Decorator Jacques Garcia went out of his way to create an atmosphere of decadence for this 19th century French Empire style building with a blend of dark reds, burgundies, mahogany, candles and frangranced air. The Costes brothers - Jean-Louis and Gilbert - opened their hotel in 1996 on rue St-Honoré, a street famous for its luxury designer boutiques and chocolate shops. It has become a very fashionable Parisian spot, where actors, models and other celebrities flock. The staff is well known for the attitude and for looking fashion model-like. The hotel even has its own lounge music compilation CDs.

The small, intimate and dim-lit rooms follow the same design line as the lobby and the public areas with French Empire decorations, swagged curtains, large beds and deep red fabrics. The suites are designed around themes, like "Moroccan nights", and are more spacious than the rooms. Bathrooms are large and luxurious, decorated with marble and equiped with Costes brand toiletries. Rooms have all the modern amenities from CD players and fax machines to minibars and safes.

The hotel has a gourmet restaurant, a cafe in the courtyard and a trendy bar where celebrities can be spotted and the chic Parisian crowd comes to splurge on well-mixed cocktails.

239 rue St-Honoré, Paris 75001
Tel: 01-42-44-50-00
Fax: 01-42-44-50-01
http://www.hotelcostes.com