LONDON
DESIGN-FORWARD , QUIRKY , WELCOMING , AND FUN , FIND YOUR OWN UNIQUE URBAN REFUGE AT
MAMA SHELTER LONDON
BY SAMANTHA READY
PART OF A WIDER COLLECTION OF LIVELY , UNIQUE AND QUIRKY PLACES , AS DEVELOPED BY THE TRIGANO FAMILY , THE CONCEPT AT MAMA SHELTER IS SIMPLE , YET EFFORTLESSLY DELIVERED ; SETTLE IN THE HEART OF BIG CITIES , OFFER THE ASSURANCE OF TOP CLASS HOSPITALITY , BE POPULAR , BE FRIENDLY AND BE SEXY – MAMA SHELTER LONDON DOES IT ALL – AND THEN SOME .
Whisper the words Shoreditch and instantly the connotations of all the ‘ forwards ’ spring to mind . Fashion-forward , design-forward , food-forward , it ' s the epitome of regeneration done well , hipster chic without trying too hard , and frankly just pretty damn cool . Situated on the edge of Shoreditch , a stone ’ s throw from the edgier Bethnal Green and right in the heart of Hackney , sits Mama Shelter London . Its instant cool vibes metaphorically hit you as its bold black facade stands proudly ; ready to explore , ready to have some fun and ready to showcase some unique ‘ Mama ’ love …
Step across the threshold and you are catapulted into a juxtaposition of curiosity and cool . The main entrance is as dark , rich and enticing as the facade . Deep playfully-patterned carpets lead to bedrooms ; giant birdcage cabinets adjacent to the check-in area boast bespoke Mama Shelter baseball caps alongside fetish-esq Russian dolls and sexy treat packs that can be pre-booked for couples – it ’ s Greatest Showman meets the Met Gala vibes .
Bedrooms , of which there are 194 , are on the design edge of sparse sanctuary , tipping the balance perfectly into comfortably , contemporary simplicity , thanks to Dion & Arles ’ clever approach . You ’ ll find a simple metal rack in lieu of a wardrobe and window side bench style seating in lieu of sofas , chairs or desk . The result is surprisingly spacious , relaxed and comfortable , aided by some quality linens , superfast wifi , and bespoke toiletries – with an added edge of tongue-in-cheek Mama humour naturally .
And this isn ’ t even the best part … for Mama Shelter London is about good times , good drinks and good food too !
Alongside the well equipped gym , the best fun to be had here is below ground . For Mama knows that nothing beats the fun of good karaoke , so much so that there is not one but two dedicated pre-bookable rooms here for you to belt out ( or in our case utterly murder ) all your classic tunes – aided by the best vending machine in the world that pumped out cans of chilled Cabernet Sauvignon to keep us in the party spirit !
But for me Mama ’ s real pinnacle is its food and drink offering .
Start in the Garden Bar , as bijou as it is chill . I stayed just before freedom was a thing and even then there were queues vying for space on a wicker throne or bar stool , surrounded by greenery and the odd cheetah sculpture , to sample the ingenious cocktail list and , as befits its location , enjoy the laid back vibes of the weekend DJ sets .
Dinner ready ? It ’ s time to head inside to the main restaurant and prepare for a feast for all the senses . Here , aside from the French-influenced and frankly delicious all day menu , ( that swiftly moves into hipster brunch de-rigour as the sun rises again , leading to yet more queues !), you ’ ll be swept up into a ‘ don ’ t-know-where-to-look-and-what-to-take-infirst ’ adventure .
The ceilings are painted with doodle-esq artwork . Chintzy lamps , light shades and cushions juggle for attention alongside retro pinball machines , football tables , mixologists at the bar , and the DJ area , offset , well of course , with a wall of musical instruments that included an acoustic guitar and some bagpipes .
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