Airport hotels, all else equal, are rarely anyone’s first choice. But airline schedules being what they are, they’re an occasional inevitability. They’re awful, of course, almost without exception. But it’s the exceptions which just might restore your faith in the whole enterprise of hospitality. There’s really no great need for citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle to be as impressive as this, and we love a hotel that goes further than it strictly has to.

What does this mean? The simple fact of its eye-catching modern design means the citizenM leaves other airport hotels far behind. The additional fact that these arresting rooms also make great functional use of their somewhat limited space is a perennial citizenM selling point. And of course the informal, self-service concept of the 24-hour reception, lounge and canteen suits layover guests to a tee — air travel rarely defers to scheduled mealtimes, and late-night arrivals could generally do without the whole reception-desk song and dance.

All you’re really left wishing is that it were closer to Paris itself. There’s no popping out for a stroll to the corner bakery, that’s for sure. But if that’s your concern, then for all its charms this citizenM isn’t aimed at you. Put this one on your list for the next time you’ve got an overnight layover.