Mama Shelter Shoreditch review: frivolous fun without breaking the bank

Playful fun is the aesthetic of Mama Shelter Shoreditch, the London outpost of a chain with branches in 13 cities from Los Angeles to Luxembourg. This is made evident as soon as you enter – the lobby sports bright clashing colours, a retro arcade game and a cabinet with various child- and adult-friendly toys for sale.

This is clearly a spot for young professionals looking for a good time in one of the capital’s most prominent party locations.

The location

Mama Shelter Shoreditch is not strictly in Shoreditch, but rather a 25-minute walk away, in Cambridge Heath. Despite the slightly misleading name, visitors should not be disappointed by this fact. Real Londoners will vouch that Cambridge Heath is significantly cooler than its now slightly corporate neighbour, making it the ideal spot for the young crowd that this hotel is clearly aimed at.

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With world-leading clubs such as Oval Space and the Pickle Factory right next door, plus Colombia Road Flower Market a mere ten-minute walk away, there is nothing second-best about this location.

The rooms

Rooms here are simple, clean and comfortable. When I arrive, my large bed is covered in crisp white sheets and there is a bowl of fresh fruit to greet me. My bathroom is well stocked with eco-friendly toiletries, including a shampoo bar that I am encouraged to take home with me.

All this sounds like your classic city-break spot. And yet, this hotel room – which appears very traditional on a first glance – is peppered with cheeky touches. Messages are scrawled in lipstick on my mirrors (one, which reads “call me”, is the number for reception), playful masks are tied around my bedposts (available to buy for a surprisingly hefty price) and, if the giant mirror above my bed isn’t an indicator of what this hotel’s all about, then the advertised amenity of free porn in every room certainly is.

Eating and drinking

Like the reception area and the rooms, the focus of Mama Shelter’s dining scene is all about playful fun. My meal in the restaurant features not one but two items that are set on fire at my table (one is a tropical cocktail served in a wooden tiki cup, the other a pecan pie) – and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more items to add to the list of pyrotechnics.

The cocktail menu contains all the classics, plus a more creative signature list (in both flavour and presentation). I sample one that contains banana liqueur and is garnished with a large banana leaf and flamed banana discs (sadly these are pre-flambéed and I miss out on a third table-side show).

The starters here have been clearly designed with drinking in mind. The n’duja doughnut would be perfect alongside a cold beer, while the truffle arancini could make excellent grazing fodder during some pre-party drinks.

For the mains, there’s something for everyone. The food is inspired by all the biggest hitters from around the world, with fish and chips and burgers sitting alongside cod with lobster velouté and a grilled swordfish dish with lemongrass and coconut. It’s all a little pricey, and nothing groundbreaking, flavour-wise, but the colourful dining room and the party atmosphere (DJs and live bands regularly perform here) make this spot a great starting point for a big night out in London.

The party keeps on going

For those who have enjoyed a few too many cocktails in the restaurant, Mama Shelter Shoreditch has karaoke rooms available for hire in the basement, meaning the party never has to end. There are more arcade machines here, as well as a vending machine that, when I visit, is sold out of everything except for condoms.

For the more saintly of guests, there is a small gym available for use with high-tech equipment that includes a Peloton bike. Other amenities include bookable co-working spaces and dog-friendly bedrooms, although I’m not sure I’d want to bring either my boss or my pet to share the party atmosphere with me.

Verdict

Rooms here start from around £200 per night, which is surprisingly accessible for a hotel of this standard in such a trendy London location. If what you’re looking for is a weekend of frivolous fun without breaking the bank, then this definitely meets the mark.

Mama Shelter Shoreditch, 437 Hackney Rd, London, E2 8PP; mamashelter.com