Hotel Les Dames du Pantheon, Paris

As its name suggests, this Parisian favourite is set right opposite the Pantheon itself, enjoying a prime location in the French capital’s Latin Quarter. But, it’s not just the next-door Luxembourg Gardens that impress here, with its delightful bar, breakfasts and rooms recalling all of Paris’s many sensuous facets.

Spread across five floors, the Hotel Les Dames reflects the rich history of France and Paris. On the first, rooms, dressed in lush reds and stretched silks, are inspired by the Belle Époque of the 1800s. Then, one floor up, retro colours revisit the 1950s with floral prints, vintage radios and flea-market finds. Then, on the third, velvet accents and vintage mirrors evoke the world of 19th-century author George Sand, while the fourth floor pays homage to 1940s jazz culture with black furnishings and music scores. Lastly, the top two floors are given over to African ebonies and ivories, along with the Indochina of Marguerite Duras. Think Geisha prints and deep-red fabrics.

You can also expect the likes of Nespresso coffee machines, lion-foot bathtubs and luxury toilets. What’s more, views range from the peaceful Rue Clotaire and the hotel’s interior courtyard to Notre Dame and the Pantheon itself. Those with balconies are particular favourites. Outside the rooms, the boudoir aesthetic continues into the welcoming bar. Here, fine teas and wines are served up to views of the Pantheon’s columns, invited in by picture windows. Breakfasts are equally impressive, with just-baked pastries, homemade pancakes and bacon-brushed eggs among the highlights. Lastly, although there is no full-service restaurant, there are dozens of fantastic restaurants nearby. This is Paris, after all.