64 Rue de la Loubière, 13006 Marseille

Mama Shelter Marseille

Name: Mama Shelter Marseille
Address: 64 Rue de la Loubière, Marseille, 13006, FR
Price range: From 97 EUR
Rating: 8.2

Hotel-restaurant 3-star in Marseille

Presentation

Mama Shelter Marseille: location in the Cours Julien neighbourhood, between the Vieux Port and Cours Julien

Set in the Cours Julien neighbourhood, at the crossroads of three of Marseille's historic worlds, Mama Shelter enjoys a central location just a few minutes' walk from Notre-Dame du Mont metro station. The Vieux Port is within reasonable distance, while the Stade Vélodrome and the Prado beaches are reachable by metro in under twenty minutes. Seven hundred metres away, the Musée Cantini and the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde stand as two major historic landmarks within easy walking distance. Gare Saint-Charles provides convenient rail connections, and Marseille Provence Airport is twenty-five kilometres away, approximately thirty minutes by road. From the hotel, the Notre-Dame du Mont neighbourhood is a ten-minute walk: art galleries, designer boutiques, local cafés and emerging concert venues combine to create a trendy, artistic atmosphere that Marseille locals themselves frequent with enthusiasm. The Panier district, the ancient heart of old Marseille with its street art-lined alleyways, is a fifteen-minute walk away. The Parc des Expos, equidistant between Mama Shelter and the Vieux Port, regularly hosts trade fairs and cultural events throughout the year.

Architecture and décor by Philippe Starck: the atmosphere of a converted former butchery warehouse

The building itself tells a Marseille story: a former butchery warehouse transformed into a contemporary living space, it rises six storeys of concrete and aluminium. The décor was designed by Philippe Starck, whose immediately recognisable style imposes a controlled riot of fantasy, blending urban minimalism with unapologetically playful touches. White, black and grey corridors are punctuated with sardine motifs and metal sea creatures. Inflatable buoys hang from the restaurant ceiling, celluloid superheroes adorn the walls, and chalk inscriptions are scrawled across the ceilings of the communal areas. A giant foosball table, a photobooth and a videobooth complete this playful universe where relaxation and creativity go hand in hand, far removed from any sterile austerity.

The 125 rooms at Mama Shelter Marseille: categories, amenities and five-star bedding

The one hundred and twenty-five rooms spread across six floors are offered in five categories, from Small Mama to XL Mama, ranging in size from fifteen to forty-two square metres. The XXL Mama rooms feature connecting rooms, making them particularly well suited to family stays. Each room displays bare concrete walls, mismatched tiled floors and fuchsia poufs that punctuate the overall simplicity of the space. Five-star bedding is the establishment's absolute priority. The chrome-framed bed features a backlit opaque headboard, and a clean white desk is available for those needing to work. A large wall-mounted iMac serves as a hub for all digital needs: internet, television, radio and computer. The video-on-demand service is free of charge and offers a wide selection of films. The private bathroom includes a shower, a hairdryer and complimentary organic solid toiletries. A mini-fridge, a safe and complimentary WiFi throughout the property round out each room's amenities.

Mediterranean restaurant, pastis bar and covered terrace: social life at the heart of Mama Shelter

The restaurant is the true beating heart of the establishment. A long bar, open kitchen and long light-wood tables lined with multicoloured cushioned banquettes create a convivial atmosphere perfectly suited to shared meals. The contemporary Mediterranean cuisine pays homage to the traditions of the Mediterranean basin with a straightforward, generous and affordable menu that champions local, seasonal produce: baba ganoush, octopus salad, homemade panisses with spicy aïoli, grilled sea bream, calamari in persillade, tuna carpaccio, mackerel à la plancha, tuna tonkatsu, and the celebrated reinvented pasta and ham dish. A takeaway option allows guests to have lunch on the surrounding beaches. The covered patio-style terrace offers colourful banquettes, a pastis bar and signature cocktails, including the famous Mama Loves You. Several evenings a week, DJ sets and live concerts bring the venue to life, while stand-up and comedy shows, open to hotel guests, regularly enrich the entertainment programme.

Sunday brunch and buffet breakfast: the must-try dining experiences at Mama Shelter

The Sunday brunch is one of the establishment's most memorable culinary experiences, widely regarded as one of the best in Marseille. Sweet and savoury, refined and beautifully prepared, it stands out for its gargantuan variety and its particularly accomplished desserts. The popularity of this weekly event makes advance booking essential. On weekdays, the continental buffet breakfast is served between seven and eleven o'clock: homemade hot chocolates, freshly squeezed juices, breads and jams, homemade brioches, scrambled eggs, cheeses and various sweet treats are on offer, with an additional charge applicable. Children benefit from a dedicated menu at the restaurant, and children under three eat breakfast free of charge.

Les Ateliers meeting rooms and professional services: seminars and events in Marseille

The hotel has three modular meeting rooms called Les Ateliers, designed to host events, meetings and seminars in the Mama Shelter spirit. Each is equipped with high-tech equipment, a mini-bar and a ping-pong table to encourage relaxation between working sessions. A giant foosball table, a sunny terrace and sharing platters complete the offering, embodying the house philosophy that work and leisure are not mutually exclusive. A business centre and a computer workstation are also available, along with a banquet room for larger gatherings.

Practical services: parking, 24-hour reception and everyday amenities

The self-service car park offers forty-five spaces, two of which are equipped with electric vehicle charging points, plus one additional charging unit. The reception operates around the clock with multilingual staff. A vending machine for drinks and snacks, a car rental service, a dry-cleaning service and a laundry are available to guests. Baby cots are provided on request. A hotel shop stocks toothbrushes, toothpaste and an assortment of quirky items of every kind.

Mama Shelter Marseille's environmental commitment and membership of the Accor Planet 21 programme

Mama Shelter Marseille is part of the Accor group and participates in its Planet 21 programme, dedicated to positive hospitality. One hundred per cent of the group's hotels take part in a community or solidarity initiative. The Plant for the Planet programme results in a tree being planted every minute. Within the establishment, a target of reducing food waste by thirty per cent is set and actively pursued. Straws are biodegradable and bathroom products are organic solids, respectful of both the environment and guests' skin. This ecological philosophy runs through all decisions and services offered.

Plage Borély, the calanques, the Orange Vélodrome and museums: sites accessible from Mama Shelter

Ten minutes from the hotel, Plage Borély offers a reserved area for guests with forty sun loungers. The calanques of the region remain accessible for those in search of unspoilt nature and swimming between white rocky outcrops. The Vieux Port, Marseille's iconic landmark, invites leisurely exploration among colourful facades and picturesque restaurants. The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde dominates the city from its hilltop and offers spectacular panoramic views over the Mediterranean basin: a visit is considered unmissable. The Orange Vélodrome, the mythical stadium of Marseille football, is reachable by metro in under twenty minutes. For culture and history enthusiasts, the Musée d'Art Moderne, the Musée de la Civilisation Méditerranéenne and the Musée Cantini all enrich any stay. Concert venues around the Cours Julien regularly programme French and international artists, offering a vibrant cultural scene.

A selection of activities and discoveries near this hotel

Stroll through the Cours Julien, Marseille's quintessential artistic neighbourhood a ten-minute walk away, where spectacular street art, contemporary galleries, local designer boutiques and weekly markets sit alongside lively terraces and well-known concert venues such as Molotov and Espace Julien, gems for lovers of diverse live music.
Explore the Musée Cantini, housed in a seventeenth-century mansion close to the Vieux Port, which holds one of the richest public collections of modern French art, featuring works by Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, Braque and the Surrealists who took refuge in Marseille during the Second World War.
Set off to discover the calanques of the National Park, natural jewels accessible by hiking trail or boat: the Calanque de Sormiou remains the Marseillais' favourite, with its wide white sandy beach, turquoise waters and charming little fishermen's cabins overlooking the landscape, approximately forty-five minutes by bus from the hotel.
Take in a panoramic view over the entire city from the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, an iconic landmark whose white silhouette has dominated the city for nearly four centuries, offering not only a place of spirituality but also unforgettable views over the Mediterranean basin.
Enjoy the beaches reachable by metro towards the Prado or the Plage des Catalans, peaceful alternatives for swimming and relaxation in the heart of the city without any lengthy walk, particularly popular with families seeking convenience and nearby facilities.
Wander through the Panier district with its picturesque, labyrinthine alleyways, the authentic ancient heart of Marseille close to the Vieux Port, where medieval history and colourful architecture create a bohemian, timeless atmosphere far from the well-trodden tourist trail.

A summary of some positive reviews found online

Pleasant and comfortable rooms with a very generous breakfast and smiling staff, parking greatly appreciated in this tricky neighbourhood, attractive value for money and a relaxed overall atmosphere.
Truly warm welcome, spacious and spotlessly clean room, friendly and attentive staff at every moment, excellent breakfast, very high quality range of services including restaurant, bar and pleasant terrace.
The original décor by Philippe Starck creates a playful and unique atmosphere, far removed from the austere aesthetic of standard hotel chains, comfortable bedding ensures a restful night's sleep, modern technological amenities and quality organic bathroom supplies.
The Sunday brunch lives up to its reputation, an impressive variety of sweet and savoury dishes, refinement in the culinary preparation, carefully crafted and delicious desserts, a convivial and festive atmosphere at the heart of the restaurant and the adjacent terrace.
An authentic living space where the bar atmosphere with DJ sets and musical entertainment makes you want to stay put rather than head out to explore, welcoming and warm staff, a feeling of being in a vibrant space rather than a traditional hotel.
A professional stay impeccably organised with an efficient reception, irreproachable cleanliness in the communal areas and rooms, quality restaurant, well-executed Sunday brunch, comprehensive services allowing guests to focus on work or relaxation as needed.