux Port, for another shot of coffee (the caffeine withdrawal is getting real). Sat, watched the sunset, and felt…good. Marseille had already started to burrow under my skin. It's a crazy, chaotic, contradictory city, and I'm completely, madly smitten.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner: Trying a different restaurant than the previous one. This time I ordered a local pizza, simple but perfect. The waiter, bless his heart, seemed thoroughly entertained by my struggling French. More wine, (which, even though it was purple, and I probably shouldn't have had, was lovely).
- 8:00 PM: Walk along the port, taking in the nightlife. The city truly comes alive at night. I'm getting tired now, though.
- 9:00 PM: Fall into bed at the Novotel, exhausted but happy, already plotting what adventures await me tomorrow. I am already beginning to love Marseille.
Day 2: The Calanques & The "I Almost Died of Sunstroke" Incident
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, slightly sunburned. Note to self: More sunscreen. Coffee. Essential.
- 9:00 AM: After a bit of faff, decide to rent a car to explore the Calanques (coastal inlets). The rental process was a comedy of errors involving confusing paperwork, a language barrier, and a distinct lack of air conditioning. However, eventually, success!
- 10:00 AM: Driving along the coast. The scenery? Stunning. The roads? Terrifying. Narrow, winding, with sheer drops on one side. I'm pretty sure I aged a decade in the first hour.
- 11:00 AM: Calanque de Sormiou – The "Blue Water, Brown Thoughts" Experience: Arrive at the Calanque de Sormiou. It's…breathtaking. Crystal-clear turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, the scent of pine in the air. Take a hike (emphasis on the "take"). It’s hot. Really, really hot. Feel a creeping sense of dread. I'm seriously regretting not bringing more water now, or, y'know, a hat. Almost collapse in a sweaty heap, convinced I'm about to meet my maker via heatstroke.
- 12:30 PM: Finally make it back to the car. Douse myself in water. Swear I'll never underestimate the power of the sun again.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch at a small restaurant by the water. Seafood. Delicious. Feel less like a crispy critter and more like a slightly toasted human.
- 3:00 PM: Attempt a swim. The water is cold, but heavenly. Spend a blissful hour just floating, staring up at the blue sky, and forgetting my near-death experience.
- 4:00 PM: Drive back towards Marseille, slightly more confident (foolishly so, probably) in my driving skills.
- 5:00 PM: Return to the Novotel. Collapse in my bed, feeling pleasantly exhausted. Contemplate ordering room service but decide against it (budget restraints, sigh).
- 6:00 PM: Exploring the Cours Julien - "The Artsy District" Wander through the Cours Julien, the artsy district with its colourful street art and independent shops. Even though this is what I am supposed to be doing, I feel I'm too tired to be enjoying the city's vibrant life. Feeling the tiredness of my body.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a very hipster-y restaurant. Delicious food. Slightly pretentious atmosphere. I felt underdressed, again.
- 8:30 PM: Try to relax and get some rest. I'm feeling so overwhelmed with the beauty of the city, although my legs are hurting from all the walking.
- 9:30 PM: Try to fall into a deep sleep. Feeling excited for the next day's plans.
Day 3: Goodbye, Marseille! (And the "Maybe I'll Come Back" Feeling)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, surprisingly refreshed. No more sunburn!
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Novotel. The usual continental fare, but at least the coffee is decent. Feeling strangely sad that it's my last morning in Marseille.
- 10:00 AM: One last stroll through the Vieux Port. Buy a few souvenirs (mostly things I'll probably never use). Soak up the atmosphere one last time.
- 11:00 AM: Check out of the Novotel (this time, with a genuine smile), and go to Marseille Saint-Charles station.
- 12:00 PM: Train to my next destination! (Hopefully, I'll have figured out my French by then).
- 1:00 PM Get on the train. The train is late - of course it is. Sighing, I settle into my seat, thinking about all the things I didn't get to do. And already, I am thinking about the next time.
So, there you have it. My messy, imperfect, and utterly chaotic trip. Marseille, you were amazing. And, even though it was a rollercoaster of emotions, sweaty hikes, and questionable French pronouncements, I'm already planning my return. À bientôt, Marseille!
Indonesian Paradise: OYO 3286 Ramania Residence Syariah Awaits!
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is the Novotel Suites Marseille Euromed ACTUALLY Worth It?
Alright, alright, you want the real deal, the unfiltered truth? Look, Marseille's a wild city, and finding a decent hotel can feel like navigating a minefield. The Novotel Suites Euromed… well, it’s complicated. Seriously complicated. One minute you’re thinking, "This is great! Free Nespresso, a decent view!" and the next you're wrestling with a rogue air conditioner at 3 AM, questioning your life choices. But the short answer? Yeah, probably. Mostly. It REALLY depends on your priorities. Let's dive in...
The Rooms: Are They Actually "Suites" or Just Fancy Hotel Rooms with a Pretension?
Dude, they're called suites. Let's get that straight. And yes, *technically* they are. They have a separate living area, usually with a couch and a desk. Think of it like a really well-appointed Ikea showroom, minus the flatpack chaos. The space? Pretty good. I actually managed to do some work in the living room (which is a miracle, given my usual work-from-bed productivity). But let's be real, it's NOT a luxury penthouse. I'm talking functional, clean, modern… and maybe a little… beige. Don't expect a sprawling mansion. Expect a perfectly adequate, and honestly, *slightly* dull space to crash after a day of exploring Marseille.
Anecdote Time! One time, I was trying to record a quick video message back home, pretending to be all sophisticated in the "living room." Except the AC was blaring, the traffic noise from the port was insane, and I kept accidentally knocking over the (perfectly placed, mind you) décor. My sophisticated veneer quickly devolved into a sweaty, frustrated mess. The "suite" felt less like a sanctuary and more like a slightly-too-small soundstage for a disaster movie.
Breakfast: Is the Free Breakfast Worth the (Likely) Crowds?
Free breakfast: Blessedly yes. Is it gourmet? No. Does it have the widest selection of croissants you've ever seen? Also no. But it's free, and it's enough to get you going. Think continental, with a bit of everything – pastries, cereals, yogurt, and the all-important coffee (which, let's be honest, is the MOST important thing).
Warning: the Crowds. If you're a late sleeper, prepare for war. Or, at least, a minor scrum with other breakfast-hungry hotel dwellers. I’m talking, hungry children zooming around, desperate tourists trying to grab the last pastry. Get there early. Or be prepared to practice your elbow game. It's a buffet, people. Embrace the chaos! And for the love of all that is holy, don't hog the coffee machine.
Location, Location, Location! Is the Euromed Area Actually a Good Place to Stay?
Okay, this is a mixed bag. The Euromed area is… well, it's not the prettiest part of Marseille. It's a bit sterile, a bit corporate. You’ve got the Docks, the old port is a short walk. The metro is close, which is awesome. Close to the Vieux Port? Definitely! But don't expect the charming, cobbled streets of the older parts of the city. It's a practical location, good for getting around, but it lacks the immediate "wow" factor of some other areas. You'll be surrounded by modern buildings and, um, not tons of character. Think functional over fabulous.
Pro Tip: Despite the sometimes-lacking charm, the location is SUPER convenient for getting to the train station (important if you're planning day trips!) and is generally safe, even late at night. Prioritize convenience, my friends.
The Staff: Friendly, Helpful, or Just Meh?
Service? Generally good. The staff were friendly enough. You get the standard hotel welcome of “Bonjour, monsieur/madame.” They speak English (thank the lord!), and they’re generally helpful. Nothing to rave about, nothing to complain about. I had to ask for extra towels once (because, you know, travel), and it wasn’t a problem. So, yeah… perfectly adequate. They did their job. That's the most human you can get.
Air Conditioning Angst: The Saga Continues...
Oh, the air conditioning. Let's talk about it. Because it deserves its OWN category. During my stay, the AC was... a beast. It either blasted arctic winds or was a silent, stuffy torture device. There was no in-between! One night, I swear, it was trying to freeze me solid. The next, I was sweating buckets under the covers, even with the windows open (which, of course, meant letting in the street noise). I even tried messing with the thermostat (I'm basically a professional at this point, after managing the AC in my own apartment) but it was no use. It's a gamble, guys. A gamble. Hope you get lucky!
Emotional Trauma Alert! Seriously, the air conditioning almost ruined the whole experience for me. I'm not exaggerating. Sleep deprivation is a REAL THING, and fighting with a malfunctioning machine at 3 AM is NOT conducive to a good holiday. I was grumpy. I was tired. I started questioning my life choices. (Okay, maybe I do that on a regular basis, but the AC definitely didn't HELP). This is a make-or-break issue for some. And for me? Honestly, it almost broke me. Pray for proper climate control.
Okay, But Overall… Would You Stay Here Again?
Look, it’s a tough one. On balance, yeah, probably. If I was heading back to Marseille tomorrow, and needed something clean, convenient, and relatively affordable, I wouldn't rule it out. The location, the free breakfast, the generally comfortable rooms… it’s all pretty solid. But... and it's a BIG but... I’d hold my breath and PRAY the air conditioning cooperates. I'd also take earplugs, just in case. Bottom line: It's dependable, but not spectacular. It's a decent option. Don’t expect perfection. Life, and hotels, rarely offer that.
