nhow Marseille, France
Cliffside Modernism Where Contemporary Art Meets the Mediterranean
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A landmark 1970s seaside hotel has been reinvented through bold contemporary design by Teresa Sapey, Claire Fatosme, and Christian Lefèvre.
● Dramatic cliffside terraces, panoramic sea views, and an exceptional wellness area create a rare combination of city hotel and coastal resort.
● Local street art, playful installations, and the celebrated Sky Bar capture Marseille’s creative, rebellious spirit without losing sight of the sea.
A Marseille Icon Reimagined
Perched on the Corniche Kennedy, nhow Marseille has overlooked the Mediterranean for decades. Originally opened as the Palm Beach Hotel in the 1970s, the building has evolved through several identities before becoming nhow Marseille. Its cascading terraces descend naturally towards the water, creating uninterrupted views that make the city feel unexpectedly distant. The setting is unmistakably urban. Yet entirely immersed in the sea.
Design with Character
Rather than smoothing away Marseille’s rough edges, the designers chose to celebrate them. Italian architect Teresa Sapey worked alongside French architects Claire Fatosme and Christian Lefèvre to create interiors inspired by the city’s contrasts. Graffiti derived from the artistic Cours Julien district, contemporary artworks, colourful furniture, neon installations, and playful references to maritime life transform the hotel into a living gallery. The atmosphere is bold. But never superficial. Every intervention reflects something of Marseille itself.
Rooms Facing the Mediterranean
The guestrooms embrace the coastline. Large windows and private balconies frame uninterrupted sea views, while crisp white interiors are punctuated by vibrant yellow accents, sailcloth-inspired headboards, and subtle graphic references to the city’s street culture. The Penthouse Suite takes the concept further with split-level living spaces, contemporary artworks, and its own whisky bar. The sea remains visible. From almost every angle.
Life Around the Water
Wellness plays an equally important role. Indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzis, sensory showers, a hammam, and generous terraces create a resort atmosphere rarely found within a major city. Below, the pool deck blends naturally into the rocky coastline, encouraging guests to move effortlessly between swimming, sunbathing, and long Mediterranean afternoons. The pace slows immediately. Without leaving Marseille behind.
The City’s Most Spectacular Sunset
The Sky Bar has become one of Marseille’s defining gathering places. Above the bar floats Frances Bromley’s remarkable installation of 4,000 steel sardines—a witty tribute to the city’s maritime identity. As daylight fades, floor-to-ceiling glass and panoramic terraces frame one of the finest sunset views on the Mediterranean coast. Downstairs, the restaurant continues the same relaxed rhythm with seasonal Mediterranean cuisine served overlooking both the pool and the sea. The experience feels generous. Effortlessly social.
Why It Works
nhow Marseille succeeds because it embraces the contradictions that define the city itself. Contemporary art, graffiti, colourful interiors, dramatic architecture, and expansive sea views combine to create a hotel that feels both cosmopolitan and unmistakably local. It is playful without losing sophistication, proving that Marseille’s rebellious energy and Riviera beauty can coexist under one remarkable roof.
