Location:

As the name implies the Radisson Blu (Old Port) is located directly next to the port overlooking the harbour area and the old stone walls of the city. At most times there are boats moored in this space and will dominate the arrival perception and views from the front of the hotel. The centre of the city is on the doorstep with Marseille-Saint-Charles airport 10 minutes by car. The coast and motorway routes to access areas such as Cannes are less than 5-minutes’ drive from the hotel. There is parking close to the hotel.

Design:

The exterior of the hotel contrasts somewhat with the old port location as it is of a modern contemporary design whilst integrating the light brown colours found in the stone walls and buildings to provide a blended old and new aspect. The feature pool area has a panoramic view of the port, harbour walls and the impressive Notre-Dame de Garde Cathedral which looks down from the hill overlooking the old port and the Radisson Blu hotel. The interior is that of a business hotel with the use of a few primary colours to highlight the Mediterranean location. Styling is contemporary, modern with some untypical furniture which personalises but does not lift the hotel to a high-end standard.

Meeting space:

There are 12 meeting rooms at the Radisson Blu Old Port with the largest room able to accommodate 200 persons with front projection supported by a wide range of rooms for small and medium sized breakouts. The design of the spaces follows the contemporary theme of the hotel with some floors having wooden floors and many in-built technology for an overall sleek and contemporary feel. All rooms are located on the 1st floor of the hotel, some with views to the harbour, others to the interior patio area.  

The hotel is, in our opinion, most suited to small to mid-size meetings for internal teams and side meetings when Marseille is used as the location for a medical society congress.

Sleeping rooms:

The hotel has a total of 189 rooms with 69 in a standard category. In our opinion premium rooms – executive as shown in our room breakdown summary, are likely to be appropriate for most external, HCP participant meetings. These rooms are generally considered premium due to the view to the old port or by their slightly larger size. Design is consistent with other areas of the hotel with muted colour schemes accented by some primary colours to provide a clean, executive styling.  All rooms are equipped with self-controlled air-conditioning, LCD, telephone as well as private bathroom with shower or bath, hairdryer, towels, free toiletries, ironing board, iron and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities.

Restaurant:

The Brasserie Le Quai du 7ème is the only restaurant at the Radisson Blu Marseille Vieux Port and is used for breakfast, lunch and dinner and can be used for meeting groups. This is also the location for the hotel bar which is open throughout the day. The restaurant uses a terrace, patio and the interior dining rooms to provide 180 seats serving local, fresh food. Some designer furniture elevates the restaurant to a comfortable space pleasing to the eye but not into the high-end category. 

Fitness:          

The hotel has a rooftop pool, separated in terms of access and visibility from the rest of the hotel, which includes a bar and an impressive view, particularly when lit at night, to the harbour, mountains and residential apartments that surround the rear of the hotel. There is a fitness room but no spa. 

Particular consideration ought to be given to the use of a location in the middle of an attractive port city and a hotel with even modest leisure facilities, without a clear business case and supporting meeting agenda. We note that many medical events take place in Marseille and with limited space in the city the Radisson Blu hosts many groups from the life sciences area during these meetings and as a standalone venue for internal events.