Tuba Club Review | Hotels Above Par
"Perched on a rocky outcrop in a small fishing village about a 40-minute drive from Marseille’s center, I found Tuba Club to be a waterfront five-star boutique hotel that opened in 2020 in a converted scuba-diving club. Removed from the city's frenzy, it quickly became a coveted hangout for locals, creatives, and travelers—rumor even has it that designer Jacquemus counts it among his favorites—and its “beach” is really a sun-drenched rock with a ladder into the sea, complete with the now-iconic yellow-striped loungers. Marion Mailaender’s minimalist-but-playful design (“Less is more, too much is cool”) fills the spaces with upcycled furniture, Togo couches, oversized plants, seashells, old books and graphic prints, evoking a nostalgic 1970s beach hut that feels like a design-savvy friend’s living room. With only eight sea-view rooms full of natural light, sisal carpeting, dark wood paneling, crisp white linens and playful touches like old flippers or fishing buoys on the walls, the rooms feel like a laid-back summer beach house; the pastel blue-tiled bathrooms, equipped with a water hose instead of a conventional shower head, are a favorite. Chef Sylvain Roucayrol’s Mediterranean menu leans on raw preparations—amberjack sashimi, sea bass crudo, bluefin tuna sliced with surgical precision—and a signature whole fish grilled over an open flame; presentation is a focus, as in the turbot-and-radish dish plated to mimic fish scales. For a more relaxed vibe, the open-air terrasse Bikini is perfect for sparkling wine, oysters, small plates and the occasional dip between bites. Amenities are curated toward the sea—paddleboards, canoes, complimentary masks and snorkels, local fishing-boat excursions—and instead of a formal spa you can enjoy free thalassotherapy and rooftop yoga; with the Calanques National Park at the doorstep, it’s also an ideal base for boat trips to secluded beaches. My favorite thing about staying here is that it truly feels like you’ve rented a beach house with your best friends; rooms start from around $260 per night."
