Opening in 2023, Mama Shelter Rennes will embrace the character and culture of a lesser-known French city with its new ‘living intelligently’ concept. Rose Dykins reports
Boutique hotel brand Mama Shelter has announced the French city of Rennes as its next launch location.
Located in Northern France, Rennes is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, as well as being the city with the second-largest student population in France, which adds to its bustling atmosphere.
Mama Shelter Rennes is located in the heart of the city, moments from Place des Lices and the famous rue de la Soif. It is also a five-minute walk from the Sainte Anne metro station and 20 minutes from the nearest TGV rail station – which connects to Paris Montparnasse station in one hour and 30 minutes.
Being situated in the centre of a busy square, the hotel’s location is conducive to people watching, and exploring the independent food shops, restaurant cocktail bar and lounges. Complying with the Architectes des Bâtiments de France [conservation law], the vision is for the property to welcome locals as well as visitors from overseas, and to complement and support existing local businesses.
“We are now looking forward to sharing Mama’s festive spirit with the people of Rennes and all those who love Brittany. To invite them to experience and feel the city, in its restaurants and bars, which subtly tell its story. We’re also looking forward to welcoming fans of Mama’s in the heart and soul of Rennes.”
Its 119 bedrooms vary in size and shape. Some are nestled under roofing, and many have period features such as mouldings and fireplaces. All of them have Mama Shelter’s luxury bedding, and striking bathrooms with black and white striped tiles, and organic beauty products from the Mama Skin range. A one-night stay at Mama Shelter Rennes will start from €99 for a medium room.
The lobby features a large round counter adorned in a mosaic frieze of buckwheat pancakes – a delicacy of the area – in the Odorico brothers’ style, in honour of their cultural legacy in Rennes, which is home to a large concentration of their art deco mosaics.
The hotel’s rooftop provides an incredible view of the city’s 19th-century buildings, ramshackle 16th-century houses, and towers. Down in the the basement, several colourful karaoke rooms will be available to hire for groups.
Rennes is attracting an increasing number of visitors, as well as families who want to escape city life. The streets of its historic centre are loved for their half-timbered houses, while the Saturday morning covered market at Place de Lices is the place for experiencing the produce from the region’s market gardeners. fishmongers, cheese makers and florists.
In the bars of rue Saint-Michel, also known as rue de la Soif, visitors can sample Renne’s local beer, cider and cola (Breizh Cola). For music fans, the city has a thriving rock and alternative music scene, while its legendary Transmusicales festival sees locals sing sea shanties and folkloric songs.
“Mama Shelter is a unique place of economic and social vitality, breaking down codes and sharing its values of equality and freedom. Opening the first Mama in Brittany, in the centre of Rennes and in a listed building, is a testimony to the boldness of Mama Shelter’s disruptive concept and its sincere desire to unveil its brand and festive spirit to the people of Rennes and to travellers who are lovers of authenticity”.
Other forthcoming Mama Shelter openings…
Mama Shelter Dijon (June 2023)
Mama Shelter Dubai (late 2023)
It will be a larger-than-life Mama that embodies the idea of a resort in the heart of the city, recalling the origins of the Trigano family who founded the Mama Shelter group and co-founded Club Med.
Mama Medellín, Colombia (early 2024)
Mama Medellín will be located in the heart of the El Poblado district. The first Colombian Mama will have 150 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, more than 3,000 sqm of coworking space, 500 sqm of meeting rooms, and a swimming pool located on the first floor of the rooftop.