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Hôtel Mathis Elysées Matignon

COST: $$$$

<p>Renovated in 2007, this 23-room hotel takes its first name from Mathis, the adjacent bordello-chic lounge and restaurant, which is an institution among fashion and showbiz A-listers. Neo-Baroque and Art Deco rooms are appointed with brocaded walls, black leather headboards, red-shaded lamps, and leopard-spotted carpeting; it may not be wildly design-conscious, but staying here is more about proximity to the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the Champs-Élysées, the Grand and Petit Palais—and the scene downstairs. Nothing guarantees you a seat in the eternally sought-after lounge (famously, they once turned away Madonna due to her entourage), but getting there early could give you an edge. </p> <p><strong>Insider Tip:</strong> The Rue de Ponthieu, with several nightclubs lining the street, is busy at night, so stick with a standard double, which overlooks the courtyard instead of the noisy street. </p> <p><strong>Room to Book:</strong> Nos. 41 or 51, two of the quietest standard doubles available. </p>