This 19th-century house, now home to a unique hotel at the gateway to Marseille’s Calanques, became part of the Racine family in the 1980s. In 2012, Alice and William decided to transform it into a charming hotel just steps from the beaches and Calanques, sharing with guests the joy they experience every day. Surrounded by nature and passionate about gastronomy, wine, sewing, and travel, they share all their loves with their guests.
You’ll be welcomed under a century-old plane tree in this beautiful Marseille property. Enjoy homemade breakfasts crafted by Alice & William in a summer-style veranda or on the terrace when the weather is fine. The elegant lounge invites you on a literary stroll with guidebooks and beautiful books on Marseille and the region.
In the wooded park among the oaks, you may spot the hills of the Calanques National Park, inviting you to explore Mediterranean trails. The park also features a pool and sauna for unwinding after a sunny day out. A kitchen garden and orchard, serenaded by titmice and nightingales, provide seasonal inspiration for the hotel’s cuisine.
The various buildings of this unique accommodation blend harmoniously into the sun-drenched Provençal landscape, built with wood and concrete for good insulation and low energy use. Green roofs provide natural coolness in summer, while underfloor heating brings gentle warmth in winter. Ground-floor rooms with terraces offer peaceful retreats, while upstairs rooms boast stunning views of the Calanques. Each room’s interior has been carefully designed by Atelier 5A to reflect a part of the Racine family’s character.
Acquired in the late 1980s, the property at “96 chemin de La Soude” is now home to four generations of the Racine family. Once a humble caretaker’s lodge, it charmed the family patriarch with its unlikely strawberry fields in this hidden garden district of Marseille. Initially moved in with their two children, Alice and William later welcomed their grandmother in the late 1990s.
Now in their 40s, the children have families of their own, and four generations live (almost) under one roof in this peaceful park.
As for their dear grandmother, the attic quickly became the sewing and inspiration studio for the women of the family. Lampshades, dresses, curtains – any excuse brought together the grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter late into the night. For the men dreaming of travel, a large garage became a creative hub for adventures, from sailing to motorbiking through the Moroccan desert, Vietnam’s mountains, or Greece’s turquoise waters.
So, it’s no surprise that the third generation’s somewhat crazy idea to turn the family home into a hotel was welcomed with open arms:
“We were born here, left to build our lives, and came back… We wanted to make this place what it’s always been – a place full of life, that reflects us, brings people together, where we can enjoy nature, good wine, and meaningful connections… a truly unforgettable place,” say inseparable siblings Alice and William.
True builders at heart, involved in every decision, they poured a bit of themselves into every corner of the 17 rooms and the suite of this family hotel – a reflection of who they are and what they love. Passionate about food, travel, and Provence, they’ve dedicated this new living space in Marseille to sharing their daily joys and insider secrets. They’ll show you their offbeat Marseille – beyond the clichés and into the city’s hidden gems – making your stay truly unforgettable.
