Is France and Marseille one of the prime locations for LGBT people to travel? Yes, it is considered one of the most friendly gay city in Europe. From restaurants, bars, sauna and gay friendly hotels Marseille has all it needs for a great holiday in France and beyond.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights in France have been among some of the most advanced in the world. France has frequently been named one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world.Recent polls have indicated that a majority of the French people support same-sex marriage and in 2013,another poll indicated that 77% of the French population believed homosexuality should be accepted by society, one of the highest in the 39 countries polled.Paris has been named by many publications as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world, with Le Marais, Quartier Pigalle and Bois de Boulogne being said to have a thriving LGBT community and nightlife.
Marseille, a port city in southern France, has been a crossroads of immigration and trade since its founding by the Greeks circa 600 B.C. At its heart is the Vieux-Port (Old Port), where fishmongers sell their catch along the boat-lined quay. Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde is a Romanesque-Byzantine church. Modern landmarks include Le Corbusier’s influential Cité Radieuse complex and Zaha Hadid’s CMA CGM Tower.
Top attractions to visit in Marseille
- Aix en Provence and Cassis Small Group Tour from Marseille
- Avignon, Gordes and Roussillon Small Group Day Tour from Marseille
- Aix-en-Provence, Cassis and Marseille Small-Group Tour from Marseille
- Provence Lavender Fields and Aix-en-Provence Tour from Marseille
- Private Tour of Marseille’s Bay and Tiny Fishing Ports
1. Alex Hotel & Spa 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Marseille
Alex Hotel & Spa is located in Marseille. Featuring a terrace, this boutique hotel is a 15-minute walk from Marseille’s old port and 200 m from Saint-Charles Metro Station. Free WiFi access is available throughout.
Each room here will provide you with a TV, an electric kettle and air conditioning. Featuring a shower, the private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries. You can enjoy city views from the rooms. Extras include an iPod dock and a desk.
At Alex Hotel & Spa you will find a 24-hour front desk and a patio. Other facilities offered at the property include meeting facilities, a shared lounge and luggage storage. For an additional fee guests can also relax in the on site spa.
At the heart of the Marseilles Saint Charles district, at the foot of the train station stairs, come and experience the ALEX Hotel! An original hotel which is shaking up traditional hospitality, with its seamless blend of modern design and Marseilles classicism. Its 21 rooms and Junior Suites (some of which have balconies) with contemporary, smooth and vibrant forms, accommodate you in a place that is protected from the outside world and the stresses and strains of the city. Brand new activities we do have a Lounge Bar “The 1713” where you can enjoy a good glass of local wine !
Our SPA by Alex is now open and you can enjoy a steam room, sauna, massages and the sensorial shower. The 10 Fitness room is open every day from 06.00 am to 23.00 pm and it’s free access ! The “Le Corbusier” meeting rooms is at your disposal from 2 up to 35 person. And of course our famous breakfast is still open from 06.30 am until 11.30am with our chef and his specialties like French toast, pancakes, waffle.
This is a really lovely hotel right near Marseille St Charles Station, a very convenient location. It is about a 15 minute walk down to all the lovely shops and restaurants in the harbour.
On arrival at the hotel we were checked in by the most helpful and friendly receptionist we have ever come across. She recommended a very nice restaurant for us to have dinner at and gave us lots of helpful advice on where to go in Marseille.
The hotel is clean and nicely decorated, our room was very nice and they had put us in the back in the annex as we had asked for a quiet room and it was perfect. You can have a very nice breakfast either inside or in a lovely courtyard outside. We used the gym during our stay and, although it is quite small, it was well equipped compared to other hotels we have stayed in.
Very good value for money, would definitely go back and would recommend to others gay travelers.
Onto the hotel – I was really impressed. My room was one of the quietest rooms I’ve stayed in for some time, I had no disturbances from outside noise (brilliant considering the busy location) or from neighbouring rooms. The room was a decent size and nicely decorated in a modern style.
It had everything I needed. All the staff I interacted with were really friendly and helpful, I was really impressed with them. I took breakfast for the two days I was there. Not cheap at 14 Euros, but that’s a standard price these days. I did so because I wasn’t sure what sort of offering there was immediately around the hotel. It was decent enough offering a buffet selection but also a number of made-to-order options like pancakes and omelettes. In summer you can eat outside in a nice courtyard.
All in all I would recommend this as a good option in Marseille, especially if travelling down on the train and looking to explore other parts of the region by rail. I would definitely consider staying here again on a return visit to the city. Marseille was a great place to visit, I highly recommend taking the direct Eurostar from London if you’re able (runs May- September only). Great trip, great hotel, great city.
The Alex Hotel is a good value option to stay near Marseille St Charles Station. The metro is nearby, with quick and easy access to the old town and port.
The hotel staff are welcoming and helpful, especially the young man on reception night shift on the night we arrived (Saturday 13th July).
Our room was small but comfortable and clean. The bathroom was very spacious and the walk-in shower excellent. The bathrobes are a nice touch of luxury.
Breakfast was a little disappointing in its range – more fruit would be good – and there was no one around when we arrived, but we were offered pancakes and French toast (once we’d asked for them) which were delicious. The alfresco courtyard is very pleasant.
The hotel kept our baggage the following day until we were ready to leave Marseille, and offered us complimentary cold drinks and coffee when we returned to collect our bags.
I’d definitely stay at the Alex again if I return to Marseille.
The Alex Hotel is a small boutique hotel right across from the train station. From the hotel the Old Town is 0.6 miles walking distance or you can take the M1 metro from the train station for 2 stops. The hotel was really wonderful!! Although the bedroom was small, the bed was very comfortable, the room lacked for nothing and the bathroom was large.
Everything was immaculate. We also had a porch where we could sit and relax. They just added a really nice lounge where you can get a drink and tapas to wind down. The staff was unbelievably helpful, especially Celia, who couldn’t help enough! She is fabulous!! We loved this hotel – can’t say enough about it – it’s a real find. No wonder it’s rated #2 in Marseilles by travelers. If we ever return to Marseilles, we will not stay anywhere else.
How much does a room costs at Alex Hotel & Spa ?
Prices start 152$/night for Club Double Room. The Junior Suite with Terrace View is 288$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.
This suite features soundproofing and air conditioning. Some rooms have a balcony.
Where to book online – Alex Hotel & Spa – Gay Friendly Hotels Marseille – you can find the best hotels deals in Marseille during Summer Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Marseille on Booking.com or Trip.com or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
2. Mama Shelter Marseille 2* – Gay Friendly Hotels Marseille
This hotel offers a unique, modern design and rooms equipped with free WiFi and a smart TV. It is situated in the fashionable 6th district of Marseille, a 7-minute walk from Metro Notre-Dame du Mont – Cours Julien, and a 15-minute metro ride from Velodrome Stadium.
Each individually decorated room also features a mini refrigerator and a flat-screen TV with a selection of free films. All rooms have a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer and free toiletries.
Mama Shelter’s restaurant features a patio where guests can enjoy contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. A buffet breakfast is also available. Guests can enjoy a pastis bar in the patio.
Mama Shelter Marseille is much more than just a place to sleep. It is a vibrant hub, where people gather around a meal elaborated by Guy Savoy and that is meant to be shared. This Mama has a 125 rooms, each fitted with 5-star bedding (Duvet 100% Satin Coton Sheets), across 6 floors, each decorated with different colors. They are both cool during the summertime and warm refuges during the cold winter. The rooms are equipped with connected TVs that centralise internet, television, free movies on demand and a photo/video booth function.
This Mama is situated only 25km from the Marseille Provence Airport and only 10 minutes by car from the train station Gare Saint Charles. Take a break in Mama Shelter Marseille and enjoy the live concerts, shows, DJs, ping pong and if you have a car, rely on Mama’s parking lot.
Very funky hotel! Rooms are simple, clean and stylish and have everything you need. The front desk staff were super helpful and very friendly. Only drawback is it is slightly away from the heart of Marseilles but a 5 to 10 minute walk gets you to where there are a whole heap of restaurants and also the metro system. Highly recommend this for a place to stay in Marseilles!
The room was gorgeous and one of the bigger hotel rooms I’ve been in in Europe. The playful masks were hilarious and quirky and a nice touch. The room itself was just amazing. I found the bed crazy comfortable, and the shower was a luxury. We also ate breakfast at the hotel which, although it was a little pricey was well worth it.
They served such a spread of food and won me over with American-brewed coffee. The location is perfect. It took five minutes to walk to Cours Juliens, or a metro stop and maybe 15 minutes to get to the Vieux Port. I would HIGHLY recommend Mama Shelter for anyone on any budget. The location, service and comfort were above and beyond.
Room: I had a luxe double. It was a decent size and very very comfortable and nicely done. The bed was amazing. Very nice walk in overhead shower. Great TV with TV, free films, including “romantic” ones! Large window one can open. I loved the room. For the price the room exceeded my expectations considerably.
Staff: friendly and helpful. And attractive! Perfect.
Location: the hotel is in a quiet residential area a 10-15 minute walk from the port / centre. For me it was perfect as its a 3 minute walk from Le cour Julien with all it’s small streets full of restaurants and a short walk to the terminus of the buses going to the beaches. There is a small triangle outside the hotel with a shop selling pastries etc, a small restaurant where one can get coffee and cigarettes and a take away pizzeria, but one can eat it on the terrace.
Great spot to stay in Marseille, with a cool bar and restaurant downstairs which is a great option instead of walking into the centre. Lots of nice little restaurants and bars to be found in the area too, or about 15 min downhill walk to Vieux Port. Our luxe room was very spacious, quiet (5th floor), had a very comfy bed and fun design additions like the dimmable light headboard and lots of chrome. Staff were helpful and full of good vibes. We had the breakfast a couple of mornings, an extra 16e for a buffet spread (crepes, eggs, sausages, bacon, brioche, cheese etc). It was good value, and nice that it lasts until 11am.
How much does a room costs at Mama Shelter Marseille ?
Prices start 145$/night for Small Double Room. The Superior Double Room is 181$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.
Rooms are 23 square metres.
Where to book online – Mama Shelter Marseille – Gay Friendly Hotels Marseille – you can find the best hotels deals in Marseille during Summer Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Marseille on Booking.com or Trip.com or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
3. nhow Marseille 4* – LGBT Friendly Hotels Marseille
Directly on the sea shore, nhow Marseille at Palm Beach is in Prado Bay, 4 km from Marseille centre. The hotel is ideally located for exploring Marseille and the cultural attractions the city has to offer, while allowing guests to relax at the seaside. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, a spa centre for an additional charge and panoramic sea and mountain views.
This design hotel has modern air-conditioned rooms equipped with free WiFi access and an LCD satellite TV. Many feature a marine-themed décor and some have a balcony or views of the sea.
Guests of nhow Marseille at Palm Beach can enjoy breakfast on the terrace overlooking the Bay. There is a restaurant and 3 bars site where guests can relax.
he nhow Marseille, formerly known as NH Marseille Palm Beach, is situated in one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful bays and offers exceptional sea views. Cleverly built into the rocks, the hotel is both a wonderful setting for a holiday and one of the largest business meeting and events venues in Marseille. Staying here puts you within minutes of the beach and you’ll also be close to the Palais des Congrès de Marseille conference center. The hotel has 150 fresh, contemporary rooms. Most rooms face the sea and have their own balcony or terrace. Rooms for guests with limited mobility and family rooms are also available.
Guests start the day with a generous buffet breakfast. For lunch and dinner, the hotel’s restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Snacks are also available in the hotel bar. For relaxation, you can have a relaxing swim in the seafront pool, open from May to October, or work out on the exercise machines in the gym.
. The hotel is right on the sea and many of the rooms have a sea view. The rooms are pleasant, well equipped and maintained and comfortable, quality bed and bed linen. Free wifi which should be the norm these days but of course often an extra in the more expensive hotels. The public areas were good as was the food and service. Well equipped fitness room but my main criticism was that the exercise bicycle was not working, which was a bit shoddy given the price.
The interior is out of this world. Spa is really worth it! Also had the most amazing 3 course dinner with the prettiest view! The dishes and the cocktails were amazing. Friendly staff.
Nhow Marseille, known also as Palm Beach Marseille has been completely refreshed in a vintage retro chic mood that make you feel like in the 80’s in Miami Beach. By the way the acess to the lobby bar is an amazing “time tunnel” with psychadelic colors and designer furnitures.
The room are spacious and well furnished with great amenities and a small sea view terrace which is a must when you are in Marseille. Everything was clean and well prepared for our arrival.
The hotel is really modern with an helpful and smiling staff.
I suggest to have some afternoon drinks at the bar which offers a very nice terrace close to the large swimming pool.
The restaurant has a contemporary vibe with some great options for lunch and dinner. The recipes are elaborated and mainly oriented for seafood ( I did not expect less !)
The breakfast was generous and with salty and sweet plates even some gluten free products ( I love that !)
Nhow Marseille is really a marvelous option either you are on holidays or for a business trip and you want to rest looking at the waves !
The hotel is beautiful and the rooms, bar, restaurant, and pool all over spectacular views of the Mediterranean. The hotel itself doesn’t really have access to the beach. It has a small area that is mostly covered with seaweed, but there is a public beach a short walk away. The hotel is a little isolated, but thanks to Uber it’s easy enough to get anywhere else. The staff is wonderful and the hotel has recently been remodeled.
This hotel has a great ambience. The decor is innovative and stylish. It has two excellent bars (served a great margarita in the bar next to restaurant) and a first rate restaurant. It was very clean, and the room, while small, was well set up. Although, I would have preferred to have a bathroom with a bath (there was only a shower). The staff were very helpful and professional.
How much does a room costs at nhow Marseille ?
Prices start 280$/night for Nhow Room – Ground Floor. The Nhow Sea View Suite is 401$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.
This suite features a balcony, seating area and bathrobe.
Where to book online – nhow Marseille – Gay Friendly Hotels Marseille – you can find the best hotels deals in Marseille during Summer Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Marseille on Booking.com or Trip.com or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
