Ruby Lilou's opening in Marseille gives IHG travelers another central city option. I would judge it as a place to sleep, explore and perhaps work for a day, rather than assume the brand name guarantees the same experience as a full-service resort.
IHG's October 5 announcement describes 237 rooms, a rooftop terrace and a round-the-clock bar and cafe. It also introduces the neighboring Ruby Yani workspace. Our opening report covers the news; these are the checks I would make for a booking.
Pick the room for the people traveling
The hotel's room categories include Nest, Cosy, Lovely and Wow. Those names are not a substitute for reading the size, bed arrangement and occupancy limit of the exact room. A compact room can be a good choice for a solo city break and a poor fit for two people working from laptops.
I would check where the suitcase can go, whether the room suits both guests' sleep schedules and what the cancellation terms allow. If a specific feature is essential, ask the hotel to confirm it. A polished photo cannot show how every room layout will work for your trip.
Treat the workspace as a separate purchase
IHG describes Ruby Yani as a workspace with desks, offices and meeting areas, with day passes starting at €30 in the opening announcement. That does not mean every hotel booking includes a desk there. Confirm the current price, opening hours, access and availability before building a workday around it.
For a hypothetical two-day work visit, two €30 passes would add €60. Compare that with a room or hotel that already provides a suitable working setup. The right answer depends on whether you need a quiet call space, a comfortable desk or simply somewhere to answer email.
Verify the rewards on the actual rate
The release says IHG One Rewards members can book through the IHG app. Check the rate's earning and benefit terms there. Do not infer a breakfast entitlement, upgrade promise or award price from a general membership tier alone.
Our IHG award-charge guide can help compare a quoted award with cash. Use the same room and dates, include required charges and compare cancellation terms. A hotel opening announcement is not evidence that a reward night is available for your weekend.
Plan the city stay before adding extras
The hotel is positioned between the Vieux Port and La Joliette, with nearby transit described in the announcement. I would check the actual route from the airport or railway station for the arrival time. An evening arrival with bags is different from a daytime walk without luggage.
If Marseille is part of a cruise trip, confirm the ship's terminal and transfer separately. A central hotel and a cruise berth are not necessarily adjacent. The Cruise Frog port directory is a useful starting point for that wider plan.
My take is that Ruby Lilou looks most interesting for travelers who want a city base with social spaces and optional work facilities. Make the room, rate and daily routine fit first. Treat points earning as an extra benefit once the stay itself makes sense.
Keep planning
For more detail, read Ruby Lilou opens in Marseille, the Ruby brand's first hotel in France.
For more detail, read IHG’s 50-week booking window: align the hotel search with the whole trip.
For more detail, read IHG reward nights can still carry resort or service charges.
For more detail, read Repricing an IHG Reward Night: canceling first can lose the room.