It’s difficult to say exactly what will greet guests when they arrive at La Monnaie Art and Spa Hotel in La Rochelle, France, as the art part changes regularly thanks to a collaboration with a local gallery. What we can say for certain is that the hotel, a member of the Design Hotels fold, will be a visually entertaining treat for the eyes while the spa facilities treat the body.

The building’s age belies the modern décor; it was constructed in 1656, but owners Sylvette and Pascal Lebeau have gone for a very contemporary look. A rather fearsome Cerberus-like creature licking an ice-cream stands sentry by the front door, and the bold yet sweet theme continues inside. Black and white striped wallpaper with a pastel blue armchair, textured grey wallpaper to pink archway. It’s not shy.

The Lebeau’s art collection contains work by Hélène Jousse, Nicolas Benedetti and Liz Bono among others, so if you like your hotels modern and brave, we’ll stick our neck out and say you can’t do much better than La Monnaie.