Mama Shelter Lille

The XXL room was roomy, modern, and stylish, with cozy bedding and plenty of space to unwind. The location near the train station and city center made it easy to explore on foot, and breakfast was fresh with lots of choice, from pastries and fruit to hot food and good coffee. Mama Shelter Lille has a lively, playful feel. Comfort was affected by a couple of problems. The air conditioning barely worked, leaving the room hot and stuffy at night. Open windows didn't provide enough ventilation, and sleeping was difficult. There was also a blackout and power trip, and it took a long time to get the issue sorted. It seemed there wasn't technical staff on-site to deal with it promptly, which was frustrating for a well-known brand. The design, food, and location gave the hotel a lot going for it, but the poor air conditioning and slow support made the stay less comfortable. It could be good with better maintenance and quicker problem-solving. As it was, it was stylish and convenient, but still needed more substance behind the style. 3.5/5.

Dinner was excellent, and the DJ sets made eating in feel lively. The location was great too. Breakfast was uneven. The first morning was fine, but on the second there seemed to be only about half as much as before. Butter, milk, cereal, and yoghurt were missing at first. We later found some of the food in a far corner, away from the rest of the spread. The hot water for tea was set up in a way that felt a little dangerous, and it would've helped if someone had explained the breakfast setup on day one since it was different from other hotels we've stayed at. We'd also been told the terrace room was somewhere to relax. The first time we went, we walked into a private function without realizing it. The door was wide open and there was no sign at all, which was incredibly embarrassing for us and for the people there, who kindly had to ask us to leave.

The hospitality was excellent. We were welcomed warmly, felt at home, and every request seemed easy for the staff to handle. The location is great too. The parking was a real problem. I selected a hotel with parking in the booking.com filter and asked in the notes for a spot to be reserved. I got no reply and assumed it was fine. I even phoned two hours ahead and was told there was space, but when we arrived the lot was full. It took nearly an hour to find somewhere else and get back, so we felt a bit tricked, especially considering what we paid. The pillows were flat as pancakes and a nightmare to sleep on, and I expected to wake with a stiff neck. The mattress had a dip in it, possibly from a very heavy person sleeping there the day before. The bathroom sink was filthy and flooding, and the shower didn't get hot at all, it was cold.

The restaurant had good food and a lively atmosphere. The rooms were spacious and tidy, making this a great place to stay.