Ruby Expands Its European Hospitality Footprint with Ruby Lilou Marseille and the First Ruby Workspaces Concept in France

Ruby has expanded into France with the opening of Ruby Lilou in Marseille, introducing the urban lifestyle hotel brand to the French hospitality market. The launch also brings the wider Ruby concept into the city, alongside the arrival of Ruby Workspaces in France. Drawing inspiration from Marseille’s mix of Mediterranean character, creative culture and independent spirit, Ruby Lilou has been designed to reflect its surroundings while maintaining the brand’s destination-focused hospitality approach.

The hotel occupies a strategic location between Marseille’s historic Vieux Port and the evolving La Joliette district, placing leisure and business travellers within convenient reach of several important areas of the city. The property combines contemporary interiors with relaxed communal areas and a rooftop terrace designed to make the most of Marseille’s sunny Mediterranean setting.

Guests are also positioned close to Le Panier, widely regarded as Marseille’s oldest neighbourhood and known for its narrow streets, colourful architecture and distinctive local atmosphere. From the hotel, visitors can conveniently explore the waterfront, cultural attractions, cafés and other parts of Marseille’s expanding creative scene. Its proximity to La Joliette also provides practical access for corporate travellers visiting the city’s established business district.

Beyond central Marseille, the location provides a useful starting point for discovering the wider Mediterranean destination. Travellers can explore the city’s art, food, heritage and harbour areas or venture towards the Calanques, renowned for their dramatic limestone landscapes and clear Mediterranean waters.

Public transport connections further strengthen the hotel’s accessibility. Joliette metro station is around three minutes away on foot, while Marseille Saint-Charles railway station can be reached in approximately five minutes by metro. Travellers arriving by air can reach the property from Marseille Provence Airport in roughly 45 minutes using public transport.

With its central position, social spaces and strong connection to Marseille’s urban identity, Ruby Lilou represents a significant step in Ruby’s expansion into France while adding another lifestyle accommodation option to the Mediterranean port city.

Michael Struck, Founder and CEO of Ruby Group, said: “Opening Ruby Lilou marks an important milestone for us as we debut the Ruby brand in France. Marseille is a city with a strong sense of identity, creativity, and authenticity, making it a natural fit for Ruby. Together with Ruby Yani Workspaces, we have created a destination that reflects the character of the city while offering guests, workspace members and locals a place to stay, work and connect. We are excited to become part of Marseille’s vibrant community and look forward to welcoming many guests.”

Lauren Krostue, Vice President, Global Brand Management, Ruby, said: “Marseille is a city that thrives on contrast, where heritage meets creativity, and laid-back Mediterranean living sits alongside a bold independent spirit. With Ruby Lilou, we wanted to capture that unique energy, creating a place that feels deeply rooted in its surroundings while offering the thoughtful design, comfort and character guests expect from Ruby.”

Here is a fully rewritten, original version with the same factual meaning and a polished travel-industry tone:

La Belle Re-Belle

Marseille has never been a city that simply follows convention. As France’s oldest city and its largest port, the Mediterranean destination has developed through centuries of migration, maritime trade, cultural encounters and constant reinvention. Instead of the refined glamour commonly associated with the nearby Côte d’Azur, Marseille offers a more energetic personality shaped by its working harbour, Mediterranean setting and relaxed Provençal lifestyle.

This distinctive character provides the creative foundation for Ruby Lilou. The hotel’s interiors draw inspiration from the landscapes and colours surrounding Marseille, blending shades reminiscent of Provence’s lavender fields, weathered stone and the blue Mediterranean with striking patterns, stronger colour accents and playful design elements. References to the city’s independent and unconventional creative scene are incorporated throughout the property, giving the hotel a clear sense of place while maintaining Ruby’s established design-focused hospitality concept.

The property comprises 237 guestrooms, divided across the Nest, Cosy, Lovely and Wow categories. Each room has been designed to make efficient use of available space without sacrificing comfort. Elements inspired by luxury yacht interiors connect the accommodation with Marseille’s long maritime tradition.

Guestrooms include oversized beds, walk-in rainfall showers and blackout curtains, alongside carefully selected furnishings and decorative details. The overall design combines contemporary functionality with visual references to the port city, creating accommodation intended to feel modern while remaining connected to Marseille’s cultural and maritime identity.

Ruby Lilou also follows the brand’s wider approach to urban hospitality, targeting travellers looking for centrally located accommodation with distinctive interiors and digitally supported services. Rather than functioning solely as a place to sleep, the property incorporates social, cultural and lifestyle elements designed to connect visitors with the character of the destination.

Music forms an important part of that experience. Curated music programmes and evening live performances complement Marshall amplifiers and Bluetooth speakers in guestrooms, creating another connection between the property and Marseille’s active cultural scene.

A central feature of the hotel is its 24-hour bar and café, which operates throughout the day and night. The venue serves barista-prepared coffee, regional wines, cocktails and light food in an informal environment designed for both hotel guests and social gatherings.

Another major feature is the hotel’s 300-square-metre rooftop terrace. Offering broad views across Marseille towards the Mediterranean, the outdoor area provides a social space where visitors can spend time from the morning through to the evening. The terrace is intended to serve both travellers and local visitors, strengthening the property’s connection with the surrounding city.

Ruby Yani Workspace Brings a New Working Concept to Marseille

Opening alongside Ruby Lilou is Ruby Yani, which marks the introduction of the Ruby Workspaces concept in France. Operated by The Ruby Group, the workspace extends the development beyond conventional hotel accommodation by combining hospitality, professional working facilities and social spaces within the same destination.

Ruby Yani provides more than 126 flexible workstations, alongside private offices, dedicated meeting rooms, phone booths and shared communal areas. The facilities have been developed for a broad range of users, including freelancers, entrepreneurs, companies and guests staying at the adjoining hotel.

The concept places particular emphasis on flexibility and interaction. Work areas are designed to accommodate everything from an individual requiring a desk for one day to professionals seeking regular coworking facilities or businesses needing dedicated office space.

Workspace members can also use the hotel’s rooftop terrace, allowing working, networking and leisure activities to overlap within the development. This shared access creates a closer relationship between Ruby Lilou’s hospitality facilities and Ruby Yani’s professional environment.

Membership options begin at EUR 60 per month, while day passes start from EUR 30. The different access options allow users to select arrangements according to how frequently they require the workspace and the type of working environment they need.

Together, Ruby Lilou and Ruby Yani establish a mixed-use hospitality destination in Marseille where accommodation, coworking, dining and social experiences operate alongside one another. The development reflects a wider approach to contemporary urban hospitality in which hotels increasingly serve as places to stay, work, meet and spend leisure time rather than functioning exclusively as overnight accommodation.

Room rates at Ruby Lilou start from EUR 130 per night for single occupancy, including breakfast. Reservations can be made through the hotel’s booking channels, while eligible travellers can also arrange stays through the IHG One Rewards platform and mobile application.