Mama Shelter Lyon

Situated in a large, modern gray brick building with white and glass window accents, the three-pearl Mama Shelter Lyon offers quirky, modern, urban decor created by renowned designer Philippe Starck. Stylish surprises appear throughout the hotel. The lobby features a black chalkboard ceiling covered with elegant handwritten words and phrases, a long sled in lieu of a bench or couch, and several colorful glass cases full of toys, bath products, and curios, most of them for sale. A spider-like chandelier light made of desk lamps hangs above a large wooden table with rock-like silver chairs, and guests can make use of the two iMacs that sit there. The restaurant and bar are a real standout -- eclectic, busy, and fun with black chalkboard ceilings, striped and brightly colored cushions and pillows, and floor-to-ceiling windows. This area's not just for eating, though, with family games on the tables and a sound stage full of instruments for live music. The hotel may not be in a prime location, but it offers good value for its style and amenities. The hotel has a youthful spirit, and many guests are young couples or groups of friends, though children and families stay here, too. 

The hotel occupies one block on a busy street in the 7th Arrondissement's Jean Macé district. Surrounded mainly by buildings and houses, the neighborhood itself is pleasant but largely unremarkable, though still in walking distance to some shops and restaurants as well as to the Rhone and public transportation options. The hotel is a four-minute walk to the Jean Macé metro station on line B, an eight-minute walk from the Garibaldi-Berthelot tram station, and three stops from the Part-Dieu train hub. The Presqu’île is an 18-minute walk from the hotel, while the Vieux Lyon historic area is about a 10-minute drive. Parking is available in an underground car park with a private hotel entrance, but costs an extra fee. It's a 30-minute drive to Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport or a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Charles de Gaulle Airport. 

Rooms are more minimal than the bold common areas but do offer fun, lively accents that speak to the modern, urban spirit of the hotel -- such as the comic book character masks draped over desk lamps. Rooms have both colored and exposed concrete walls, white bedding, a carpet in grayscale that resembles a chalkboard, and bold accent walls in bright lime green and orange. Bathrooms are tiled in all white with square sinks and roomy walk-in showers with glass doors, large rainfall showerheads and shower wands. While rooms are a bit tight on space, guests find the spaces clean and well maintained. 

All rooms have air-conditioning, wardrobes with safes, and desks with large 27-inch iMacs in lieu of flat-screen TVs. (Guests have to borrow a keyboard if they want to use it as a traditional computer.) The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and free movies on demand (including X-rated movies, which the hotel deselects automatically if children are in the room). Each room also includes a little kitchenette nook with a small sink, a modern coffeemaker, and a minibar stocked with soda (some rooms also have a microwave). Larger rooms have nice extras, including bathtubs, sofas, sitting areas, or private terraces. Bathrooms include hairdryers and organic Mama Skin by Absolution toiletries. While rooms are fairly quiet and the hotel has double-glazed windows, the bar downstairs has live music and DJs on some nights, so light sleepers may want to consider rooms higher up. 

This hotel has a popular restaurant and bar that features playful and eclectic decor and live music or DJs at night. A daily breakfast is also served here, but it costs an extra fee. Free daily magazines and journals from around the world are also available at breakfast. A large terrace full of tables, chairs, and greenery provides an appealing option for outdoor dining. The hotel has six unique meeting rooms that can host up to 109 people. The lobby features toiletries and playful items for sale from the Mama Shop, which also has an online presence. There are two iMacs in the lobby for guest use. The hotel has a concierge, the receptionist can print documents upon request, and the hotel offers dry-cleaning service as well as an underground parking lot, though it costs an extra fee. Note, there is no fitness center. Wi-Fi is available for free throughout.