Hotel Costes
Five-star hotel, star-studded bar and courtyard café — the Hotel Costes isn’t just a famous Parisian hotspot for the rich, fashionable and famous — it’s a bonafide institution, and a celebrity magnet smack bang in the city of chic.
Founded by Jean-Louis and Gilbert Costes in 1995 and decorated by iconic French architect, and interior designer Jacques Garcia, the hotel with 84 rooms and is an exercise in plush opulence. Here you’ll be greeted by a grandeur — a spacious atrium, brothel-like alcoves supported by columns, thrones dressed in Napoleon III purple velvet, antique bas-reliefs and neo-gothic light fixtures — and plenty of glitz.
Located at 239 rue Saint-Honoré, a stone’s throw away from the Place Vendome and the Tuileries Garden, this place is a ‘go to’ destination famous names and fashionistas from all over the city, and the world — so it certainly has a reputation — but also a beautiful tale of success.
The story goes something like this: The Costes family, notably Marie-Josèphe, owned a gourmet restaurant in the Aubrac region. The two sons of Marie-Josèphe Costes, Jean-Louis and Gilbert, born in the 1950s, arrived in Paris during their adolescence in the 1960s, where they began to work as waiters.
They opened Café Costes in the Les Halles district, decorated by Philippe Starck, in 1984 — breaking ground as “the first in Paris to put creativity and quality into the design of a café".
Their ingenuity was well rewarded, and the two brothers were able to successively open other establishments in Paris — each with particular attention for decoration — and in the 1990s, the Hotel France and Choiseul was bought to be transformed, which became the Hotel Costes.
After a great success of the hotel and restaurant, Costes started to extend its influence (and namesake brand) to the realm of product extensions such as chocolates, a perfume created by Olivia Giacobetti, Roses Costes Dani Roses by singer Dani, liqueur, scented candles, watches, luggage and especially — music discs.
Today, the hotel is not only well-known for its funky beats and famous DJs, but continues to grow as a luxury destination the world over — particularly beloved by the stars.
A case in point — former couple Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Depp met at the hotel, while Pierre Lescure and Madonna frequent the restaurant, and Monica Bellucci and Sharon Stone are regular patrons at the establishment’s pool and its Spa by Clarins in the basement.
Perfect for: Paris Fashion Week stay or a dinner with cocktails and amazing music.
Address: 239-241 Rue Saint-Honoré - 75001 Paris (Google Maps)
Trading hours: The Restaurant & The Terrace: DJ sets from 9 p.m. to midnight everyday and from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday to Saturday.
Website: https://hotelcostes.com/#/
Insta: @hotelcostes
