Hotel Madame Rêve, Paris, France

Walk south to visit the Louvre Museum and the banks of the Seine, or head east for the small museums and independent shops of the Marais.

In the 1st arrondissement, between rue Étienne Marcel and rue Coquillière, the hotel is near Les Halles and Louvre-Rivoli Métro stations.

By plane: London or Manchester to Paris Charles de Gaulle takes 1 hour 15 minutes, after which, it's a 45-minute drive to the hotel. On-site parking costs €70 per day. Book flights to Paris.

By train: London to Paris Gare du Nord takes 2 hours 20 minutes, after which, it's a 15-minute drive to the hotel. Book trains to Paris.

Formerly part of the grand arcaded post office, this luxury hotel perfectly blends its past with a contemporary verve. The floor tiles are marked '1888', and you can even still post a letter next door.

Uniformed staff deliver five-star service. There's no grand lobby, just a couple of reception desks. Lifts take guests to the upper-level bedrooms, reastaurants and rooftop terrace. The hotel even has its own rose and cedar-scented perfume.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Garden
• Gym
• Spa
• On-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms with unique interiors are set over three floors; think wood-panelled walls, leather furniture and neutral fabrics. Over half of the rooms have a balcony with views. We loved the books about art and Paris on the coffee tables.

Room types: Deluxe, Deluxe Terrace, Superior, Executive, Executive Terrace, Junior Suite, Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, air conditioning, desk, TV, mini bar, free Wi-Fi

For contemporary Japanese cuisine, try La Plume Rive Droite on the rooftop. Ground floor Kitchen by Stéphanie Le Quellec delivers contemporary French cuisine in an enchanting high-ceilinged room.

La Plume Rive Droite: rooftop restaurant and terrace, Japanese cuisine. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Kitchen by Stéphanie Le Quellec: contemporary French cuisine, all-day dining, open daily (8:30-1am).