This Southern California Hotel Combines Old Hollywood Vibes And Laid-Back Bohemian Style
By Natasha Kayes|Published November 29, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
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I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
As much I love traveling to far-off places, from other cities to other states to other countries, I am also a big fan of the staycation. Sometimes staying close to home is necessary because I don’t have the time or budget for a big trip; other times, I just want to explore nearby places that I haven’t experienced yet. The latter was the case when I heard about Mama Shelter Hotel in Los Angeles. The name was just part of what intrigued me about the hotel, so I decided to take a little solo overnight trip into the city to experience it for myself, and I was not disappointed.
Located in the heart of Hollywood, Mama Shelter is one of the coolest boutique hotels in LA, just a block from Hollywood Boulevard and super close to the historic Pantages Theater, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Sunset Strip, museums, theaters, etc.
Natasha Kayes
Check-in was easy and the staff was incredibly friendly. The girl who checked me in gave me some great recommendations - what to try at the bar and restaurant, etc. - even showing me pics of her favorite dessert on her phone.
The hotel has six stories with 70 designer rooms. I was assigned to a cool corner room on the 4th floor with a view of the Hollywood sign.
Natasha Kayes
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Guest rooms have an old Hollywood glam vibe with crown moldings and recessed black ceilings combined with contemporary furnishings and comfy beds. I settled in and decided to relax for a bit, especially since Mama offers free movies and streaming channels.
Natasha Kayes
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The huge mirror in my room had my name written on it along with welcome messages like “Mama Loves You!”
Natasha Kayes
I discovered that Mama adds some cool and quirky touches I haven’t seen in other hotel rooms. There was a novel on the bedside table, two blockbuster movie scripts on the desk, a bowl of fresh fruit and a homemade cookie, and a beverage fridge with complimentary boxed still water and Evian sparkling water.
Natasha Kayes
Oh, and Looney Tunes character masks on the reading lamps! Mine were Daffy Duck and Tom (you know, Jerry’s frenemy).
Time to explore! I couldn’t wait to see the beautiful rooftop bar and lounge. There was a giant mirror in the elevator lobby with tons of helpful info, daily happenings, specials, etc. This is where I learned that early birds can get free Lavazza coffee in the morning (5 a.m. to 8 a.m.)
Natasha Kayes
Unfortunately, it was extremely windy the night I was there, so the rooftop bar and lounge were closed.
Natasha Kayes
There are events on the roof frequently, such as DJ sets, dance parties, and more. On Sundays (when I was here) Mama’s Shelter hosts Utopia, a DJ set and dance party which is ticketed for the public but free to hotel guests. The weather didn’t stop the fun; the event was moved down to the lobby bar area for the night.
I did stay up there for a few minutes enjoying the great views of Hollywood from the roof before heading back downstairs.
Natasha Kayes
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Before dinner, I decided to take advantage of Happy Hour. I took a seat at the lively bar where there was a fun, eclectic mix of people and attentive bartenders.
Natasha Kayes
I tried a cocktail called Glamping and the Cambodian Street Corn (which the girl at the front desk had highly recommended.) Both were fantastic! The corn had a sort of Thai Curry essence and was served with coconut cream and fresh lime. I would definitely order it again.
Natasha Kayes
Dinner at Mama’s Kitchen was exceptional. For starters, the restaurant is really cozy, cute, and comfortable, and the waitstaff was so friendly! My server made great suggestions and answered my questions.
Natasha Kayes
I had a hard time choosing an entree, but ended up ordering the Braised Short Rib, which was tender, sweet (think Korean BBQ), and just slightly spicy… amazing. I highly recommend the fresh garlic rolls - they are served with creamy whipped butter and rosemary, and they literally melt in your mouth.
Natasha Kayes
For dessert, I tried something that was recommended to me at check-in (remember the photo I was shown?) - Banoffee. I will be honest. I was skeptical of a banana-heavy dessert, but I am happy to say I was wrong. It was sweet, creamy, and refreshingly different. And, oh so cute!
Natasha Kayes
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After dinner, and a little time hanging out listening to music, I had a great night’s sleep, then headed back to the restaurant in the morning for free coffee and yummy pumpkin “cruffin” (croissant muffin.)
Natasha Kayes
By morning, the wind had died down, so after checking out, I left my luggage with the front desk and headed back up to the gorgeous rooftop. Not only is there a colorful dining area with cute wooden tables, and that great view, but there are these huge daybeds with plush mattresses and tons of pillows - the perfect place to enjoy another cup of coffee before heading home.
Natasha Kayes
I recently mentioned the hotel’s rooftop in a list of some of the most awesome rooftop bars in Los Angeles, and it is just part of what makes this place special.
The hotel offers convenient 24-hour valet parking service right in front of the hotel entrance, and you can have your car brought out any time with a simple text message. Children and pets are welcome (there is a fee for pets).
I absolutely loved my stay at Mama Shelter! It is definitely one of the most unique places to stay in LA. Have you ever stayed at this boutique hotel? We would love to hear what you think in the comments. To book your own stay, a fantastic meal at Mama’s Kitchen, or to find out about rooftop events, head over to the Mama Shelter Los Angeles website or visit Mama Shelter on Facebook. You can also book a stay through Booking.com! Visiting Hollywood from out of town? See some of the best spots in the city on this awesome Hollywood Tour!
