The New York Times Finally Visits Mama Shelter in Paris

Where: 109 Rue de Bagnolet, Paris, France, 75020

March 23, 2009 at 9:11 AM | by EricRosen | 1 Comment

Fast becoming the most talked about new hotel in the City of Lights, Mama Shelter is a Philippe Starck-designed budget boutique option in an out-of-the-way (some might say �dodgy�) corner of Paris that seems to be drawing international hipsters (and New York Times journalists) to its chic bar and simple rooms. That�s thanks, in no small part, to the starting rate of 79 euros a night�a rarity in one of the world�s most expensive cities.

So buzzworthy was this budget boutique hotel becoming that the New York Times sent travel writer Fred Bernstein to stay there and enlighten us all with his review. We've been dying to hear what the critics say about Mama Shelter since November and Bernstein gives it a thorough review.

He says that Mama Shelter�a pet project of its Club Med mogul owners�is �far less grand than most of Mr. Starck�s hotels,� but �is as inventive and exciting as the best of them.� Its 172 rooms �make the most of tiny spaces.� Bernstein claims his room was barely 100 square feet, but �it had everything I needed, including silence, a super-comfortable bed and flawless electronics.� He must like those 24-inch iMacs they have that are TV, CD/DVD player and computer all in one.

The most fanciful feature? �The bedside lamps are fluorescent tubes covered by Chewbacca masks.� The only thing lacking? Coffee makers�especially considering the expensive prices at the hotel�s restaurant, which serves a 20 euro breakfast. Ooh la la! Perhaps the high price is for the privilege of dining under the graffiti-covered chalkboard ceiling.

Overall, �Mama Shelter is a fabulous place to stay,� exults Bernstein.

As avid Paris-goers ourselves, we have some qualms about its remote location, but even we are tempted to give it a try on our next trip to the land of berets and baguettes.

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Tags: NYT Reviews / Fred Bernstein / Paris Hotels / Budget Hotels / Philippe Starck / → All Tags