Mr & Mrs Smith

A lovely quiet and well-placed boutique hotel with excellent service. Unfortunately our room was not ready on arrival but they kindly upgraded us to the Oscar Wilde suite. The suite had a beautiful terrace for drinks and an ornate wooden bathroom with a large bath and shower and two basins. The decor of the hotel was ornate, with aubergine, gold and red upholstery, neoclassical pillars and cornicing. We had drinks in the small but relaxed and glamourous bar, followed by the unseen tasting menu. The food and service in the restaurant were exquisite. All in all, a fabulous night away without the children.

Amateurs of cheese and wine could do a lot worse than going to La Fromagerie (+33 (0)1 43 26 50 31) at 64 rue seine, just a short walk from the hotel, for lunch. With selection plates ranging from five to 25 cheeses (as well as charcuterie options), sharing in the delights of France's cheese could not be easier. You can even buy vaccum-packed cheese for your return journey! A simple yet filling dinner option is to walk to Pancake Square (+33 (0)1 43 26 27 65) at 10 rue des canettes, where the typical Brittany fare is served on long communal tables (well, there's an inch gap between each table!) Service is fast, ambience is friendly and the queue outside on the pavement is huge, so plan to arrive before hunger takes over!

Having the set lunch at this hotel's restaurant (the Michelin-starred Le Restaurante) should be almost compulsory as the food is delicious. Also take the opportunity to book the hotel's swimming pool for a private swimming experience (which can include a glass of champagne as well) for a romantic and relaxing time.