NUMBER OF ROOMS: 59 rooms
CLOSED ANNUALLY: Open all year round

THE STORY: The pitch? A 7000 m² former post office sorting facility that’s been converted into a hotel by Philippe Starck for the French group Evok. At Brach, far from his normal organic style, the French designer put together a warm space, bringing together daily objects, artwork and luxurious materials – tobacco leather, marble, rosewood… He set the scene with a delightful mish mash of global influences, all perfectly bathed in light from the windowed façade. Double rooms starting at €410, as you might expect from a five-star hotel.

TOILETRIES: Brach soap, body wash and shampoo.
INTERNET: Wifi (free)
MINI-BAR: No, but there’s a mini concept store in every room, with a selection of novels from the start of that year’s literary season.
LITTLE LUXURY: The rooftop terrace, with a vegetable patch, a chicken coop and uninterrupted views of Paris!