Mama Shelter La Défense, modern comfort, incredible views and retrogaming

At the edge of the La Défense district, just a few minutes' walk from the Esplanade station, and therefore only a short metro ride from the heart of Paris, a Mama Shelter hotel- the third in the capital after the 20th and 15th arrondissements - opened its doors at the start of 2022.

At 14 storeys high, Mama Shelter La Défense is part of the New York-style landscape of the Paris business district. Spread across the floors are 211 rooms, each with amuted look and modern comforts: high-quality bedding for a restful night's sleep, a large walk-in shower, and even organic beauty products in solid format, so you can take care of your skin and the environment at the same time!

But it's also through the window that the show is played out. While some rooms overlook the surrounding buildings lit up at night - a lovely backdrop - other rooms offer travelers a panoramic view of Paris as far as the eye can see, with the Eiffel Tower, theArc de Triomphe, the Sacré Coeur, the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Bois de Boulogne and the Tour Montparnasse in their sights. A view over the rooftops of Paris that few Parisians are familiar with, as it is usually reserved for skyscraper employees.

The elevators are alsomodern, with a small screen on the outside that lets you choose your floor and find out how long you'll have to wait; and the lobby, with its large windows that encourage window-shopping - there's clothing and crockery signed Mama Shelter, but also pop culture objects. A modernity that contrasts with the arcade's vintage feel. No, you're not dreaming: there's a real arcade on the second floor of Mama Shelter La Défense.

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Two arcade terminals with dozens of retro games ! For retrogaming fans, Sonic, Mortal Kombat and Taken are just a joystick away - and they're all free! The same goes for the 3 pinball machines - Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy and Stranger Things, for those of you who might be wondering - which guarantee evenings of games with friends or family, as does the huge foosball table that can accommodate 8-10 players.

It's on the second floor of the Mama Shelter La Défense- the lobby, arcade and 6 privatizable meeting rooms- that you'll also find one of the hotel's food spaces: a sports bar with (very) many TV screens around the circular bar and on the walls, showing live broadcasts of soccer and basketball matches. On the menu: finger food and street food, to be enjoyed with a pint of beer and bets.

On the first floor, a second dining area with an atmosphere worthy of an American diner offers the great classics of American cuisine, including burgers, fries, sundaes and caesar salads, in a retro decor of candy-pink and mint-water green. A trip back to the '50s!

But to discover the big surprise of Mama Shelter La Défense, you'll have to climb to the top floor to enjoy an impressive view of Paris. It's on the 14th floor that the hotel unveils a panoramic restaurant with a colourful decor and anelectric atmosphere, as well as a small rooftop - secured by glass, to reassure those who are afraid of heights!

The menu features Asian-inspired dishes by chef Pierre Chomet, a standout candidate in Top Chef 2021, as well as signature cocktails that are sure to please, and we'll tell you all about them in our review!