Madame C

Madame C likes to play tricks. From the street, you might barely notice its discreet entrance marked by two red lanterns. Its lobby, drenched in crimson from carpet to walls, sets the tone. Further in, under dim lighting, leopard-print fabrics flirt with floral wallpapers that whisper the sighs of the past, those of the Belle Époque. Risqué photographs and erotic sketches enhance the style of a bygone “House of Pleasures.” Franck Meunier, a seasoned restaurateur, wanted a confidential address passed along by word of mouth. It works. His cocktail bar, opened in 2025, is paired with twelve entirely different rooms. No numbers on the doors, but names of famous or imagined courtesans, like Lady A, Mado, or Mlle L. Some face the street, with views of the cathedral’s bell tower, and glow at night in a red neon-like light—a nod to the windows that flicker on and off in Amsterdam’s red-light district. Others look onto a courtyard no bigger than a handkerchief, from which rises a surprising 10-meter-high palm tree. Franck Meunier installed it there, dreaming that one day it might rise above the rooftops. This is a very charming four-star hotel that offers a gentle journey back in time. The only regret: the lack of condoms provided in the rooms? If you’re going to play along with the idea of a faux brothel, you might as well follow the thread all the way. If needed, slip a few into your suitcase before leaving. Consider yourself advised.