Review of Standard Design Hotel, by Angela Moore

Near the Place de la Bastille and on the edge of the Marais, Le Standard Design flies the flag for a budget chic design hotel in Paris. The area is trendy and fun, with several good (and good value) bars and brassieres nearby.

The facilities

Le Standard Design is decked out in black and white, with a tiny lobby lounge and a lift to all four floors. This design hotel is small, cool and unpretentious. There is internet access from a laptop set up in the lobby and you get free Wi-Fi in your room. Other than that, all frilly amenities have been slashed to lower the rates - no room service, no gym, no hairdryers, no mini bars (though snacks and drinks, including champagne, are available from reception).

A decent breakfast is available at the design hotel, it is served in a charming room on the top floor, with white-painted beams and skylights. Staff are unflustered and friendly, happily calling cabs and giving advice on where to eat and what to see.

The rooms

The sharp black and white décor of the design hotel is carried through the rooms of Le Standard Design. Vibrant orange or pink curtains liven up the colour scheme - there are also blackout blinds for those wishing to sleep off a big night out. Rooms are immaculate, clean-lined and quite stark; not a lot of furniture. They also vary in size; the larger deluxe doubles are very spacious.

Despite the lack of amenities, Le Standard Design gets the important things right. Good beds make up for cheap plastic storage bins in the bathrooms. The black-tiled showers are good, lighting is great, TVs are flat-screen and the climate control is effective. Cool, unpretentious and friendly, in a great part of town, this design hotel is an excellent choice for those seeking comfort, some style and no frills.