Playful French-born Mama Shelter has quickly become one of the world’s most talked about hotel brands. Thanks to its Ennismore ownership, it’s expanded from its home in France (where properties include Nice, Bordeaux, Paris and Marseille) to Rome, London, Lisbon, LA and more. Now, it’s the turn of Dubai, with Mama Shelter Dubai now open in Business Bay.

In France and across Europe and the US, Mama Shelter is known for its daring minibars and TV offerings (give it a quick Google) and true four-star offering – focused on design, lifestyle, colourful decor and fanciful French zest for life. Here are eight things we love bout the Mama Shelter Dubai, open 25 December.

How it’s a true ‘lifestyle’ hotel

Dubai has had plenty of ‘lifestyle’ hotels in recent years, but most have realistically been five-star – with hundreds and hundreds of rooms, sprawling spas and more. Mama Shelter has stayed true to its laid-back roots (unswayed by Dubai gloss) and opened as a true unpretentious four-star offering. The brand focuses on cool food and drink outlets and social spaces over frills and rooms. All ages and travellers are welcome, and there’s a really relaxed and fun vibe about the place.

The unique and playful rooms

Again, the brand is known for its cheeky, playful offering in its rooms, and Mama Shelter Dubai brings a touch of this. There’s lipstick writing on the mirrors, cartoon character masks on the bed, fun bracelets for guests to wear, and a TV loaded with complimentary TV shows and movies.

There’s an outdoor cinema

A few Mama Shelter hotels have cinemas, but Mama Shelter Dubai is the first to have an outdoor cinema, and it has Burj Khalifa views, too. The chilled, fuss-free space comprises wooden bleachers and an elevated screen on the hotel’s garden terrace. Guests can take a seat on the comfy colourful cushions or even watch from the swimming pool.

Its Italian restaurant is one of the city’s most beautiful

With a ceiling covered in faux foliage and colourful florals, potted trees, statement lighting, colourful banquet seating and patterned tiles, the Mama Skypool restaurant is a real stunner. There are colourful and comfortable banquettes for group gatherings, a great cocktail menu, chilled poolside vibes and that same skyline and Burj Khalifa views.

It has a real ‘hotel bar’ hotel bar

Dubai has lots of hotels with bars, but very few killer hotel bars. Mama Shelter Dubai’s Mamm’s Bar looks posed to be added to that exclusive list. The bar gives 1920s speakeasy vibes with a modern twist – think fresh cocktails and DJs spinning vinyl records.

The design is OTT

While many hotels and design agencies favour minimalism, Mama Shelter goes for the ‘more is more’ opinion – with colourful and quirky design and lots of ‘stuff’ around. Carpets are patterned, walls are kaleidoscopic, lighting fixtures are design-led and varied, and shelves are stacked with Mama merchandise, coffee table books, cartoon masks and more. There are even foosball tables and other fun additions in the restaurants, bars and meeting rooms.

Breakfast is breezy and efficient

We love a hotel breakfast, but more often than not, they take a substantial chunk out of your morning. At Mama Shelter Dubai, all of the fuss has been taken away from the meal – a testament to the brand’s dynamic attitude. Everything is available on the buffer – coffee, juice (where you can squeeze fresh in a juice machine), eggs (which you boil yourself), toast, cold cuts, fruit, pastries, cooked dishes and more. You can order omeletters, too.

Rooms from about AED500 a night, mamashelter.com,@mamashelterdubai

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