THE FACTS ABOUT KUBE ROOMS AND BARS

France Paris

This 41-room hotel, hidden on a quiet cul-de-sac in the working-class 18th arrondissement near Montmartre, is the latest venture from the team behind the citys über-trendy Murano Urban Resort. The fun starts as soon as you open the discreet front door: the check-in area is a glowing plexiglass cube in the middle of a courtyard, which leads to a cavernous lounge bar decked out in synthetic-fur sofas, plasma screens and state-of-the-art music speakers disguised as red ceiling lanterns. The lifts are lined with fluorescent pony skin, but the spacious rooms are predominantly white with a few playful touches such as mauve plexiglass stools, hot-pink bean bags and fake-fur curtains (with slippers to match). The cube-shaped bath-showers are a design conceit too far, but the Anne Semonin products are spot-on. The Kubes biggest draw is the Ice Kube Bar, the first of its kind in Paris and popular with a young crowd eager to brave the sub-zero temperatures for a 30-minute swilling session, with flavoured vodkas served in ice glasses on a glacial bar counter. Delicious organic breakfasts are served in the lounge bar, where lunch and dinner are also available. A shuttle to and from the Murano Urban Resort is planned for later this year. WHEN TO GO Summer for a bracing chill-out experience in the bar. ROOM TO BOOK Suite 409, for the large terrace and rooftop view of Sacré Coeur. CONTACT 15 passage Ruelle, Paris, France (00 33 1 42 05 20 00; www.kubehotel.com). COST Doubles from 300 euros; suites from 750 euros. Ice Kube bar, 38 euros for a 30-minute session