So what do you mean when you say is best explained by taking a trip to Paris to stay at a hotel considered to be'hip' to learn the meaning?

Many years ago I had to stay at the agrandized Algonquin Hotel in NYC due to shortage of rooms in NY, when it was thought of as hip or something like it and even had a drink in the Rose Room, that was even more sophisticated with some friends of a friend who are well known names in monied east coast families and friendly with big east coast political monied families.

Certainly thought of themselves as connected and special without saying so. Like having drinks in the right places with the right people to be seen and connected. It worked for my friend in a big way since then. You could say I was not impressed with the hotel or it's literary guests. To me it was a group of 'elites'

The hotel is still trying to live on that reputation with repeated renovations, remodeling or freshening up from my readings in Hotel Travel updates, etc.
Could you say it is not necessary to go to Paris, when you can expericence 'hip' or what is left of it in NYC?.
I believe that era is over, at least in the USA for the most part..