Review of Kube Hotel St Tropez, by Neville Walker

The latest outpost of Murano Hotels & Resorts and sister to Kube Hotel Paris, Kube Hotel St Tropez injects a note of South Beach designer cool into boho St Tropez, its white, minimalist architecture pepped up with splashes of neon, black and grey. Design-conscious couples will love the stylish but relaxed ambiance, from the valet parking at reception to the good looks and sharp threads of black-clad staff and guests alike: it's a place to dress casually, but fashionably and well. Though technically in Gassin, the Kube enjoys a prime position fronting the coast road into St Tropez, with the hotel's chauffeured hybrid Lexus taking care of the four-minute ride into town.

The hub of the hotel is the all-white al fresco bar and terrace at the front, overlooking the neon-lit pool and the sea. It's animated at most hours and a good spot to take breakfast in fine weather; guests otherwise breakfast in the adjacent, darkly stylish bar and restaurant. Tucked away at the back is a guests-only pool, overlooked by a six-room annexe and by the gym, spa complex and massage rooms. Kube's X-factor is undoubtedly the Grey Goose Ice KUBE bar in the basement. Chilled to -7˚ and with glasses made out of ice, it's the coolest spot in St Tropez come August, but guests are allowed a maximum thirty minute stay. There's private dining in the wine cellar or in a glass-walled annexe to the hotel's kitchen, and in summer there's a Skybar on the roof with 360˚ views, low sofas and a lawn.

There are just 41 air-conditioned rooms, reached by corridors of stygian gloom and ranging from 30m2 to a single 100m2 suite. They share a common look and many facilities: white walls, big, softly comfortable beds, Ligne Roset furnishings, flat screen TVs, espresso makers and a Playstation 3 apiece. Many have a balcony or terrace and a view over the pool to the sea. Well-equipped bathrooms boast rainwater showerheads, plenty of mirrors and 'kuboid' sinks and toilets, but some fittings have a fragile feel. The rooms' minimalism extends to the paucity of written information on how to work the lighting and entertainment systems, but staff will enlighten you. Desk space in smaller rooms is pinched if you need to work, but there's good storage and hanging space.