Mama Shelter

Location

Mama Shelter is a quirky boutique hotel that attracts young groups and couples. The hotel is situated at 109 rue de Bagnolet in the 20th arrondissement. This area is outside the tourist hub of central Paris but there are 3 metro stops nearby, all on different lines and within walking distance of the hotel. These provide effective links to the rest of the city. If you are visiting Paris for the first time and want to be surrounded by the Parisian attractions that feature in your average guidebook, this may not be the place for you. However, if the idea of exploring a lesser known, but up-and-coming area of town excites you then Mama Shelter is your best option.

Hotel staff will provide you with a guide to their favorite hidden gems, from restaurants and bars to trendy tearooms, vintage stores and local theatres. The area also boasts several one off attractions. These include the famous La Flèche d’Or music venue, which is just across the street from Mama Shelter and is a Mecca for live music fans. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the tranquil Le Père Lachaise cemetery, where the likes of Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde were buried, is not far away and lays claim to being the world’s most visited graveyard.

Rooms

Mama Shelter is the epitome of cool and rooms are reasonably priced for the boutique hotel experience on offer. Philippe Starck designed the modern, ultra-chic interiors and each of the 172 rooms is unique. Design eccentricities include cartoon character lampshades, avant-garde artworks and black carpets with what appears to be silver marker pen scribbles on them. The rooms are unquestionably unconventional but remain impeccably stylish at all times.

Neither are the rooms stylish at the price of practicality. Each room is fully equipped with an i-Mac, microwave and minibar, plus air-conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities and Wi-fi are all on offer. My only criticism would be that the rooms are too dimly lit, which after a couple of hours can give the impression that the dark carpets and walls are closing in on you, devouring you with their trendiness.

Restaurant and Bar

In the restaurant on the ground floor Alain Senderens has thrown together a hearty and quintessentially French menu. There is also a brasserie, a terrace and a bar where the city’s hipsters congregate to discuss how very fashionable, and yet street wise they are. This might become tedious on a daily basis but it can be fun to indulge yourself for an evening and join in. The foosball table and blackboard ceiling add to the distinctive ‘Mama Shelter’ atmosphere. The onsite pizzeria is another option, where well-sized pizzas can be enjoyed at long communal tables. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent try the Truffle Pizza.

Mama Shelter is a one-off experience and is certainly worth a try.