With its knowingly gaudy decor, DJ nights and cheeky X-rated extras, Mama Shelter Nice is a hotel that knows its clientele. Inviting guests to ‘Work & Celebrate’, you’re more likely to see a digital nomad on a Zoom call and groups of mates enjoying a party by the pool than you are the traditional chapeau-wearing holidaymakers to the French Riviera. Instead, this hotel is for the young – right down to the neon signage (‘Mama Loves You!’), incredibly Instagrammable rooftop and, yes, extensive array of sex toys at reception.
Why stay at Mama Shelter Nice?
Having opened in 2024, the 102-room Nice property takes its place among the growing Mama Shelter family, which has locations in London, Rome, Dubai and more – plus 11 in France, and counting. Each one provides an affordable alternative to pricier, more prosaic hotels that we suspect the Mama team would tell you take themselves too seriously.
The first thing that struck us on entering reception was the monochrome street art-style ceiling, technicolour carpet and curtains, mismatched furnishings and dozens of sunflowers. It’s a potentially divisive hodgepodge design that’s entirely intentional and pervades every nook and cranny of the property, offering a playful riposte to the muted tones of its competitors. There’s a method in the madness, though – it’s all been carefully envisioned by Beniloys, a Lyonnaise graphic designer, and heavily inspired by one of Nice’s most famous residents of the past: Henri Matisse.
What are the rooms like at Mama Shelter Nice?
As above, so below. Think cosmic carpets, accent-coloured walls, brightly tiled bathrooms and plastic face masks of Looney Toon characters flanking the bed for seemingly no reason. If you’re worried that it’s all a case of anarchic style over practical substance, however, that it isn’t. We slept very restfully, with the plush pillows in particular noteworthy for their comfort.
Ours was a large room, which meant a king-size bed, desk, wardrobe and Svenskt Tenn-esque armchair. Small and medium rooms are also available, together with XXL rooms pitched at families that include additional sofa beds and, in some cases, connecting rooms. The ensuite bathrooms feature an array of Mama-branded organic toiletries and ours had a spacious shower. A huge TV faces the bed. When flicking through the interface, we even noted a prominent free XXX-movie section (though you can lock it behind parental controls). If you’re with kids, or considerably prudeish, this hotel might not be quite the right vibe for you.
The only thing sadly missing from our room? A Nespresso machine, kettle or any tea and coffee facilities.
What is the food like at Mama Shelter Nice?
Mama Shelter Nice has two places to dine. The ground floor restaurant is open for lunch and dinner with a menu that, unlike the decor, is fairly traditional. There are platters of cheese and caviar to share, salads, and main courses ranging from €25 to €51. There’s a stage at the front of the room, which hosts daily live music and DJ sets. Between 3pm and 6pm, you can also eat on the colourful roof terrace that’s exclusively reserved for hotel guests and is a more snacky affair, including sandwiches, pizzas and Nice’s trademark pissaladière.
It’s back downstairs for breakfast (for an additional rate), where an extensive hot and cold buffet awaits. Croissants, cereals, cheese, meats and several hunks of sourdough and brioche are all at your mercy. Omelettes and fried eggs are available on request and a bowl of fruit sitting next to a juicer welcomes you to conjure up your own blend.
What is the service like at Mama Shelter Nice?
The hotel is staffed by fun, youthful bunch (no surprises there), who seem genuinely proud of the city in which they live, and to genuinely enjoy working there. Two receptionists greeted us warmly, and even gave us some great local tips – they sent us up to Parc de la Colline du Château, the ‘Central Park of Nice’, and gave us their favourite spots for socca, a chickpea flatbread and Nice’s favourite snack.
What are the facilities like at Mama Shelter Nice?
There's a bunting-adorned pool on the roof terrace, which (we’re informed by the promotional literature) has been mosaiced by the luxury Bisazza design brand. It’s not particularly big, however, and we didn’t actually see anybody in it during our couple of days at Mama Shelter. Surrounded by loungers and with a bar terrace just around the corner, it feels better suited for an early evening cocktail than it does for practicing your front crawl. There are five workspaces, too, that can be hired for work meetings in the day and private events in the evening.
What’s the area like around Mama Shelter Nice?
Mama Shelter is located in the residential Riquier neighbourhood, a little way removed from the better-trodden touristy turf. That said, Nice is a pretty small city, and getting from the main Place Masséna square is still only a 15-minute tram ride or 25-minute walk via the very fun Garibaldi Square. Nearby, check out local-favourite restaurants like Chez Pipo and La Socca d’Or (another recommendation from Mama Shelter Nice’s lovely receptionist), and Port Lympia a little further out for bars, bistros and lots of gawping at posh yachts, owned by Nice’s rich and famous.
Why you should you book a stay at Mama Shelter Nice
Mama Shelter is a bit… different. If you’re organising a fun trip for a group of friends or are heading to the Côte d'Azur for a sunkissed working holiday – and aren’t bothered about having the Promenade des Anglais on your doorstep – then its playful vibe and genuinely affordable prices will be attractive. And while Mama may often have her tongue firmly in cheek, she’s also serious about delivering a genuinely comfortable – and memorable – stay.
DETAILS
Address: 21 Bd de Riquier, 06300 Nice, France
Price per night: Starting from around €90 per night
Closest transport: Nice Côte d'Azur airport is a 20-minute drive
Book now: Via Booking.com