Hotel Daniel, Paris, France

• Luxury without pretension
• Muffled quiet of rooms at night
• The lift decorated by designer Tarfa Salam
• Fifth-floor rooms with balconies

• Impatient globetrotters who want minimalist accommodation, a swimming pool and ketchup on their steak tartare

"Hot List", Conde Nast Traveller 05

Children are welcome to stay at the hotel. The staff can arrange a babysitter if needed and provide an extra bed in suites. Interconnecting rooms are also an option for families.

For breakfast baguettes from the famous Kayser boulangerie, fresh pastries from Ladurée is served. Breakfast is available all day long in the convivial bar, restaurant and café. The young chef Denis Fetisson, who trained at Les Chênes Vert in Tourtour and Chez Nico in London, conjures up exotic oriental interpretations of traditional European dishes: honey-roast lamb with Sichuan sauce, Roquefort soufflé with pear and lemon thyme. His uncomplicated yet innovative creations recently helped the hotel to gain Relais & Chateaux membership.