Mama Shelter Brings Its Rule Breaking Hospitality Concept Asia

The highly-anticipated Mama Shelter Singapore is set to make its debut in the fourth quarter of 2025. Located on Killiney Road in the Somerset precinct, just off Orchard Road, this 115-room hotel will mark the brand’s first venture into Asia and its 20th location worldwide, following the success of its flagship hotel in Paris, which opened in September 2008.

Mama Shelter Singapore will feature the brand’s signature lobby, complete with an open-plan restaurant and island bar. The restaurant will also have pet-friendly tables, arcade games, and a raised stage for live performances. On the rooftop, guests will be able to enjoy a bar and restaurant, as well as a swimming pool.

“We have exciting plans for Mama Shelter Singapore, including live music, DJs, and comedy shows,” says Jérémie Trigano, who co-founded the brand with his father Serge and brother Benjamin.

The Trigano family has always sought to redefine the hotel experience, with a particular focus on their restaurants. “We saw ourselves primarily as a restaurant, and then as a hotel,” says Jérémie. “This is how we broke the traditional rules, as most hotels in France and Europe do not have restaurants within their premises.”

Their vision was to create a vibrant, all-day space anchored by a lively restaurant and bar, featuring a menu crafted by a top chef and drinks created by a leading mixologist. The bar also offers seating for solo diners, making it inclusive for all. “Mama Shelter is a multi-generational destination that welcomes people of all ages and groups,” adds COO of Ennismore Europe and Mama Shelter, Cedric Gobilliard.

With this unique F&B-driven concept, more than half of Mama Shelter’s revenue comes from food and beverage. “The restaurant is crucial to our success, as we want locals to return regularly. We offer themed programmes on weekdays and weekend brunches to keep things interesting,” says Gobilliard.

The flamboyant interiors of Mama Shelter Singapore are designed by renowned French duo Dion & Arles, who have also worked on the brand’s hotels in London, Lille, Paris West, and Rome. The property will feature a psychedelic ceiling mural by Lyon-based artist Benjamin Saillard, whose work can also be found in Mama Shelter properties in London, Luxembourg, and Toulouse. This mural celebrates Singapore’s maritime and cultural heritage.

The first Mama Shelter opened in Paris in 2008, in collaboration with designer Philippe Starck and Michelin-starred chef Alain Senderens. Today, the brand has three locations in Paris, as well as multiple properties in other cities in France, including Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon, and Nice.

Expanding its global reach, Mama Shelter has also opened locations in Belgrade, Prague, Lisbon, Luxembourg, and Rome. In 2015, the brand ventured outside of Europe for the first time, with the opening of its Los Angeles hotel, followed by London Shoreditch in 2019. The latest additions to the brand’s portfolio are Zurich, which opened in July 2021, and Singapore, set to open in November 2025. In 2022, Mama Shelter will open its first African location in Casablanca, followed by Bangkok in 2029. The ultimate goal is to have 50 Mama Shelter locations worldwide in the near future. “We plan to establish a presence in every major destination,” says Gobilliard.

The Trigano family chooses cities with which they have a personal connection when selecting locations for new Mama Shelter hotels. “We have visited Singapore many times before choosing this location. We love Singapore, just as we love Los Angeles, Paris, and Lisbon,” says Serge.

To expand Mama Shelter’s footprint, the Trigano family adopts an asset-light strategy, partnering with real estate owners who are interested in carrying the brand. About seven years ago, they met David Batchelor and Norman Winata, founding partners and directors of Singapore-based private equity firm Lucrum Capital. The two groups built a strong relationship over time, and now collaborate closely on the new Mama Shelter Singapore location.

When choosing sites, the Mama Shelter team looks for mixed-use, commercial-residential neighborhoods that attract a diverse crowd. “We want Mama Shelter to be a game-changer and a hotspot for locals, tourists, and business travelers,” adds Gobilliard.

Mama Shelter joined forces with Accor in 2014, and in 2021, it became part of Ennismore following a joint venture between Ennismore and Accor. Founded by London-based entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha in 2011, Ennismore oversees a portfolio of 16 boutique hospitality brands, including Mama Shelter, The Hoxton, Mondrian, 25hours Hotels, Hyde, and Morgans Originals. With over 180 hotels and 500 restaurants and bars currently in operation, Ennismore has another 400 outlets in the pipeline. In 2022, a Qatari consortium invested in Ennismore, valuing the company at over $2.3 billion. In August 2021, Bloomberg reported that Accor was considering listing Ennismore on a US stock exchange. While Accor remains a key shareholder in Ennismore, Ennismore now fully owns Mama Shelter.

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Located next to Yishun MRT station, Northpoint City is the premier retail destination near Miltonia Close EC. As the largest shopping mall in northern Singapore, it boasts a wide selection of more than 500 retail and dining options. It is truly a comprehensive lifestyle hub, offering residents a convenient one-stop destination for all their needs.

For daily essentials, FairPrice and Cold Storage are available, ensuring residents have easy access to their grocery needs. Meanwhile, the diverse dining options in Northpoint City cater to all taste buds – from local delights to popular international chains. Japanese, Korean, Western, and traditional hawker-style dishes can all be found under one roof. This makes it the perfect spot for running errands, grabbing a casual meal, or enjoying a fun family outing or weekend entertainment.

But that’s not all – Northpoint City goes beyond just retail and dining. It also houses a food court, numerous restaurants, fashion boutiques, bookstores, and even a library. This means that residents can fulfill all their lifestyle needs in one convenient location. With such a wide range of offerings, it’s no wonder that Northpoint City is the go-to destination for residents of Miltonia Close EC Khatib and beyond.

Following the success of Mama Shelter, the Trigano family is now launching a new hotel concept called “Oh Baby”. The brand focuses on affordable luxury and sustainability, with timber as its primary building material. The interiors are designed by Philippe Starck, and the architectural design is by French firm Valode & Pistre. According to a LinkedIn post, the Trigano family has secured EUR220 million with Atream, a French real estate and private equity asset manager, to fund the development of 15 Oh Baby hotels. The first location is set to open later this year.

In addition to their ventures in the hospitality industry, the Trigano family has also launched Casa Barbara, a hospitality-focused senior living concept. Similar to Mama Shelter, Casa Barbara offers a range of wellness activities, healthy food options, and a strong sense of community for its residents. The first Casa Barbara hotel opened in Nice in mid-2023, with a second location set to open in Molières-sur-Cèze, France, in summer 2025.

“Our family’s mission is to bring happiness to people through game-changing hospitality,” says Serge. “It all started with my father at Club Med, and we continue to uphold this mission with Mama Shelter, Casa Barbara, and now Oh Baby.”