Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HOT HOTEL STYLE COUNSEL
Mama Shelter, Lisbon, Portugal
VIBE
Panoramic views over the Portuguese capital stretch for miles from the rooftop bar of the newly launched and rather eccentric Mama Shelter Lisboa.
From the city’s mish-mash of terracotta rooftops to Europe’s longest suspension bridge over the Tagus River, guests can soak up the sights to the beats of the DJ spinning the decks from up on the ninth floor – comparatively high for Lisbon.
Grab an Aperol spritz as you relax on the Balinese beds in amongst the elaborately tiled tables and colour-popping cushions, or try one of the venue’s signature cocktails.
Night launches into full swing with DJ sets and live bands performing on the 200-capacity rooftop, up to five times a week.
STYLE
In the sexy signature style of the French family-run chain, the new Mama Lisboa promises a fun, playful atmosphere from the outset.
With the prominent displays of sex toys, condoms and erotic oils in reception, it’s clear that anything goes. In the 130 rooms, along with the free wi-fi, organic toiletries and photo booths, X-rated films are all part of the package.
Ceilings are decorated with
distinctive black and white sardine prints – one of many customdesigned nods to Portuguese culture.
FOOD AND DRINK
Succulent chargrilled octopus, caramelised aubergine, steak tartare and cod fish caesar salad are just some of the local classics and French specialities on offer.
There are also Mama favourites such as cheeseburgers and steaks as well as the chain’s famous pizzas from €10.
Brunch is best after a big night out – try the prawn and pulled pork tacos, fruit tarts and creme brulee, get social with a cheese and charcuterie sharing platter, then hit the cocktails named after some of Portugal’s famous faces.
WHAT TO DO
Start the day with a spinning session or yoga class up on Mama’s rooftop. Stretching out the aches from the night before while breathing in the clean air and taking in the view was exactly what was needed after some firstnight overindulgence.
You can book a surfing lesson on the Costa da Caparica with its crashing Atlantic waves and glorious sandy beaches. I was part of a group of novices and hadn’t expected to see so many of us standing up, riding the waves after only an hour.
Afterwards stroll down to the relaxed beach club, Irmao, which is hidden in the dunes. Soak up the ‘no worries’ surf vibes over cocktails brought to your sunbed, Bali bed or in the gypsy saloon.
Back in town, just a 15-minute walk from the hotel is the gorgeous shopping gallery of Embaixada. Located in the Ribeiro da Cunha Palace, one of the most emblematic buildings of the trendy Príncipe Real neighbourhood, it brings together designers, fashion, crafts, cuisine and Portuguese culture with soulful Fado concerts at the grand entrance. To sample food from some of Portugal’s best chefs, visit the city’s Time Out market, a buzzy, upbeat food hall in Cais do Sodre.
Then explore the Alfama old town with its steep cobbled streets, as well as the bohemian Bairro Alto area where you must take a ride on the cute yellow cars of the Ascensor da Bica and Ascensor da Glória up and down Lisbon’s famous hills.
Room rates at Mama Shelter start at around £75 a night. mamashelter.com/lisboa
MORE INFO visitlisboa.com
BY MICHAEL SCULLY
IN contemplating today’s final showdown, Ronan O’gara recalls the last words said by Paul O’connell before Munster went out and broke through their glass ceiling.
The year was 2006, the venue Cardiff as the Reds – at the third attempt – got over the line to become Europe’s top dogs.
O’gara can today become only the second man in Champions Cup history to win a final as a player and as a head coach. To do that his La Rochelle team must overcome one of Leinster’s best ever sides.
The French giants may have battered the Blues into submission in last year’s semi-final but O’gara admits they will need more at the Stade Velodrome to win the tournament for the first time.
“I just remember the Biarritz final and there was a feeling from Paul O’connell to the rest of the players, ‘We’ve got to play boys’,” recalled O’gara.
“What excites me is that my team can play. We need to get the ball into Jeremy Sinzelle’s hands, we need to get outside and then we’ve got juicy forwards.
“Leinster have got great threats but it excites me coaching this team. I don’t know where it’ll end. It may not be a happy ending here but I’m hopeful it will. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did, I’m just trying to instil that in the boys.
“They’re just so willing but where we are now mentally is that I’d like to think we won’t lose. With the quality of team we’re up against, Leinster won’t lose it. We’re going to have to beat them.”
The first man to win the tournament as a player and a head coach? That was Leo Cullen, who achieved the feat with Leinster as the top man in Bilbao in 2018, having lifted the trophy as captain three times.
And Cullen will sit in the other coaching box this afternoon in Marseille.
O’gara, then, would be joining an exclusive club if La Rochelle get over the line, something they failed to do against Toulouse at Twickenham in last season’s decider when the Irishman was assistant coach to Jono Gibbes. Having reached the summit with Munster twice, in 2006 and 2008, Reds supporters would take extra pleasure in their legendary No.10 beating Leinster at the final hurdle here.
“I don’t think about those things until they are achieved,” said the Corkman. “You can’t be certain but you would hope it would happen at some stage, whether that’s tomorrow, next year or whenever...keep going.
“I love it here, we have a great group, good boys that have bought into the vision, the dream of competing on both fronts. It’s a privilege to coach them. We’ve had many downs and losing two finals is desperately disappointing but it took me six years as a player to win one.
“It’s a fantastic competition, I love it. I think we have the 23 to win it but we are up against a very classy team, we know that but we have enjoyed the journey.
“Our captain Greg Alldritt has said that the Top 14 is a marathon and the Champions Cup is a sprint and it’s on in a mythical stadium. We’re involved and we’re very privileged to be the last two dancing. We want to make the most of it.”
As O’gara himself acknowledged, it is a “massive boost” that Leinster slayer Will Skelton is available to him after it was feared he would miss the final with a calf injury.
As for what sort of a game he is expecting, the 43-year-old said he has tried to prepare for various scenarios.
“There are certain elements of Leinster’s game you have to respect and you have to get a handle on otherwise it’s going to be a long day for us,” said O’gara.
“But I think what is important for our team is that we play. I was that guy that froze in a first final and that happens. People will freeze but you’re just hoping that not too many of the boys will.”