Getting there: So easy. Like many people from this part of the world, I was flying out of Paris' main airport because it's cheaper than leaving from London's Heathrow. The catch was, my flight to Los Angeles left at 7am (via Zurich, Switzerland), so for convenience I stayed overnight at an airport hotel, and it was one of the best ideas I've ever had. From Gare du Nord, the Metro dropped me at Terminal 3 in 30 minutes for 10 euros ($15.60). The three-star Ibis Styles, and its sister property Ibis, are two minutes' walk from the terminal and the CDGVAL terminal shuttle. You can't miss Ibis Styles at night - the sleek, modern exterior, with more than 300 rooms, glows bright with stylish, space-age lighting.
Check-in experience: This is a brand-new hotel and its contemporary, hip fit-out includes lots of hi-tech features - there's a sort of "selfie station" in the lobby - and interesting furniture and lighting. The ground floor is a hive of activity, housing Foody's Planet restaurant and bar. This intergalactic theme is continued throughout - my room had a cool satellite picture of the Moon covering one of its walls and galaxy-inspired carpet. The lobby also has children's toys, books and game consoles, and a few computers for the grown-ups with web access, though wi-fi is free throughout.
Room: A spacious studio, with a super-king bed, a desk, the aforementioned Moon motif, desk, white-wire shelf system for your clothes, and large flat-screen telly with multimedia capabilities. There were lots of powerpoints, a must when travelling with multiple devices, and a handy side table that slid over the bed.
The bed: These are a big selling point - designed especially for the hotel chain, the beds have luxurious duvets, big soft pillows, and comfy mattress toppers. The in-room guide encourages pillow fights and "bouncing around".
