Mama Shelter Lyon

Mama Shelter is the hotel brand that made affordable design fun, and its Lyon outpost brings the formula to the 7th arrondissement on the left bank of the Rhône. The concept was developed by Philippe Starck with the Trigano family, and the result is a lively, slightly irreverent place with bold colours, quirky details and a restaurant and bar that draw locals as well as guests. There are 156 rooms, compact but well equipped with air conditioning, a minibar, a safe and a TV, and the beds are comfortable. The restaurant has a terrace and is open seven days a week, which makes it an easy choice for breakfast or dinner without leaving the building. There is a 24-hour reception, luggage storage and car parking for a fee, and pets are welcome. The hotel holds the Green Key sustainability label. The 7th is a residential, student-friendly district with neighbourhood cafes and restaurants rather than monuments, so you trade a postcard address for value and a local feel.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at 13 Rue Domer, close to Jean Macé, which has metro line B, tram T2 and several bus lines. Metro B reaches Part-Dieu station in about three stops and connects to line A for the Presqu’île, and you can walk to the Rhône and the Guillotière district in around fifteen minutes. The lively Guillotière, with its markets and international food, and the riverside parks of the left bank are close.

Rooms: rooms are compact and designed for comfort and fun rather than space. They are a good base for a couple or a solo traveller; families should check which rooms fit an extra bed.

Who it suits: budget-conscious couples, friends, solo travellers and anyone who enjoys a sociable hotel with a busy bar and restaurant. It is less suited to travellers who want to walk out into Vieux Lyon or the Presqu’île.

Good to know: the bar and restaurant can be lively in the evenings, so ask for a room away from the public areas if you sleep lightly. The on-site car park is a real advantage for drivers. Breakfast is generally extra, and the hotel offers meeting rooms, so weekdays can bring business groups.