6 Rue Saint-Placide (6e), Paris, France.
To immerse yourself in the culture of the chic Left Bank, head straight to this contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés near Le Bon Marché department store. Originally a 19th-century family townhouse, it was completely redesigned in 2006 by Bruno Borrione, a partner of Philippe Starck. A mere 11 light-filled rooms on six colour-coded floors feature bespoke bark wallpaper, sleek white-and-chrome furniture and spacious bathrooms stocked with Molton Brown toiletries. The best rooms (51 and 52) feature a balcony over Rue Saint-Placide. There is no restaurant, but no need, with some of the best eateries in Paris just blocks away, including the dazzling Restaurant Hélène Darroze.
See full article: Parisian hotels: Chic magnetSource: Qantas The Australian Way November 2008