C2 Hotel

The designers of the C2 Hotel Marseille spent two years transforming this mansion into a luxury hotel. The result is a distinctive fusion of 19th-century pomp and 21st-century cutting-edge style. The hotel's collection of mid-century modern furniture by stars of 20th-century design, like Frank Lloyd Wright and Marcel Breuer, also set it apart. The landing of each of the five floors holds chairs by such designers. As for the building itself, its facade features well-maintained flowery stonework and iron balconies that recall its origins dating to 1860. The entryway is lined with brown marble and tall green curtains. Layers of decorative frosting define the lobby: Roman columns, crown molding, a grand piano, and a curly wrought-iron bannister. The breakfast room is similarly ornate with a frescoed ceiling and parquet wood floord. Such Old-World opulence is updated with modern glass chandeliers, black-and-white photos of jazz musicians, and modernist-era furniture. A spa, covered in electric blue tile, almost seems transplanted from another hotel. Spaces that were once hallways are now wading pools. The backyard wood terrace is covered with surrealistic patio furniture and accented with vertical garden walls. It's a style that speaks well to design-minded couples on a romantic getaway.

Located on the relatively quiet street of Rue Roux de Brignoles, the C2 is still within walking distance of the center of Marseille. Several restaurants and cafes are five to 10 minutes away from the hotel on foot. The docks of Vieux Port, considered the heart of Marseille and offering plenty of family-friendly activities, are about 10 to 15 minutes away from the hotel on foot. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, a cathedral that has a great view of the city, is a 12-minute walk from the hotel. Calanque de Morgiou, a picturesque part of the coast, is about 30 minutes away by car. In terms of public transportation, the nearest bus station is a two-minute walk away from the hotel, and a metro station (Estrangin Préfecture) is five minutes away. Travelers arriving at the Marseille Provence Airport should expect the trip to take about 25 minutes.

In contrast to the common areas of the C2 Hotel, which revel in baroque grandeur, the 20 guest rooms have smooth surfaces that only hint at the history underneath. Most of the dressers and closets, and some headboards, are natural wood with a matte finish. Mid-century modern chairs such as Arne Jacobsen's Egg chairs are used to punctuate the minimalist room decor with color and shape. There are luxe touches including minibars (with some free items), tablet computers, and espresso-makers (and tea kettles). Each room also has a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Some of the rooms also have balconies overlooking the street. 

The rooms range in size from Classic to Deluxe and Prestige. Some also tweak the design to include exposed brick or shiny white furniture. The Handicapped Room employs natural materials and paintings to create a folk art style that differs from all of the other rooms. Bathrooms are sleek with contemporary modern designer fittings and toiletries. Low-level rooms are shower-only; higher-category rooms also have separate tubs. 

For a relatively small hotel, C2 has a lot of amenities. The breakfast buffet is impressive with menu items such as pastries, fruits, salmon, cold cuts, and cheese, but some guests consider it overly expensive and recommend eating outside of the hotel. The spa offers massages and facials in two separate treatment rooms, including one for couples. It also has a hot tub, steam room, and three different showers including a Waterfall version. The indoor pool is mostly for wading in and cooling off, but it has a dramatic underground setting with blue lighting. For businesspeople, there's a small conference space of 237 square feet. Anyone who wants to plan an impressive event should consider the hotel's island, which has a stone fort with about 2,000 square feet of conference space built into it, plus more outside. Guests can also visit the island and sunbathe on its private beach, owned by the hotel, during summer months. Meals can be catered on the island, as well. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Self- and valet parking are available for a fee.