A large outdoor pool, a covered pool in the spa, or both: hotels are often the best equipped for a warm swim. In Marseille and Cassis, warm water is found in the spas of central hotels, on a few heated terraces and in houses to rent near the calanques. Here are the 8 hotels I've selected in Marseille and Cassis, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed, Les Bords de Mer – Fontenille Collection and Hôtel C2.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
8 places shown
The pool. Covered pool, with a few spa treatments, according to Staycation and Expedia. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Ratings vary: Expedia shows 7.8/10.
Guide's tip. Handy for a stay near the station and the Joliette harbour. Ask about the pool temperature.
The pool. Two pools: a rooftop pool open in season and a heated indoor pool in the spa, with sauna and hammam (ViaMichelin). Staycation also advertises a heated pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. ViaMichelin shows 9.1/10 from Booking guests.
Guide's tip. Out of season, count on the spa's indoor pool rather than the rooftop one.
The pool. Indoor pool set within the spa, with hot tub, according to Expedia and The Hotel Guru. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Hot tub in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Kayak shows 8.9/10 from 1,125 reviews.
Guide's tip. The pool is small and located in the spa: check its access hours when you book.
The pool. Indoor pool in the spa, with sauna and hot tub, according to Expedia. Staycation also mentions the indoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Hot tub in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Staycation shows 9.4/10 from 667 reviews.
Guide's tip. For a covered pool right in the centre, this is the simplest option. Ask about the water temperature if you plan on long swims.
The pool. Heated outdoor pool, with a spa and a jacuzzi looking out over the Old Port, according to Escapio. The opening period isn't stated.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is open-air: get it confirmed that it's open and heated on your dates.
The pool. Seasonal outdoor pool, advertised as heated in the property's name (Kayak, Logitravel). Expedia also reports a private indoor pool in some rooms.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. If you want to swim out of season, book a room with a private indoor pool and get this specified.
The pool. Two outdoor pools, one of them an infinity pool; the list of amenities includes a heated pool. The hotel closes from 4 January to 2 April.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. No dates are given for the heating: ask which pools are heated at the start and end of the season.
The pool. Palm-fringed heated outdoor pool, with hammam and sauna, according to Staycation.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Under its former name, Kayak shows 8.0/10 from 2,277 reviews.
Guide's tip. The pool is open-air: ask about the heating period before you book.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed (Hotel), with 8.7/10 (512 reviews · Staycation). Next come Les Bords de Mer – Fontenille Collection (9.5/10) and Hôtel C2 (9.4/10).
None of the places selected in Marseille and Cassis clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. At Hôtel Particulier Cassis (HPC Suites), heating is seasonal (in season). Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed, Les Bords de Mer – Fontenille Collection and Hôtel C2 have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in Marseille and Cassis gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
Yes: Hôtel C2, InterContinental Marseille – Hôtel-Dieu and Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Les Jardins de Cassis | Outdoor pool advertised as heated, jacuzzi and sauna at extra cost | 8,4/10 | One traveller found the water cold (Travelocity) |
| Pamela Hôtel Cassis (Royal Cottage) | Seasonal outdoor pool, heating not stated | 8,6/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Novotel Marseille Vieux-Port | Outdoor pool facing the port | 8,0/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| New Hotel of Marseille | Outdoor pool | 8,6/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| nhow Marseille | Outdoor pool on the Corniche | 7,9/10 | Rating too low (Kayak) and heating not confirmed |
| Villages Clubs du Soleil Marseille | Pool | 7,6/10 | Rating too low (Kayak) |
Sources: Travelocity, Kayak, Kayak.
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