Seaside casual hotel near Marseille with ‘70s glam vintage vibe

Tuba Club / Marseille / France

Like a good parent I love all ”my” hotels. And I know I shouldn’t have favorites but it is so difficult when staying at hotels like Tuba Club. This is totally my place. It has everything I am looking for in a hotel. I know I am getting ahead of myself. Let me start from the beginning.

Tuba Club is located in the Marseille neighborhood Les Goudes, It is more like a fishing village than a suburban area. It is right on the border of the are called Les Calanques, a stunning region with limestone cliffs that soar above the turquise sea.

Tuba Club was founded by two friends, Greg Gassa and Fabrice Denizot. And to help with the interior design they hired their childhood friend Marion Mainlander who also grew up here in Marseille. The hotel got is name from a previous life as a scuba diving centre and the doors opened in July 2020 and became an instant hit, especially with the local hipster crowd and France’s creative set.

One of the best things is that there are only 5 rooms at Tuba Club and the style is best described as some kind of 70s casual chic. I love the use of intense colors like sunny yellow, warm ochre, bold orange and cool blue which is a great way to bring in colors you come across outside of the hotel. According to designer Mainlander she was looking to bring in some nostalgia by honoring the classic French cabanon, fishing shed.

I know this is a long entry but I just have to mention the restaurant since it such a big part of the hotel and a huge hit among the locals. Make sure you book a table even if you are staying at the hotel since people come from all over to enjoy the seafood with a side of seafront view and sunset. And you know what, shoes are totally optional.

The entrance to Tuba Club is very discreet. When we were staying here there was some construction ongoing. They are expanding the club into the building next door and adding a villa to their boutique hotel.

The retro vibe in the lounge is everything. Love the pattern on the cushions.

Our small, cute room. The ceiling height was so low in most of the room that I had to bend but I didn’t care. It just made it even cozier.

The bathroom is so cleverly done. And it I looks so good. Like the detail with the yellow tinted window letting in light to the toilet/shower.

Two old post cards pinned to the bathroom wall.

The soap and the rest of the bath room products are ecological and done locally. So great when hotels do what they can to minimize their footprint.

Tuba Club has literally sitting right on the water. I know I am biased but I love this photo. The light, the hazy focus, the random people doing their thing and the glittering water.

This is where I spent my afternoons when the sun wasn’t as fierce. That isn’t completely true. Most of the time was spent in the water cooling off.

Dinner service is about to begin. Talk about a table with a view.

M said that he thought this photo summarize what Tuba is all about and I agree. Old and new in (what seem to be) a haphazard mix (but of course it isn’t). Something old, something new and always a bottle of something to drink nearby.

M is enjoying dinner at Tuba Club as the sun sets over the Mediterranean.

Early bird gets the best spot for breakfast. Love breakfast “al fresco”.

I always applaud use of bold colors, like the electric orange here in the bathrooms in the restaurant.

The Calanques where Tuba Club is located is a coastal massif between Marseilles and Cassis. A stunning stretch of nature with dramatic peaks, and coves with crystal clear water.

We followed the coastal trail to one of the coves called Calanque de Marseilleveyre.

The goal of our hike, Calanque de Marseilleveyre. The dip was so needed and the lunch in the (only) restaurant on the beach was divine.

M hiking in the sweltering heat along the rocky path heading back to Tuba Club. Guess if a swim in the sea was the first thing we did when back. Easy question.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…are a person that just love to hang out. If you like your service to be casual but still inclusive and welcoming. If you love staying right by the water and don’t mind great food, especially seafood, than this is totally your place.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the location. I know it is maybe a boring choice but it is so rare that you get to stay at a tiny boutique hotel that is right by the water. Where you can get from your room into the wet stuff in less than a minute. Since we stayed here in July during a heat wave this was something we really valued. Another favorite thing is the personable service. Super casual and relaxed. It almost felt like staying with friends.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…to hike along the coast to one of the coves nearby. We followed a rocky path to Le Calanque de Marseilleveyre. The hike itself was beautiful and since it took us fairly high up on the cliffs we got some really good views of the sea and the islands. But the best thing was the reward when reaching our goal, a small cove with crystal clear water where we had the best dip ever. And on the tiny beach there is a small restaurant with mismatching umbrellas serving the most delicious food.

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