Hôtel Le A in Paris is the perfect antidote to Slade, tinsel and inflatable snowmen. Just looking at the website is an escape from all the naffness going on. A townhouse with impeccable interior designed by Frédéric Méchiche, it has a glass-roofed bar, lounge and library, and 26 rooms (two with disabled access) of fabulous simplicity. There's 24-hour room service, and it's all just a stone's throw from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées. Published room rates are from €320, but if you start entering dates on the booking area they instantly drop to €199 this month.

Hôtel Le A, 4 rue d'Artois (00 33 1 5533 1655, heart-of-paris-hotels.com).