Best Western Hotel Marseille Bourse Vieux Port by HappyCulture

Although lacking a waterfront setting, this 2016-renovated hotel gains points for its attractive rates, upbeat decor, and central location. Immediate streets are somewhat rundown, and the hotel's simple signage can make it difficult to locate, but positioning a five-minute walk from Marseille's vibrant port is great for touring the city on foot. Much like rooms, the lobby is bright and modern, albeit small. The reception area's patterned floor tiles and bright yellow walls have classic Mediterranean charm, and continue into the lounge that doubles as a breakfast area. Farmhouse tables and chairs and old-fashioned dressers here are attractive, as are wall-framed butterflies, an accent wall with leaf motif paper, and decorative flowers. A retro foosball table here completes the off-beat look. A "Pastis Bar" sign is a bit misleading, as there's no bar here, nor any restaurant. Reliable comfort and good positioning make this a decent pick for those who don't mind the lack on on-site amenities.

The hotel is set back from Marseille's bustling Vieux Port harbor, with its waterfront bars, restaurants, museums, and shops just a five-minute walk away. Longer 20-minute walks lead to Roman fortifications, the MuCem's exhibits, and ferries to Italy, L'Ille Rousse, or North Africa. Bonuses here include the Centre Bourse mall being just opposite (where guests can park), a nearby Starbucks, and the famous La Canebiere boulevard. Marseilles Saint-Charles railway station is 13 minutes away on foot. Nearby busses, trams, and taxis are plentiful. Marseille Provence Airport is 25 minutes away by car, or one hour by public transport.

Bright rooms in bold reds or yellows are on-trend thanks to fun wallpaper with tropical pineapple, dragonfly, or demure geometric motifs. Their palettes contrast whites in comfy beds and earth tones in wooden floors, drapes, and simple wood furniture. At 129 square feet (10 square meters) for the smallest Single Room, they're tiny though, and Doubles aren't much larger. Triple and Family Rooms offer more space and group sleeping options.

All rooms have small wooden desks, although surfaces are mostly taken up by amenities of phones, bottled water, and kettles for tea- and coffee-making. Satellite flat-screen satellite TVs, air-conditioning, safes, hairdryers, and en-suite bathrooms come standard. Rainfall showers here are mostly glass-wrapped, although some have plastic curtains. Wall-dispensed soaps are provided. Back-facing rooms are quieter than those overlooking the street, where trams or morning street cleaning are noisy. Anyone with mobility issues should avoid the two top-floor rooms that are not reached by the elevator.

Echoing the small setting, features here are limited, but guests find them sufficient. The wealth of nearby bars and restaurants make up for the lack of lunch and dinner service. A buffet-style breakfast is available for a fee, consisting of breads, pastries, and jams alongside cold meats and cheeses, cereals, yogurts, and fruits. Juice, tea, and Nespresso-dispensed coffee come standard. The latter two are free 24/7 in the lobby. While the space is small, it has character. Ample seating is available in the quaint breakfast room. Lobby charging points and a guest computer with printing facilities are free-to-use. Unfortunately, there's no gym. Guests with vehicles can park in the opposite mall for a discount. Pets are welcome for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.