A few weeks ago, my sister, brother and I arranged a “siblings” week-end in Bordeaux. This was the first time in 20 years that we were meeting sans wife/husband and it was fantastic.  We talked, we laughed, we reminisced, we shared a lot and of course we drank lots of good Bordeaux wine!

I had chosen to stay at Mama Shelter as my brother recommended it and the price and look of it seemed the right combo for a one night stay.

Mama Shelter Bordeaux quick view

What I liked Good range of prices Fun funky vibe but not overly trendy that you would feel not cool enough Nice design Great Bordeaux view AMAZING breakfast Lots of things to keep the kids happy

What to be aware of Ask for a room in the upper floor as the bar noise may get to the lower floor rooms Breafkast is on top Toiletries are sparse

A very welcoming bedroom

The room while not massive was well designed and I immediately felt at peace getting in because of the nice pastel pink and white on the walls but above all because of the window.

I had read that it was better to ask for a top floor room and I certainly appreciated it when I saw that the window was taking the whole width of the main wall. Fantastic view of the roofs of the city which I admired, all lights off, at night.

The bed was really really confortable with nice pillows and a light but warm duvet.

Lots of well-thought design touches

The bathroom was really nice with a great sink, a big shower and very practically a separate area with a microwave, minibar and another sink to possibly wash your cutlery.

Design was sometimes a bit too sharp, in particular the shower door handle which I bumped my elbow in while trying to check the water temperature!

The bedroome comes with a nice Mac screen with all the information you want, wifi, free movies, games, information about best addresses in Bordeaux etc…

The right atmosphere for all ages, including children

The hotel has lots to please older kids: ping pong tables on the lower ground floor, a massive football table in the lunch/breakfast area, games on the Mac etc..

The atmosphere is pitched just right: in the morning you can have a peaceful and “loungy” breakfast with nice soft music. At lunch, the restaurant and outdoor terrace are buzzing and at night the bar downstairs is really funky and in the summer the roof terrace must be quite a plesant place too.

Fantastic breakfast and bottom-less brunch.

Breakfast is a fantastic affair.  You have to pay on top of the bedroom price but at 17Euros it was delivering way above many 15 Euros breakfast where they only give you bread, butter and jam.  Here you could choose between home made cakes, fresh and hot pancakes,  boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, bacon and mushroom the English way, lots of different breads, home made jams, fresh fruits or fruit salad, yoghurt, cereals, cold meat and cheese.

The brunch which starts from 12 and brings a lot of people from Bordeaux is even more impressive: a whole buffet of 4 hot dishes to choose from, a whole buffet of cold starters and salads and a whole buffet of deserts.  I will certainly try this when I go back.

My verdict on Mama Shelter Bordeaux

Mama Shelter really delivered the good: a well equipped, well designed peaceful bedroom, several amenities for families, a fun place to hang out at night and fantastic breakfast.

Above all, the staff was totally charming. Young and efficient they looked really happy to be there and were very relaxed with us.

Really recommend it for your next stay in Bordeaux.

Mama Shelter, Bordeaux

Rooms

• 97 bedrooms

Rates

• Small rooms from £75

For families

• Book two small rooms or go for the larger ones or the triple room
• If you want a cot bed, you’ll have to go for a Large Mama Double
• The mini kitchen with separate sink and microwave is really handy to heat up baby food
• There is a Monoprix just outside the hotel, perfect to buy picnic food or baby food and equipment
• Ping Pong and table football games available
• Free movies on demand
• Use of Mac for the teenagers

Facilities

• Bar and restaurant
• Rooftop bar and restaurant open in the Spring and summer

Website

• Click here for the latest prices and book*