Review of Hotel Le A, by Nadia Latif

White is a controversial colour in the design hotel business. Nothing says 'top end' quite like it - think crisp white sheets, gleaming tiles and polished abstract surfaces. The only problem is, keeping things crisp, gleaming and polished provides no end of headaches - commercially speaking, the sheer number of people that pass through these places makes scuffs and spills pretty much a rule of thumb. But when a hotel, such as Le A in Paris, manages to pull off such a palette, then it's applauds all round.

The interiors were designed by Frédéric Mechiche - think white sofas, white chairs, soft white lighting, plenty of natural daylight and white pebbles heaped in the modern (white) fireplace. But, to break things up, chic black floorboards, bright coffee-table tomes (about art and design, naturally) and pastel coloured macaroons laid out for the complimentary afternoon tea. This hotel exudes sophistication.

There's no restaurant, but a buffet-style breakfast is provided each morning in the glass-roofed lounge area. There's also a smart little bar, perfect for pre-dinner cocktails. The surrounding area is a hotspot for chic little brassieres and drinking spots - finding somewhere to move on to is no trouble at all, and the staff are always happy to recommend.

There are 26 rooms in total, each with its own personality and individual style. By each bedroom door there's a little pencilled sketch, giving a clue as to what lies inside. Every room has a piece of kooky original art that in many cases covers entire walls - it's these little touches that make La A stand out from the crowd. In one, it's a flying donkey and ghost, done in wavery pastels. In another, a collection of sketched hats, or an erupting volcano.

All amenities are the same, whatever the room class - flatscreen televisions, bottles of Voss water, free WIFI and gorgeous black marble showers come as standard. As this is more of an adult-orientated design hotel, there are no extra beds provided for children - though certain rooms are interconnecting.