Set on a busy, tree-line street dotted with shops and restaurants, the four-story, pale stone building appears elegant and classic. Inside the mood shifts to youthful and trendy, with a lobby covered in old records and music posters, and outfitted with red vinyl couches and spotlight-style lamps. The whole vibe is somewhat reminiscent of a recording studio, with lavender barstools pulled up to a small lobby bar. In the Gains Bar and restaurant, an Andy Warhol-style cartoon mural occupies one wall, and pink-cushioned plexiglass chairs at two-person tables have a futuristic, fast-food restaurant flair. The lobby toilet area has its own electric guitar and amp, but the music theme dies in the spartan guest rooms. 

Situated in central Marseille, the hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the main harbor, and about a 10 minutes' walk from the colorful Cour Julien neighborhood with its many ethnic restaurants and shops. Plages des Catalans is the nearest beach, about a half-hour away on foot, or less than 10 minutes by car. The Notre Dame du Mont Cours Julien Metro station is about five minutes away on foot, and from there it's not far to the main train station, Gare de Marseille Saint Charles, where guests can catch a half-hour bus to the airport. The airport is about a 25-minute drive or taxi ride from the hotel itself. 

There are only 10 rooms at the Music Hotel and it must be noted that they are quite bland, especially when compared to the hip and colorful recording studio theme in the lobby and restaurant. All are air-conditioned, however, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and hairdryers. The bathrooms are remarkably spacious, though showers can get messy as there are no curtains or doors around them. The rooms are mostly long and narrow and rather spartan, with neutral carpeting and touches of pale wood paneling behind the beds; colorful mini-lamps and dark striped curtains are the only real decorative touches. 

The hotel's full-service Gains Bar is open from lunchtime until late-night, and the restaurant offers a simple continental breakfast (for a fee). Reception is open 24 hours, though some guests have been left waiting outside on the street for staffers to answer the buzzer. There are a couple of on-site parking spots that can be reserved in advance. The hotel has meeting rooms available. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, though guests must request the password daily.