If you’re looking for a
chic hotel in Paris that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg then Mama Shelter could be the place for
you. I’d been wanting to stay there for ages and last weekend I finally got the chance.
From the chic dining room
(boasting every make of trendy chair you can possibly imagine) to the rooftop
terrace, Mama Shelter is gorgeous to look at. I particularly liked the giant
mirrors with details of the day’s events in Paris scrawled across the glass and
the low blackboard ceilings covered in chalked drawings and graffiti.
On Saturday morning we had
coffee at a traditional café en route to the metro station at Gambetta but on
Sunday we decided to treat ourselves to breakfast at Mama Shelter. The cost was
15 euros each, which seemed a little on the steep side – until we tried it out.
As we helped ourselves to limitless coffee, fruit, yoghurt and croissants we
realised we didn’t need to eat again till supper-time.
It was a balmy 26 degrees
in Paris on Sunday so we sat outside on the long, narrow terrace overlooking a
disused railway line. With its huge outdoor lanterns, massive sofas and
friendly staff, Mama Shelter has an urban charm all of its own.
Situated near the Père
Lachaise cemetery in the 20th district (or as Parsians would say, the
vingtième), it’s not the most central location. The metro is a brisk ten-minute
walk and then it’s eight stops to Hôtel de Ville. But if you don’t mind that
(and we didn’t at all), then give it a try.
Designed by Philippe
Starck and opened in 2009, Mama Shelter boasts ultra-modern rooms with crisp,
white linen, Kiehl’s shampoo and soap, iMacs and free Wi-Fi. Best of all, the prices
are reasonable by Paris standards. My daughter and I paid 79 euros each for a
room with twin beds and an en-suite shower.
