Mama Shelter Lyon

Starck style, budget prices, professional hospitality thanks to the ownership’s Club Med connections — the Mama Shelter formula holds obvious appeal. What’s perhaps slightly surprising is that in addition to Paris, Los Angeles and Istanbul, it’s expanded into France’s secondary cities. But as with everything this partnership has done so far, it turns out to be a savvy move — if these youthful, stylish budget boutiques can thrive in the world’s most competitive hotel markets, they’ll absolutely clean up in a city as relatively underserved as Lyon.

The concept travels well: compact yet visually inspiring rooms, with only the amenities that matter, from comfortable beds and efficient layouts to free wi-fi and in-room iMacs serving as multi-purpose entertainment systems. They’re more fun than the city’s traditional luxury-hotel rooms, and miles beyond anything else you’ll find for the price, and if nobody’s about to mistake their rough-luxe street-art vibe for some kind of Amanresorts wannabe, well, that’s entirely the point.

Because this Mama, like its sisters, is about the social life, bringing a youthful and adventurous crowd together over cocktails, a spot of foosball, and a course or two of modern French cooking. Chances are, unless you’re up to something that absolutely requires privacy, you’ll spend the bulk of your time in the bar, the restaurant, or the lobby — if, Garbo-style, you just want to be alone, then this might not be the Grand Hotel for you.