Newly created by the founders of the Club Med and French philosopher, Cyril Aouizerate, Hotel Mama Shelter was designed by Philippe Starck to offer an eclectic and electric ambiance thanks to its friendly, warm and casual common areas. The hotel is housed in a new building in the rapidly-changing Charonne district of Paris' 20th arrondissement, a once gritty working-class area previously overlooked by the hotel industry but becoming popular as an alternative to the more touristic central districts. Cyril Aoizerate and his company Urbantech's philosophy were to integrate Hotel Mama Shelter into its local environment; this is achieved mainly with the common areas, and the exterior, which look like apartments.

The rooms are both sensual and elegant, with Philippe Starck's signature color contrasts, as well as features such as Apple iMac TVs, 100% satin cotton sheets and luxury bedding. A restaurant on-site provides simple and delicious cuisine; there's also a bar and lounge called Chic-Chic, as well as a French Brasserie and a comfortable, romantic terrace where you might cross paths with the local artist's community who currently choose the area to live in. If you're feeling a bit stressed, you might want to go down to the Yoga room – another of Hotel Mama Shelter's innovative features – or even play a game of giant table football. For music lovers, one of Paris's most renowned international live music venues, La Fleche d'Or, is just across the street.

The Hotel Mama Shelter is situated in the Charonne district, at the southeast corner of Père Lachaise cemetery, where Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Fédéric Chopin are buried. The nearest metro stations are Alexandre Dumas and Porte de Bagnolet.