Golden Tulip Villa Massalia

Built in 2007, the hotel was formerly the Concorde Villa Massalia, but came into the Louvre Hotel Group as the Golden Tulip Villa Massalia in 2014. It underwent partial renovations shortly after; some outdoor spaces were updated and the guest rooms got a fresh coat of paint, but views of the sea over the neighborhing Marseille Borely Racecourse remain the same. A cobblestone walkway decorated with bright red planters leads up to the front entrance with a revolving glass door. Inside, flower arrangements perfume the lobby from atop a reception desk made to look like three huge luggage trunks. Large chandeliers dangle from a two-story ceiling, but there's nowhere to sit except for a cushioned sectional that wraps around a central column. Guests are about half business travelers and half couples on romantic getaways.

The hotel is located outside the city center in a mostly residential area, right next to Borely Park and the Marseille Borely Racecourse (Hippodrome Borely). It's right off a traffic circle where five avenues and boulevards intersect, surrounded by shops and restaurants, and a pair of gas stations. It's a six-minute walk to a cluster of restaurants along the seafront, and another minutes' walk to Bonneveine beach. The Vieux Port (Old Port) and historic center of Marseille are about 15 minutes away by car. The Saint-Charles railway station is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, and Marseille Provence Airport is roughly 35 minutes by car.

The hotel's 140 guest rooms and suites are split between city views on one side, and sea and/or hippodrome views on the other. Most units have a contemporary decor with oak furniture, deep pile carpets, and a neutral palette. Standard rooms have king, or two twin beds, along with spacious work desks and small seating areas with armchairs. Some units contain small round windows that barely let in any natural light. Standard amenities include 40-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no mini-fridges or electric kettles. Bathrooms are modern and attractive, and feature basin sinks and shower/tub combos.

Upgraded rooms are brighter with sliding glass doors that open to private furnished balconies or patios, and come with Nespresso machines. Suites feature separate living rooms with couches, and bathrooms with walk-in showers and separate soaking tubs. Executive Suites have more ornate decor inspired by the Silk Road, with varying bold colors and decorative tiles adding spice to the ambiance. They have large outdoor terraces and living rooms with additional 48-inch flat-screen TVs. 

The Golden Tulip's features measure up to other properties in its category. The heated outdoor pool is open seasonally, with a sundeck that has comfortable loungers and shade umbrellas. Another seasonal outdoor space is the restaurant's terrace right next to it, both overlooking grounds of the nearby racetrack. Mediterranean cuisine is served at the restaurant, with fresh seafood and dishes prepared with local produce on the menu, and breakfast is offered for an additional charge. There's also a cocktail bar with decor inspired by the Far East, with a short menu of sandwiches and light bites. The bar hosts regular live music, and the restaurant has live jazz nights throughout the summer. 

For wellness, the full-service spa has several treatment rooms along with two saunas and a Turkish bath. Its hot tub is in a sunny space with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the pool (with a connecting door), and there's an adjacent bright fitness room but it only has a few pieces of equipment (including a treadmill and weight-training machines). There's 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space that can accommodate more than 500 guests, with eight meeting rooms and an additional eight smaller function rooms. On-site parking comes with a fee attached, but Wi-Fi is free throughout.