If you’re a London-based twenty-something working in the creative industries, it’s likely that you, or someone you know, took a trip to the South of France this summer. Marseille in particular has quickly become the destination du jour for east Londoners – also seen frequenting Columbia Road flower market, sunning in London Fields or sampling The Plimsoll's infamous burgers. For some, running into exes and reconnecting with Hackney regulars in Marseille is part of the draw. For others, it’s a turn off. Luckily, Nice – and its newest hotel opening, Mama Shelter – provides the perfect solution.
Where is it?
Situated on the Côte D’Azur, around the bend from Marseille and close to the Italian border, Nice is the second largest city after Marseille, with just as much charm. It’s the connecting mecca of the ever glamorous French Riviera, with regular trains (or boats) to Saint Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Èze, Monaco and Menton.
During summer months, Nice is the bustling gateway to the refreshing lapis waters of the Med. In shoulder season, it’s a city as vibrant as the ocean that surrounds it. Plus temperatures remain in the early twenties until the end of October. A stone’s throw from Nice Riquier train station sits the newly opened Mama Shelter. With branches already in Los Angeles, Paris, Lisbon and London’s Bethnal Green, Mama Shelter Nice marks the brand’s 11th opening.
Style
The hotel staff refer to it not as a hotel, but simply, as Mama. And this Mama is particularly proud of her rooftop pool and restaurant. The first of the brand's branches to feature a rooftop pool, it’s a quirky and colourful suntrap that could easily steal a whole day of your time. The restaurant and reception area is painted in homage to three of the greatest artists to have lived on the Côte d'Azur: Matisse, Picasso and Chagal. Think dreamy, swirling patterns that transport you directly into the world of the modernist painters.
Which room?
There isn’t huge variation in the rooms other than size – there’s the Small Mama, the Medium Mama, the Large Mama, or XXL family-sized Mama. In each of them, you can expect pastel pink accents with either green, black or cream walls, plus two unexpected guests: Looney Tunes-style masks left next to the bedside.
It’s no secret that, as well as providing wholesome food and a comfortable bed, Mama is a bit kinky. Upon arrival, a large cabinet of sex toys towers behind the reception desk. Meanwhile, a ‘Sexy Mama’ offer is available for those in need of a room for one night only, complete with “love cocktails” and a Sexy Mama Box, containing condoms, lube and even a vibrator. Actor Will Mellor (ofHollyoaksandMr Bates vs The Post Officefame) recently posted a video on social media, documenting his surprise upon discovering the saucy room additions.
Facilities
Mama also welcomes platonic relationships – my friend and I decided to place the masks under the bed for the duration of our stay – as well as families, particularly in the restaurant. In Nice, Mama’s restaurant is built on the flavours of the Mediterranean, standouts being the signature meats and pasta dishes. The main restaurant on the ground floor is a popular spot with Nice locals, whilst upstairs, on the roof of the building and overlooking the pool area, Mama’s guests can enjoy post-swim cocktails.
When to go
The summer months see Nice at its peak. Temperatures can reach the late 30s, meaning staying somewhere with a pool or located within walking distance of the ocean is vital, and thankfully, Mama Shelter ticks both those boxes. The transport links make it all too easy to visit nearby towns – I recommend Menton, Èze and Antibes for those looking to avoid the glamorous but touristy hotspots of Monaco and Cannes. Head to Plage de la Mala for a sandy beach, but take care on the rocky descent. It’s worth it when you get there.
Best for
Mama Shelter Nice is an eccentric, romantic and colourful base for seeing the city at its fullest. It’s the ideal escape for a couple looking to explore their French Riviera fantasies... and possibly even a few other fantasies along the way.
