Felicity Long
Despite its location in the south of France, Marseille
doesn’t always get the respect it deserves.
Yes, the city still features more grit and
graffiti than its trendier neighbors like Cannes and Nice.
But in the last few
years posh hotels and restaurants, high-end designer stores and multiple urban
renovation projects have brought Marseille a lot closer to A-list status for
visitors.
That transformation is moving further into high
gear, thanks to the designation of Marseille-Provence as a European Capital of
Culture in 2013. The city’s waterfront will undergo a massive facelift, and
exciting cultural venues are under construction, like the much-anticipated
Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, set to open next January.
More than 400 events are scheduled to take place
around the region in 2013, including exhibitions, concerts, festivals and food
tastings.
Travelers looking to get a jump on the crowds can
be among the first to stay in Philippe Starck’s new Mama Shelter hotel, set to
open this month. The buzz about this 127-room property is largely a carryover
from the success of Starck’s first Mama Shelter property, which opened in 2009
in Paris’ previously unchic 20th arrondissement.
In addition to the designer’s trademark quirky
decor, guestrooms at the Marseille property will feature 27-inch iMac with TV,
free WiFi and satin cotton sheets, as well as a large selection of free movies
on-demand.
Other amenities include the Mama Marseille restaurant under
the auspices of big-name chef Alain Senderens, meeting space for up to 50 and a
bike and small-car rental service.
The hotel is situated in the Cours
Julien district, and room rates start at about $90 a night.