Like so many of our hotels, Maison9 has a charming hostess and, of course, a story to go with it. Cynthia Kayser-Maus, originally from Hamburg, fell in love with this property on a visit to Cassis long ago. But the 19th-century Provençal dream house was not for sale. Years later, back in this beautiful coastal town on vacation, she was offered a house with hardly any details attached. It turned out to be the very orange villa she had fallen for back then.
That was in 2007, and she decided to turn the wonderful house into a luxurious bed-and-breakfast, one that would meet her own (high) standards. Her talent for turning rooms into hideaways certainly helped, as did knowing where to source high-quality materials.
And so the former vacation home became a creative little hotel with four wonderful suites, each with its own terrace, spread generously around the house. The great thing is that you get lots of privacy and never feel as if you are in a hotel, thanks in large part to the glorious garden, which is really more of a park. Add to that a large swimming pool with a view of the famous Cap Canaille cliffs, the chirping of cicadas and the scent of lavender and rosemary. The fountain gurgles, and above the pool there is room for a round of pétanque.
The most incredible thing about this house is its location. You are in Cassis, yet completely surrounded by nature: vineyards, hills and cliffs. In the morning, the sun filters through the plants and vines of the neighboring estates onto the breakfast terrace. Simply beautiful.
The Suites
The four suites are all beautifully furnished and vary in size. The main house has a two-story duplex suite (Suite 3), with the bathroom and a kitchenette with an espresso machine downstairs and the bedroom upstairs. Since we stayed in it ourselves, we can recommend it firsthand. Even the art on the walls is very stylish.
The Surroundings
Cassis is a quintessentially beautiful French seaside town, with elegant villas and plenty of restaurants and bars right on the harbor. There are lots of little shops and, of course, lots of tourists in summer. From Maison9, it is about a 12-minute walk to the old town and 15 minutes to the beach. Cassis has three beaches and coves of its own, which naturally get very busy in summer.
A trip up to Cap Canaille is a must, whether by car, by bike or on foot straight from the house. We would also recommend a day in Marseille (25 minutes by car) or Aix-en-Provence (35 minutes). The nice thing about Maison9 is that after a day in the hustle and bustle of the city, you come back to your own personal oasis of calm.
Prices
Rooms and suites from 310 to 450 euros per night, including breakfast, depending on the season.
Booking & Contact
Maison9
Cynthia Kayser-Maus
9 Av. du Dr Yves Bourdes
13260 Cassis
France
