Where to stay Marseille? Mother plus adult daughter.

I stayed at the Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux-Port in 2017. I do not remember much about the hotel other than the fantastic view and proximity to all we wanted to see. We walked everywhere; the harbor is lively with tourists and locals. The room was very comfortable, with a balcony overlooking the port! I would stay there again.

I am going to Porto in September after a few days in the Douro Valley. Any dining or site recommendations?

Hi NYCMOM. I stayed in the old port area right near the port. I thought it was a great location for my short stay. Very walkable, many restaurants nearby. The tourist information office wal also near. Although I found Le Panier interesting and picturesque to walk around, I don't think I would choose to stay there; it is very hilly. Hotel Hermes, where I stayed, felt very safe, had friendly helpful front desk staff, an elevator, an option to pay extra for breakfast there which I did not do but I was able to have coffee in their breakfast room in the morning. It seemed nice to me for a 2 star very reasonably priced hotel and was recommended in the RS and Rough Guide books. However, as the reviews and listings note, the rooms are small which may be a concern for 2 people.

Regarding Le Panier, I concur: it is hilly and not particularly convenient as a place to stay. You can easily visit the Panier if you stay in the Vieux-Port area. La Résidence du Vieux Port, Escale Océania, Carré Vieux Port are solid options that are very conveniently located. If you budget stretches to the C2, it is a great hotel, too, despite being a bit further from the port.

I do not recommend the Novotel & Sofitel if you value walkability, even if they are very good hotels in their own right.
And I'd avoid options that are too close to the Belsunce and Noailles neighborhoods, as they don't necessarily feel clean and safe at all times (it's fine to visit Noailles in daytime, though!). This includes both Mercure hotels.

Another recommendation for Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux-Port - we have stayed there twice, the hotel has the most wonderful view and the staff are great. The rooms we had were quite spacious, and it was wonderful to sit out on the balcony and watch the world go by! We walked everywhere and really like this location.

In 2019, I stayed at Hotel Carre Vieux Port, 6 rue Beauvau. It was a short walk and a few steps to the metro for easy access to the airport. The location was great. I was in Marseille for the better part of 2 days and walked everywhere. I enjoyed the hotel as well, very comfortable, very good staff, but it's too long ago for a hearty recommendation.

Forgive me for going off topic a bit . I haven't made it to Marseille despite numerous trips to France , but watch this fine film set in Marseille - From the pen of Marcel Pagnol , the noted French writer and Auteur , The story of Fanny , Marius , and Cesar , from 1961 , " Fanny " with a stellar cast and directed by Joshua Logan . keep the Kleenex in reach - https://youtu.be/r5aMfg9-KSY?si=ahQH8IqSyHWWX1cq

Daniel Auteuil also redid Marius and Fanny in 2012 and they're both sublime. I did my thesis on Pagnol's trilogy.

My favorite hotel in Marseille is the Hôtel Beauvau on the Vieux-Port. Written on the entrance is a sign saying that Chopin once stayed there

Alexander , I've only been able to find some clips of it, I'll keep looking , I really would love to see it EDIT Just found it !! Region 2 DVD , but My player is region and code free , so no issue !

Big Pagnol fan here. Husband spent part of his childhood in Marseille living with a grandmother who was "une vrai Provencale", so we are fans of all things Pagnol. Since the Leslie Caron version of Fanny was made there were other films made based on some of his other works. In the 1980's "Jean de Florette" and "Manon de la Source" (Manon of the Spring) came out, both very evocative of the countryside around Marseille. And his memoires are captured in the movies made from his books "My Father's Glory" and "My Mother's Castle", in 1990. Try to find them to view. They are so, so touching and truly "provencal".
If you want to dive deeper, in the 1930's the story of Fanny was told in 3 films, "Marius", "Fanny" and "Cesar". The Leslie Caron version combines the three stories and is charming. Pagnol is also responsible for "The Butcher's Wife".
I advise watching any of them with a pastis or glass of chilled rose on a summer afternoon and transport yourself to the south of France. (Maybe with some olives or cornichons to nibble.)

One other quick note ( no pun intended ) In the credits for the Leslie Caron film , Harold Rome is credited for the music . This was an adaptation of a version he had written as a Broadway show in 1954 . When the film in 1961 was produced , the songs were removed and the music adapted to what is known as underscoring , and punctuates the film action with beauty and taste . PS - Judy , my wife and I are also fans of " Jean De Florette " and " Manon of the Spring "

Hubby lived in Marseille in the late 40's to early 50's, and can attest to the movie's quite accurate portrayal of the ambience around the Vieux Port, with the fishermen's activities, the character of the bar/tabacs (and the characters within!), the general atmosphere of the place. He would accompany his grandmother on her (almost) daily shopping trips for the day's meals. Yes, the women selling fish did call out their offerings. So did some produce merchants who didn't have their own shops. She would closely examine everything she bought, from whatever seller or market she was at, be it fish, fruit, vegetables, meat, baked goods. They would walk or take a bus to and from their apartment with the day's purchases in a string or cloth bag. It sounds cliched, but a cliche for a reason....that's what it was like back then! Wew experienced the same ambience (without the port) when we stayed for a time in a cabano in Aubagne in 1974. The cicadas would chirr really loudly sometimes, but the quality of the sunlight was something I will always remember, as well as the peace to be found there.

typo, cabanon, not cabano!

Steven (and anyone else interested),
Fanny (the 1961 version) is evidently streaming on Prime video.
The other four films I mentioned from the 1980's and 1990 are available to rent or buy at Prime video. Just in case anyone is interested.