Cape Town’s inner city is having a moment, as the skyline bristles with cranes and new developments sprout across the vibrant ‘City Bowl’.
One of the most exciting new central city developments is City Park, in what was once the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. That building has stood empty for the past four years and counting, and the redevelopment into an exciting mixed-use destination of restaurants, retail and hotels will transform this section of Bree Street. And great news for savvy travellers is that City Park will soon host the first African address of quirky colourful hotel brand Mama Shelter.
The new Mama Shelter Cape Town is set to be a drawcard for City Park, with 127 guestrooms across three room categories, and 68 branded residences. Mama Shelter Cape Town will also offer meeting rooms, co-working spaces and a gym, along with a pool deck dishing up seriously good city and mountain views. Also look out for Mama’s classic all-day dining restaurant on the rooftop.
Since opening in Paris in 2008 with the concept of an ‘urban refuge’, the Mama Shelter brand has expanded to more than a dozen properties worldwide, from Paris to Los Angeles to Dubai, and has become known for creating bold, colourful and ever-so-cheeky destinations.
Mama Shelter Cape Town will also introduce a new concept for the brand, with the 'Mama Play' offering a retro entertainment space complete with ten-pin bowling and karaoke alongside restaurants and bars.
'Cape Town is a dynamic city that offers something for everyone, so it is the perfect place to introduce our new Mama Play concept,' says Cedric Gobilliard, brand executive for Mama Shelter at lifestyle and leisure hospitality company Ennismore. 'More than a hotel, more than a restaurant or a bar, Mama Shelter is a place for living - a place to meet, eat, drink, sing and dream.'
At present there is no opening date set for Mama Shelter Cape Town, but don’t expect to check in before late-2025 at the earliest.
Have you heard? The Spier Hotel is set for a major renovation…