Crossword Genius

Hotel in French city is just the place for me (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

niche

'just the place for me' is the definition.
(someone's niche is their specialised place)

'hotel in french city' is the wordplay.
'hotel' becomes 'h' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'french city' becomes 'nice' (Nice is a French city).
'h' put within 'nice' is 'NICHE'.

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for niche that I've seen before include "hole" , "Place that's cosy" , "good spot!" , "Select place in market" , "Particularly well suited position" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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