The Hôtel Costes’s reputation precedes it as one of Paris’s most exclusive and sought-after hospitality destinations. Ever since it first opened its doors in 1995 under the visionary guidance of Jean-Louis and Gilbert Costes—the legendary impresario brothers who famously kicked off their careers with a landmark bar designed by a then-unknown Philippe Starck—the property has stood as a beacon of high-end Parisian style. Located originally on the historic Rue Saint-Honoré, the hotel captivated travelers and locals alike with its deeply evocative, theatrical interior design conceived by Jacques Garcia. Over the years, the destination only grew in stature and physical footprint when the brothers acquired the nearby Hotel Lotti, adding a grand second wing with a distinguished entrance on the Rue de Castiglione.
For discerning international tourists and local tastemakers alike, this legendary five-star venue has long been considered well worth its famously luxurious room rates. Now, patrons have even more reason to visit the storied address. Liaigre, the renowned design firm responsible for shaping the aesthetic of the Castiglione wing, has returned to the property to design and execute a breathtaking new spa complex situated at the very base of that building. Continuing the sophisticated, contemporary design language that Christian Liaigre originally established throughout the hotel, the multidisciplinary studio has rendered the subterranean spa environment using an uncompromising palette of rich, solid materials. Travertine, smoked oak, rich lacquer, and liquid amber combine to shape the spa at Hôtel Costes, coalescing into an atmosphere that feels simultaneously moody, deeply intimate, and profoundly re-energizing.
The sensory journey into this subterranean sanctuary begins before guests even step foot into a treatment room. The arrival experience starts at the base of a majestic double staircase, from which visitors pass through striking molded metal gates that announce a transition away from the bustling streets of the French capital. Once inside, the reception area immediately sets an immersive, cinematic scene. A state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos sound system discreetly pipes out carefully curated audio, enveloping guests in a sophisticated sonic landscape. At the same time, the spa’s signature fragrance—a bespoke scent custom-created by the renowned perfumer Olivia Giacobetti—wafts gently through the air, creating an immediate olfactory signature that lingers in the memory.
Every element of the arrival is calculated to engage the human senses. The sophisticated architectural framework is further elevated by a masterclass in lighting design, crafted by lighting experts Arnold Chan and Isometrix, which casts soft, dramatic shadows and highlights the rich textures of the natural materials. The interplay of shadow and illumination heightens the overall atmosphere of quiet luxury, allowing visitors to instantly shed the stress of the outside world as they transition into a state of deep relaxation.
Yet, despite the meticulous attention paid to the reception and corridors, the most dramatic architectural moment within the complex is rightfully reserved for the spa’s central oasis. Situated directly beneath an intricate coffered ceiling, a magnificent 65-foot-long swimming pool serves as the literal and figurative heart of the wellness center. Lined entirely in a mesmerizing lagoon mosaic that shimmers under the subdued lighting, the pool is filled with exceptionally pure, oxygen-enriched water designed to revitalize the body. Surrounding the water feature, a series of private, curtained lounge nooks provides guests with the ultimate leisurely sanctuary, offering secluded spaces to rest, read, or simply drift away after a swim.
Beyond the aquatic center, the facility houses eight private treatment rooms dedicated to holistic restoration and advanced skincare. For these high-end treatments, the Hôtel Costes has partnered with the U.S.- and U.K.-based clinical skincare powerhouse Augustinus Bader, ensuring that every therapeutic session meets the highest possible standards of efficacy and luxury. From the foundational architectural choices to the carefully curated product partnerships, it is abundantly clear that there is virtually nothing the Hôtel Costes did not consider in crafting this ultimate addition to its internationally revered address.
