First things first: this hotel isn’t in Shoreditch, it’s in Cambridge Heath. But that’s a positive. The vibe is edgier and less corporate in this pocket of east London. And French mini-chain Mama Shelter, with its all-black exterior and kaleidoscopic lobby area filled with vintage arcade games and Liberty London prints, fits right in. Rooms are functional, but more exciting than your standard budget stay — have you had reception’s number daubed in lipstick on your mirror before? Downstairs, you can expect TikTok-ready dishes such as truffle burrata and Bounty cheesecake, two Japanese-style karaoke rooms and DJs every weekend. Yes, it’s a lot. But it’s hard not to have a good time here.
Overall score 8/10
Main photo: bright colours and snug sofas in the Mama Shelter lobby
This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue
Rooms and suites
Score: 8/10
The cosy but kitsch vibe of the lobby, all snug sofas and clashing colours, gives way to a more subdued look upstairs. Walls are painted black and furnishings minimal. A table doubles up as a safe. No wardrobe — instead, a rod with coat hangers. One eco-friendly soap bar will have to suffice as shampoo and shower gel. This place is cheeky in its simplicity.
But Paris design studio Dion & Arles has made it fun. Like at other Mama outposts — now everywhere from Luxembourg to Los Angeles — the hotel’s Tweety and Sylvester cartoon masks dangle from lamps. Cactus “do not disturb” signs hang on doors. The TV offers music playlists for various times of day and a free porn collection, chiming with the sex toys available to buy at reception. That’s not to say the basics aren’t looked after, though: you’ll get a great night’s sleep thanks to the comfy beds and blackout blinds.
Advertisement
So, who is it for? It will please business travellers who are after a place with a little more soul than the usual budget chain, adult backpackers who’ve outgrown hostels and parents looking to impress their kids on a trip to London. (If you’re the latter: don’t worry, access to the X-rated TV content has to be granted at the front desk.)
Families and those with reduced mobility will want to opt for one of the large rooms (either a “double double” or “triple single”), with cots also provided. And you can bring your dog into your room, though there’s an extra charge of £25 per pet.
Food and drink
Score: 7/10
Think of a clichéd hipster ingredient. Got one? Well, it’s practically guaranteed to feature on the pan-cuisine menu here. Yet this is more than just showy east London box-ticking. You may get ‘nduja in your burger or a yuzu dipping sauce with your squid, but the results are generally delicious. The pork belly with bubble and squeak sounds — is — gimmicky; you’ll still tell all your friends about it afterwards. Same goes for the Mama’s Bouquet cocktail, a pretty-in-pink confection of Moët & Chandon Brut and rosé syrup inspired by nearby Columbia Road Flower Market.
Take your pick from long communal tables, stools lined up along the bar or an outdoor terrace (with retractable roof deployed in poor weather). The decor is gaudy, with screens showing 1970s disco performances, a double-length football table and a chalkboard ceiling scrawled with titbits about London. The good thing is it’s nigh-on impossible not to be entertained, especially in the company of such young, friendly staff.
At £20 a head, breakfast is quite expensive for what you get — a self-service spread of pastries, yoghurts and standard fry-up fare. You would do better to grab a coffee and croissant from speciality roasters Climpson & Sons Café, five minutes’ walk away.
Advertisement
• Best free things to do in London
• Best Airbnbs in London
What else is there?
Score 8/10
Two things — both in the basement. The gym is small but well equipped: there are treadmills, weights and a Peloton bike, plus a screen showing Amélie on repeat (Mama Shelter really wants you to know it’s French). And next door are the two, 15-capacity karaoke rooms, complete with neon lighting, leopard-print seating and 10,000 songs to choose from (£20 per person for two hours; six guests minimum).
Where is it?
Score: 9/10
Mama Shelter is at the eastern end of Hackney Road, which runs along the border of Tower Hamlet and Hackney boroughs. You can get to Liverpool Street station in less than 15 minutes, either on the Overground from Cambridge Heath, just down the road, or on the Central line from Bethnal Green, ten minutes’ walk away. There’s a frankly ridiculous amount going on in this part of London, so you’re in for a treat. Families should visit the pigs and donkeys at Hackney City Farm and explore the newly revamped Young V&A museum. Kid-free and staying out late? Satan’s Whiskers is where to go for classy cocktails and a hip-hop soundtrack, while the Sebright Arms is your best bet for artisan beer and live bands.
Huw Oliver was a guest of Mama Shelter
Price room-only doubles from £110
Restaurant mains from £16.50
Family-friendly Y
Dog-friendly Y
Accessible Y
Advertisement
• The best places for afternoon tea in London
• Best dog-friendly hotels in London
Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here.
