Mama Shelter Belgrade

Here’s proof that the Mama Shelter hotels, even in the era of their Accor-backed expansion, still have adventure on their mind. When you imagine a hotel group taking the path of least resistance, Belgrade, the Serbian capital, doesn’t leap immediately to mind. But the way this town is going, it’s absolutely ripe for a stylish, budget-conscious, youth-oriented boutique hotel — and that, naturally, is the role that Mama Shelter Belgrade was born to play.

The design is by Philippe Starck protégé Jalil Amor, who worked on the original Mama Shelter in Paris all those years ago. This is no reproduction, however — the visual approach is as riotous and whimsical as ever, but the details are tailored to the setting, where Austria-Hungary meets the Balkans. And while the rooms do incorporate some bold design gestures, they’re simpler and more sedate than the public spaces, creating a transition in mood that’s almost luxurious, in its own intangible way.

The location, on Knez Mihailova, a pedestrianized street that anchors a shopping and entertainment district, could hardly be more central. But Mama Shelter is, as usual, something of an entertainment district unto itself. The Mama Belgrade restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas as well as Serbian classics and international dishes, and the open-air rooftop bar is an extremely hot ticket — be prepared to book in advance.