Kube Rooms - Paris

As its name suggests, the Kube hotel is dominated by one particular geometric shape in its interior design. In addition to, obviously, lots of cubes, the themes of coolness and transparency, which are emphasised throughout the public spaces are offset by the warming sense of privacy and comfort that pervades the guestrooms. The courtyard of the revamped 19th century building features a see-through cube, which contains the necessary reception facilities in a suitable way. Oozing a sleek iciness in its public spaces, the 31 guestrooms and 10 suites of the hotel turn the heat up a little with warm touches added to the arctic-geometric theme. Black and white faux-fur curtains give the space a definite cuddly feel whilst readily living up to the chic provided by the pastel-coloured furniture in tarnished glass. Despite the feeling of having walked onto the set of an achingly smart 60s sci-fi classic, the materials are distinctly modern and the design, overall, also aims to break with any sense of traditional conformity: The beds are lit from beneath, creating the illusion of levitation, which definitely adds to the overall sense of spaciousness, clarity and calm. Kube is future-retro made real. This stylish bar serves as the heart of the hotel in which youll find yourself transported to a rather futuristic space, complete with generously high ceilings, lots of stainless-steel gratings, floor-to-ceiling curtains and a long counter in tarnished silver. Cubic seats and lounge chairs accented in fur set off the black glass of the walls, which are animated in turn by a whole row of plasma-screen televisions. The Lounge bar is open from 7am to 2am daily.