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Marseille’s InterContinental Hotel Is THE Place To Make Memories

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Let me tell you about a little miracle that happened to me at the InterContinental  hotel in Marseille last month.

I was sitting in their outdoor restaurant, having lunch, when I looked up, very unexpectedly, and who did I see? My husband Bill.

Now, let me just say – it’s not unusual to see him. Ever. But I had taken a car over to the InterContinental Hotel, to write about the property and its Clarins spa, and had absolutely no plans to meet up with my husband there. He, of his own volition, decided on a whim, while I was away,  to take a shuttle bus into Marseille to get to an ATM. We were traveling on Regent Seven Seas Voyager, one of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships. Bill wandered around town, aimlessly, not having any luck finding a bank. He kept stopping into stores to ask people where he could find a bank. He stumbled around, in an unsuccessful quest to get Euros. He had no idea where he was going.

And then he looked up unexpectedly and  as he told me, saw one of the most beautiful buildings he had ever seen. He assumed it was a government building. Some kind of palace. Or an embassy.  And then he saw the sign: Intercontinental Hotel.  He couldn’t believe it. So of course he entered the building and proceeded to ask everyone where he might find me. I was sitting at lunch, flabbergasted that in all of Marseille,  France’s second-largest city, he had stumbled upon me. My jaw dropped. He found me here, in  the Gateway to Provence.

That’s the kind of place the InterContinental is. It makes memories.

From the moment you see it.

The InterContinental Marseille Hotel-Dieu, situated atop the Panier in the oldest area of Marseille, is the city’s most luxurious hotel. Its massive staircases, vaulted passages and magnificent terraces all bear witness to the former status of the building:  The Hôtel-Dieu, a superb 18th century edifice, inaugurated by Napoleon III, in person. This classified historical monument, with its unique setting, offers an inimitable view of the landmark Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, (lovingly referred to as “La Bonne Mere”) while firmly seated in the present-day, modern and very contemporary Marseille. The MuCEM (museum for Europe and the Mediterranean) that opened its doors in 2013, is a short walk away, as are the old Joliette Docks with their energetic business quarter, shopping outlets and ever-growing trade and commerce. The Hôtel-Dieu continues to stand tall above the city, as it has done for centuries. It is an ideal venue for anyone wishing to really get to know Marseille, both past and present. The award-winning property opened its doors in April 2013 and has rapidly gained recognition as the flagship of the Marseille luxury hotel industry. And, making the hotel even more desirable is that it is situated in a town – Marseille – that is famous for having more than 300 days of sunshine every year.

Luxury From The Word “Go.”

The InterContinental Marseille Hôtel-Dieu has 194 rooms including 15 suites, with the Presidential being “the best room in the house.” Its 72 splendid rooms either offer panoramic views of the Vieux Port or include private terraces overlooking the historic heart of the city. The well-known architect, Jean-Philippe Nuel, who continues to be renowned for luxury hotels and who executed the transformation here, has evoked the spirit and the centuries-long history of the former Hôtel Dieu in the present-day construction. The mineral tones echo those of the city and its ancient monuments, while the influence of the sea and the Mediterranean basin, the very cradle of civilization, are plain for all to see.

And as you would expect, there is great cuisine to be found here. Marseille and all it stands for is all-present and in its element in the food served in the InterContinental.  Les Fenêtres restaurant which caters to 80, boasts a magnificent terrace with an exceptional view, while the gastronomic Alcyone, catering for 40, is the proud holder of a Michelin star since February 2014. Head chef is Lionel Levy, who is leader in the field of modern Marseille gastronomy. Chef Levy has been a Michelin-starred chef since 2005 and settled in Marseille 13 years ago following his culinary studies with Éric Fréchon and  the inimitable Alain Ducasse. One of the special goodies I enjoyed here was the classic orange-blossom biscuits that the city of Marseille is famous for. Mais oui, they are delicious. Another example of classic cuisine here is the bouillabaisse milkshake, a creamy concoction that is a must-try. I personally sampled the “Bien-Etre” (well-being) menu created by Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins (the Managing Director of Clarins, the famous beauty brand that he founded in 1954) and Chef Levy. It featured Mediterranean sea bass tartare; a spring vegetable casserole; and dessert of chocolate with tonka beans and licorice ice cream. Topped by a homemade iced tea, it was all the essence of deliciousness. (I just love it when you visit a renowned spa that also serves healthy spa food).

The Spa Who Loved Me

Dr. Courtin-Clarins once said that, “Taking time for a facial or body treatment is not a luxury but a necessity in today’s world. At Clarins, our mission has always been to ensure your well-being and to enhance your beauty.” I thrilled to my visit at the spa – a space of light and serenity. 

The beautiful spa features a luxurious indoor pool, two saunas, a hammam and five treatment rooms and of course the distinctive range of Clarins beauty products.

The Marseille Spa is the first-ever care and beauty treatment center from Clarins to open in the city of Marseille and indeed the first-ever partnership between the brand and an InterContinental hotel in France.

Among the care and beauty treatments available, here’s a special shout-out for the “Clarins en Provence” treatment, exclusive to the InterContinental Marseille Hôtel-Dieu. It includes a hammam, a plant-based exfoliation and a rejuvenating massage with lavender pouches. The result is a wondrous sense of well-being and harmony that’s like a siesta beneath an ancient olive tree.

I had a facial with one of Clarins’ newest products – a double-duty moisturizer that is twice-as-nice as anything else I’ve ever tried, the Plant Gold Nutri-Revitalizing Oil Emulsion. The bottle is double-barreled so that oil and cream are dispensed simultaneously. You simply rub them together and apply them to your face and décolletage. It is free of chemical preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and coloring agents. It’s great for thirsty skin, and I highly recommend it when you’re flying in an airplane, where the air is completely dehydrating. It is also something to be slathered on clean skin after you arrive in your hotel room after a long flight. 

A little background on Clarins: It is said to be the Number One prestige skincare brand in Europe, and a leader in the field of plant science and technology. Among its many attributes, it has partnered with Pur Projet – with more than 440,000 trees planted – and FEED, with more than 30 million school meals provided to children in need, by the end of 2019. That’s impressive.

The range of treatments offered in the spa is equally impressive, featuring signature facials, body treatments, pamperings just for men, and of course, massages.

There is also a fitness center that enjoys natural daylight and offers an inimitable view of the Vieux-Port. It is equipped with high-quality Technogym equipment.

With all that is offered, it is quite simple. You can enter looking (and feeling) like Gerard Depardieu – but you’ll exit as Catherine Deneuve. Long live the spa!

TODAY’S TRAVEL TIP

Whenever I go on the road, I always pack smart snacks, because I just hate it when my stomach is rumbling. I like a high-protein snack to fill me up – not out – and I believe it’s been one of the smart tactics that has kept me a size four my whole life – and one spent in countless airplanes and hotel rooms. I just discovered Built Bars, and they are sensational. Especially the chocolate-coconut – you’d swear you’re eating a decadently delicious Mounds bar.

What makes these protein bars so distinctively different is that each only has a minimal 110 calories and a whopping 15 grams of protein. When I’m running around in Paris, or New York, I always wind up eating one between meals as a quick pick-me-up. But it lets you “eat petite.” People rave about them, and each has only three Weight Watchers points. Other attributes: Built Bars are made with whey protein isolate (which few individuals are sensitive to); contain water-soluble fiber that, they say, your body doesn’t actually digest; and has zero-calorie erythritol, a naturally occurring compound. Best of all, each is covered in a delicious dark chocolate. There’s a wide range available, including a new black cherry, and favorites such as salted caramel and double-chocolate mousse. So why not do yourself a flavor? They’re a sweet treat – at 35,000 feet.

For more on my Wanderlust travels, follow me on Instagram at @Debbikickham.

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