Dominant Marseille City Hall and its Old PortThe Hotel InterContinental elegantly occupies the walls of the former Hôtel-Dieu, some of which date back to the 18th century. Open since 2013 and has since become a not-to-be-missed address in the cityIts 194 rooms recorded an occupancy rate of 70 % in 2017, with 60 % of its clientele being French. Foreign visitors, who kept a low profile after the Nice attack in July 2016, are now back, with a major American incentive already scheduled for 2019. This bodes well for the future, given that the Mice segment accounts for 40 % of the luxury hotel's business.
The InterContinental Marseille has just invested €1.5m to increase by 230 m2 its surface area dedicated to events by relocating administrative services under the roofs of this majestic building. Contemporary in design, these two new spaces have natural daylight and a fireplace for breaks. Located on the ground floor, behind the reception area, they mirror two other rooms on the other side of the lobby: the large Salle des Honneurs and a very old vaulted room used for cocktails and small meetings.
Third-largest events venue in Marseille
" The InterContinental is the city's biggest carrier and, at 1,230 m2, the largest conference centre in a 5* hotel with all the associated services. We now have 14 meeting rooms that can accommodate from 10 to 400 people in the large Salle des Honneurs." says Nicolas Lemouchoux, Sales and Marketing Director. In terms of surface area, this complex ranks third in Marseille, behind the Parc Chanot and the Palais du Pharo.
Although companies sometimes privatise the hotel, " the ideal size for a Mice group with accommodation is between 150 and 170 people" However, he believes that the hotel offers several different types of stay. A reasonable size, given that the InterContinental also offers its guests a wide menu of activities to try out between two business meetings: a visit to the Mucem, exploring Marseille on a Segway, a pétanque competition, olive oil or wine tasting, a rally in a 2CV through Provence, a hot-air balloon flight over lavender fields, creating a real Marseille soap... Not forgetting sailing regattas or a boat trip to the calanques or the Frioul islands.
Some of these sea or land escapades are duly complemented by meal baskets concocted by Lionel Levy's brigade. The Michelin-starred chef has just redesigned the cocktail menu for these events, inventing delicious little truffle paninis, curried falafels, succulent mini-burgers and foie gras macaroons, octopus salads and savoury cakes... A culinary experience and continue at its gourmet restaurant, L'Alcyone, which seats 30, or at the brasserie Les Fenêtres for its famous bouillabaisse milkshake.
" There's still something surprising about Marseille in general and the InterContinental in particular that appeals to businesses." concludes Madelijn Vervoord, General Manager of the hotel, which is already actively preparing for the opening of the InterContinental Lyon at the end of 2018, whose 144 rooms will also be housed in the former Hôtel-Dieu in the capital of Gaul.
