Casa Honore

A designer B&B with a very cool pool, tucked away in a back street close to the famous Vieux Port

Marseille is a vibrant city: full of attitude, defiantly independent, far prettier than you might imagine. Towering above it is the Basilique Notre Dame, one of those iconic landmarks that follow you around wherever you go. At its centre is the Vieux Port – a natural harbour into which the Greeks sailed in 600BC, thus founding the city. Fast-forward 2,500 years and you find this indisputably hip B&B two streets up from the water. It hides behind a nondescript front door - just like the city, you must scratch beneath the surface to discover its beauty.

At the heart of the minimalist home is a swimming-pool courtyard, flanked by a jungle of palms, bougainvillea and banana trees. White-walled interiors hold cool furniture, contemporary art, colour-mixed concrete floors and walls of glass. Rooms are equally quirky. Two are big, two are small, all have courtyard views, stylish bathrooms and comfy beds dressed in smart linen. It’s no surprise to find that Annick’s restaurant two doors down the street is just as distinctive. It doubles as a chic shop, but the food’s good, too.

Highs

• The lush, courtyard pool hidden away in the middle of the city
• Interiors are a real surprise – it’s as if you’re in a contemporary art installation
• You’re in the centre of town, you won’t need your car while you’re here
• The relaxed atmosphere, heaven to return to after a day's sightseeing

Lows

• There’s a bit of noise: footsteps chime on ceramic floors, the occasional door slams
• Bathrooms look good, but our shower head didn’t fit its hook and needed to be held
• The sitting room is not strictly for guests to use, which seems unwelcoming
• Pool hours are restricted, 10am-6pm
• The small bedrooms are fine for a night, but any longer and you’d feel closed in