With its soft monochromes, modern colours and funky furniture, St Paul Hotel in Montreal appears to have leapt straight from the pages of an interior design magazine. The decor is based on four of the earth's elements: fire, ice, earth and sky, making a simple yet effective statement throughout the hotel. Situated in close proximity to many of the city's favourite landmarks such as Notre-Dame Basilica, the main shopping street of Rue Saint Catherine and under the glare of Mont- Royal, the location is spot-on.

The facilities

The hotel is all about the 24-hour clock and this includes the use of the facilities. The concierge service is available morning, noon and night, as is the business centre for those all-important urgent emails. The hotel gym door is open for guests who need to tire themselves out before bed or use it as an early morning wake up call. If the desire to do anything other than relax is more pressing, book an in-room massage and you won't even have to move from the boudoir.

The rooms

The ambience of the hotel's 120 rooms and suites differ dependent on the which floor you stay on. Alternating between two different categories of earth rooms and sky rooms, bedrooms are furnished in reds, browns and oranges or are white, bright and airy. Muslin drapes hang above beds whilst linen curtains add a touch of the serene. Bathrooms are fashioned with marble and mosaic tiles to further glam the place up. Spend summer months with the shutters open and views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Winter months should include a snuggle under the faux fur blanket.