Best Fashion Hotels

The latest It hotels have style, substance and shopping in abundance. From haute couture to high-street chic, check into one of these hotels that have been tailor-made by fashion's finest.

CONTINENTALE, FLORENCE

WHY? Fans of the classic tailored lines of Ferragamo (whose son, Leonardo, owns the Lungarno hotel group) will love the chic simplicity of the Continentale.

WHERE? Overlooking the River Arno, just moments away from the sights and shops of the Tuscan capital, with its beautiful architecture, cultural gems and super-chic Italian style.

STAYING IN Some areas rock a pared-down Fifties vibe, while the coolly decorated bedrooms feature pale wood, modern four-poster beds and floor-skimming white curtains that set a romantic continental tone. The terrace bar, located on top of the hotel's medieval Consorti tower, is the ideal place to sip champagne in style amid the picturesque Florentine rooftops.

STYLE STEAL Think girlie retro, but updated. Upholster with block colours (black and candy pink), piped edging and a little chrome. Finish the look with a black and white fashion-photo montage for added attitude.

OUT AND ABOUT A UNESCO world heritage site, Florence is hardly short of attractions. The hotel is so close to the Uffizi gallery you can almost smell the oil paints of the masterpieces, and it takes less time to reach the top of the architecturally astounding Campanile than it does to finish a delicious cone of local gelati (try Carabé on Via Ricasoli). Fashionistas won't be disappointed when strolling through the designer-laden Via Tornabuoni - think along the spring/summer lines of Armani, Bulgari, Prada and Versace. Post-shopping spree, book a table at the trendy Seventies-inspired AC Firenze restaurant to refuel and relax with the local cool crowd.

MORE INFO Doubles from £380 inc breakfast in high season for a Classic double room (+39 055 27264000, lungarnohotels.com)

LE BELLECHASSE, PARIS

WHY? To immerse yourself in the true spirit of the Left Bank, amid the 19th-century elegance and exuberance of haute couturier Christian Lacroix's bijou boutique hotel.

WHERE? On a quiet street in arty St Germain - a Louboutin's totter from the Musée d'Orsay and the Louvre.

STAYING IN Lacroix's cosy rooms capture a sense of luxurious decadence. Decorated to fit seven themes, it's a real flight of fancy. You'll marvel at the combination of bright colours, rich materials and mural montages of giant butterflies, astrological motifs and playing cards. The visual feast extends to the lobby bar and breakfast room, which is made grand by pillared trompe l'oeil.

STYLE STEAL Inspired by the vibrant frescoes, create bespoke murals at home with help from Surface View's gallery collections.

OUT AND ABOUT Major sights aside, this area's buzzing with cafés, boutiques and galleries. Sample top chef Hélène Darroze's affordable Basque-inspired tapas at nearby Le Salon d'Hélène (4 Rue d'Assas). Over in Le Marais, find cool new lifestyle store Merci. Founded by the couple behind Bonpoint, this treasure trove of vintage and contemporary fashion and furniture design sells everything from Urquiola, Starck and Navone through to collectible flea-market finds.

MORE INFO Double rooms from £340 (+33 145 502231, lebellechasse.com).

25 HOURS HOTEL, FRANKFURT

WHY? Germany's fifth-largest city is everything a good pair of jeans should be - casual, reliable and effortlessly stylish.

WHERE? Housed in a former office building, right in the heart of Frankfurt's financial district.

STAYING IN While the quirky exterior's designed to look like a large cardboard box, inside the decor is inspired by the Levi's HQ next door, so expect plenty of nods to American pop culture. Each floor is dedicated to a decade, and various shades of blue are used throughout to unify the hotel's look. The overriding feel is one of playful minimalism, so feel free to put your feet up without worrying about wrecking the decor.

STYLE STEAL Rock memorabilia doesn't have to be naff; give iconic photographs design kudos by setting them in brightly coloured frames.

OUT AND ABOUT Head for Zeil for high-street and high-end shopping, or for indie stores visit Leiziger Strasse. Shopping missions complete, curb your hunger with a stroll down the Fressgass culinary mile (sausage-eating optional). When night falls, pay a visit to designer nightclub and futuristic restaurant Cocoon - it's like stepping aboard the starship Enterprise.