Mama Shelter Marseille
What We Love
- The friendly staff have great recommendations for shopping and eating
- The endlessly entertaining décor, especially the inflatable pool toys that hang over the bar
- Not having to leave the hotel to have a good time; the restaurant and bar rev up at night, with DJs spinning and an infusion of locals to mingle with
What To Know
- Ask for a room at the back to avoid the noise from bar-goers at the weekends
- The “Small Mama” rooms are very small indeed
- No room service
- Free WiFi
Amenities
- Bar
- Free WiFi
- Handicap-accessible
- Parking On Site
- Pet-friendly
- Restaurant
Overview
The Lowdown
For a base from which to explore Marseille without spending a fortune, Mama Shelter does the trick, with the added benefit of colorful, Philippe Starck–designed rooms and a vibrant social scene. Each room comes with an iMac pre-loaded with movies (ask for a keyboard at reception if you want to use it as an actual computer), and, while many rooms are small and bathrooms minuscule, the décor is on point: concrete walls set off pastel furniture and colorful linoleum floors, while accents like plastic masks are there to play around with. We love the extra terrace bar for warm weather; it has a menu of over 40 kinds of pastis and a pool filled with giant chess pieces. Don’t leave without browsing the hotel shop, which sells a host of products made in collaboration with hip French brands like the Mama Skin organic range of cosmetics, chocolate bars by Le Chocolat des Français, and stuffed plush toys in bright colors.
In the Area
Snuggled between the Vieux Port (the old port) and the artsy Cours Julien neighborhood, Mama Shelter is a good base for checking out the city. It’s a 20-minute walk to the touristy port, crammed with bars, restaurants, and the Notre Dame church and just five from the indie shops and coffeehouses of the much less glitzy Cours Julien. The MuCEM, a landmark museum of Mediterranean culture designed by Rudy Ricciotti and with a very Instagrammable location overlooking the sea, is a half-hour walk. For explorations deeper into Marseille, there are metro stops five minutes away. And, in the summer, there’s always the beach: ask the staff to book you a sun lounger in the hotel’s private section.
How to Get There
Reviews
Very nice apartment at a reasonable price. In close proximity to everything as well. The apartment itself was very spacious and very clean, the hotel staff were very friendly as well. We enjoyed our stay here and would stay here again.
I stayed in this hotel just for one night prior to embark on a cruise ship. The hotel is very stylish and comfortable, room was very nice. Personnel at the reception and at the restaurant was very kind and helpful. Food was good too. I did not know this hotel and now I am curious to see the others in the world. Bravi, good job!!!
Mama shelter is a swell concept; with swanky reviews but when it comes to the basic amenities required by a tourist, it fails dearly. The location is remote, rooms are small and inconvenient and heating does not work...
For our first night in France this offered a comfortable place to stay. The breakfast offered a good variety and the staff were friendly and helpful. The room was funky and comfy. Slightly out of the main heart of town.
Location is not wow but metro Baille is within 5 min walking connecting you to the old port ... in minutes.
The staff is one one the biggest “atout” of Mama : they are amazingly helpful,sweet, cool beautiful 😍
The rooms are small but you sleep confortably, minimal furniture with a twist (cartooon masks)
Breakfast great , regular but very good ingredients.
Evenings buzzy but cool and food and cocktails really very tasty.
Underground parking is a plus.
Definitely come back