Since 2015, Mama Shelter’s funky boutique hotel has wowed Angelenos and tourists alike with the most stunning rooftop bar restaurant setting in all of Los Angeles. In view of the Hollywood sign in the heart of Hollywood’s Vinyl District, this colorful hip scene surrounded by massive potted plants and cozy lounge couches offers 360-degree views of the City of Dreams.

Due to rain (which let’s be honest happens twice a year in LaLaLand), we recently discovered the same rooftop cocktails down below in Mama’s Bar AND a memorable menu at Mama’s Kitchen for both dinner and brunch. This is just another reason to come to Mama Shelter LA and turn a night or two here into a Hollywood staycation.

Use Mama Shelter as your home base and amongst your intermittent LA exploration, devour amazing bites and sips. Find Happy Hour on the main floor from Wednesday – Sunday from 4 – 8 PM and an all-night Bar Menu from 4 pm to close where Boujie Fries with truffle, parm, and furikake are an LA must. Cocktails like the Mamacita make a good spicy start with cucumber and grapefruit-infused gin, elderflower, grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, hibiscus, and jalapeño or revive yourself with the Wake Me up with Meili vodka, Bomani Cold Buzz, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, and Averna Amaro.

Chef Jonathan Kim is the genius behind the menu’s creations. Try his $14 Bulgogi Cheesesteak worth sharing (or hoarding) that is beautifully presented and enhanced with caramelized onion, pickled jalapeno, spicy mayo, and mozzarella on a housemade sesame roll.

Order other knockout dishes like Lobster Risotto with peas and Braised Short Rib with decadent bites of confit crisp sweet potato, thumbelina carrot, and rice cake, topped with pickled jalapeno and radish.

We would drive from Malibu to Hollywood just for the Chef’s brunch menu, especially the Pork Belly Fried Rice, a cacophony of flavors like grilled kimchi, carrots, sesame, fried egg, and ginger scallion aioli loaded with big chunks of pork belly. A breakfast burrito, strawberry pancakes, and bottomless mimosas are more reasons to amplify a Sunday here. Make brunch reservations from 8 AM – 2 PM on weekends.

No need to go home as Mama wants you to stay. With nearly nightly dynamic programming (DJs, drink specials, dance parties, and more), there’s always something going on thanks to Mama.

Mama Shelter Los Angeles has 70 simple but eclectic rooms outfitted with king-sized beds, scrumptious linens, and a few fun zany masks hanging by the bed (for good fun or maybe role-playing later?) Larger Mama rooms come with a desk and XXL rooms are great for families. Free movies included (even X-rated – oh my!).

You gotta love Mama!

Did you know Mama Shelters can be found all over the world? As a travel advisor with Fora, my clients have loved the affordable hip rooms, many with jaw-dropping rooftops in cities like Lisbon, Athens, Paris, Bordeaux, Prague, and beyond.