Cédric Gobilliard is an expert in creating distinctive, location-driven boutique hotels. As COO of the stylish yet welcoming Mama Shelter Hotels, he brings experience from long executive roles at Disneyland Paris and Club Med and later at Accor Hotels. These specialized properties deliver what specific groups of guests want, need and expect, but Gobilliard says what sets Mama Shelter apart is a personal approach: no two “Mamas” look or feel exactly the same.
© Francis Amiand
Founded in Paris 15 years ago, Mama Shelter’s name combines two emotionally charged words. Gobilliard emphasizes that each Mama Shelter reflects its location—often highlighted by standout rooftop bars and lively patios—while also projecting the warmth and personality of a private home, an effect shaped by interior designer Benjamin El Doghaïll.
“Mama is more than a hotel, restaurant, or a bar,” said El Doghaïll. “It’s a living place… a place to meet, eat, drink, sing, and dream. Mama offers an experience for every type of traveler, and we receive our guests like a family does. Each one has a soul inspired by its location and is shaped by the art, culture, gastronomy and stories of its surroundings. Democratic and tolerant, catering for work and leisure, we welcome anyone with a sense of inquisitiveness and an adventurous spirit.”
© Francis Amiand
Gobilliard says Mama Shelter plans to grow to around 50 locations worldwide, with two new openings expected in 2024. Mama Shelter Dubai, targeted for late winter or spring, is envisioned as a modern oasis featuring 197 rooms and 204 apartments, multiple dining concepts, a terrace with four pools, an outdoor CinéMama and other inventive amenities designed for both relaxation and social life.
In June 2024 Mama Shelter will also open in Nice’s central Riquier neighborhood, serving as a pied-à-terre for visitors to the southern French port city. Minutes from the Old Port on foot, the Nice hotel will offer 102 rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop with a pool—continuing the brand’s focus on lively public spaces and a strong sense of place.
© Francis Amiand
Significant openings planned for 2025 and 2026 include several global additions that reflect Mama Shelter’s mix of social energy and practical amenities:
- Mama Shelter Medellín, located in the El Poblado district, will serve as a home-away-from-home in Latin America with extensive co-working facilities—more than 9,800 square feet—and about 1,600 square feet of meeting space to accommodate remote workers and local events.
- Mama Shelter Zürich will sit in the Oerlikon shopping district near the city center, offering 178 rooms, an essential rooftop area, approximately 1,800 square feet of meeting space and three private karaoke rooms for social gatherings.
- Mama Shelter Casablanca will be positioned as a pioneering lifestyle hotel in Africa, with 92 design rooms, 49 apartments, two restaurants including a rooftop venue, meeting facilities and a large pool to support both leisure and business travel needs.
- Mama Shelter Singapore on Killiney Road will occupy a residential-feeling neighborhood close to shophouses and small restaurants, offering 115 rooms and a friendly local atmosphere that complements Singapore’s vibrant culinary scene beyond hawker centres.
- After the success of Mama Shelter Hollywood, the Downtown Los Angeles property will aim to bring more fun into business travel, featuring 149 rooms, two restaurants and a coffee shop, with easy access to the area’s cultural and artistic attractions.
Across all locations, Mama Shelter pursues a consistent philosophy: blend local culture, design and social spaces in a democratic, inclusive setting that welcomes travelers seeking comfort, creativity and a memorable sense of place.