Paris is all the time a good suggestion, the saying goes, which is why I all the time attempt to get there if I am anyplace close by. Plus, there all the time appears to be a buzzworthy lodge in Paris to take a look at whereas on the town.
In recent times, the fashionable SO/ Paris has been on my radar for this very cause. It has been the go-to lodge for the style crowd, and my Instagram feed has been filled with social media glitterati being fabulous on the property because it opened in the summertime of 2022.
When the chance introduced itself this winter to take a look at the lodge within the Bas Marais alongside the Seine, I jumped on the probability to see if this trendy spot lived as much as its cover-model repute.
This is what it is like to remain at SO/ Paris.
What’s SO/ Paris?
A part of Accor’s Ennismore way of life lodge arm, SO/ is a smaller model of luxurious motels “rooted on this planet of style.” These design-forward motels function colourful properties with vacation spot bars and eating places which might be simply as a lot of a draw because the luxe visitor rooms and suites.
Whereas it is perhaps in a quieter stretch of the Marais, SO/ Paris suits proper into its model’s trendy pattern. The lodge has 162 chicly appointed visitor rooms and suites, in addition to the rooftop Bonnie restaurant and nightclub. It’s the results of an intensive renovation of a 17-story workplace constructing from the Nineteen Fifties.
We all the time suppose changing submitting cupboards with fashionistas and turndown service is a great name.
How one can guide SO/ Paris
Whereas my three-night keep was complimentary, nightly charges at SO/ Paris usually begin at 500 euros ($515). Members of Accor’s Accor Stay Limitless loyalty program can redeem ALL factors at a hard and fast price of 1,000 factors for each 20 euros of a nightly price. Additional, members of the Ennismore Dis-loyalty program can take pleasure in room, meals and beverage reductions when reserving a keep at SO/ Paris.
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Ebook immediately with Accor to earn and redeem ALL factors throughout your keep and benefit from the perks related to elite membership tiers.
Alternatively, these with The Platinum Card® from American Categorical can guide by way of the American Categorical Advantageous Motels + Resorts platform; this offers visitors elitelike advantages akin to midday check-in, availability-based upgrades, each day breakfast, assured late checkout, and a $100 food-and-beverage credit score to make use of on-site.
The situation
SO/ Paris is a 30-minute drive from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), or you will get there in just below an hour through the use of the RER regional rail and connecting to the Paris Metro system.
SO/ Paris is in a quieter stretch of the Marais on the financial institution of the Seine within the 4th Arrondissement. I used to be at a luxurious lodge convention previous to my keep, and some of my lodge snob brethren jeered, “It isn’t in probably the most thrilling of areas.”
However after three nights at SO/ Paris, I think about the lodge would possibly quip again at these cynics, “I am the thrill.”
Loads of Parisians gave the impression to be flocking to SO/ Paris and its extremely common rooftop restaurant and nightclub, Bonnie (extra on this later), throughout my keep. Whereas the quick surrounding space is a little bit quiet, it does not take lengthy to get to all the key sights in Paris. We may simply stroll to Notre Dame Cathedral or hop on the Metro and be on the Louvre or — extra necessary for this weekend pal getaway — designer purchasing/gawking on Rue Saint-Honore in about 10 minutes.
This comfort interprets to visitors being handled to unbelievable views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and past from the lodge.
Checking in
Motels in Paris are available in all shapes, shapes and sizes, from inexpensive hostels and quaint bed-and-breakfasts all the best way as much as town’s famed “palace motels” which might be the top of ultraluxury. Regardless of its fashion-forward repute, SO/ Paris wasn’t a snooty place to stroll or strut into.
Vacation decor and pleasant workers members in colourful uniforms accented the hovering marble foyer. Regardless of the spacious entry, the welcome space was nonetheless intimate, with a smaller check-in space and loads of cloistered lounge areas to take a seat again with a espresso or cocktail and make plans for exploring.
I do not decide a guide by its cowl or foyer, however the quick first thought I had was the similarity to the now Hyatt-owned and equally fashion-associated Customary model. Granted, Paris is Accor territory, so it solely is smart that SO/ Paris is the style darling on this style capital of the world.
The rooms
Lodging at SO/ Paris are divided into “bedrooms” and suites. My 14th-floor Paris Skyline bed room lived as much as its title with a panoramic view of the Seine and main sights like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Notre Dame reopened to the general public the weekend of my keep, so it was significantly thrilling to step out onto the Juliet balcony of my room and soak within the pleasure of town welcoming the return of one in all its best-known icons.
The bed room was a classy retreat that had a colour palette I may by no means pull off if I used to be making an attempt an analogous design scheme again residence. A mixture of pink, orange, yellow and blue accents performed off wooden and ceramic accents to create an inviting, stylish and cozy house in one in all my favourite cities on this planet. The king-size mattress included grasp management switches for lights above each nightstands together with electrical retailers (make sure you convey your adapter) for charging gadgets.
A mixture of heat recessed lighting all through the room made the gossip swapped forwards and backwards over Barolo with my pal actually pop throughout our keep, however I can see the place this is able to even have been seen as romantic lighting had we been on our personal with our respective spouses.
Talking of, there was loads of house for the 2 of us (together with a not-exactly-light-packer, yours really) touring collectively to not really feel like we have been intruding on one another’s private house. A small seating space was excellent for the beforehand talked about gossip-and-wine session, and there was even a little bit bulldog sculpture close by that doubled as a speaker to offer a much-needed Taylor Swift- and Cheryl Cole-heavy playlist for storytelling hour.
A minibar featured drinks and snacks for buy, in addition to complimentary tea, Nespresso pods and nonalcoholic drinks. The canine, working double time as artwork and speaker, stored a watchful eye over the minibar cupboard holding wine, snacks and glassware, whereas the tea and Nespresso machine and kettle have been in a separate space with water bottles that have been replenished each day and a fridge beneath that housed all of the chilled drinks for buy.
Together with ample wood-slatted cupboard space for baggage and garments that wanted to be hung, the bed room featured extras like a garments steamer and a leather-based folio with a wide range of style magazines to peruse whereas the sounds of Paris exterior softly wafted in from the door we perpetually left ajar to the balcony.
The lavatory was spacious by Parisian requirements and included a walk-in rainfall bathe, well-lit self-importance and Codage Paris bathtub merchandise. Codage lived as much as the hype of a French pharmacy employee who had beneficial the model (after frivolously judging me — with love, in fact … or so I instructed myself) earlier in my journey after I went in search of merchandise by a less-expensive competitor. One factor to be conscious of is how heavy the lavatory door is (as if it is a safety door to a stairway), so make sure you shut it quietly so as to not spook your touring accomplice (or your self) with the noise.
Housekeeping, together with night turndown service, is twice each day.
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Eating at SO/ Paris
When you’re more likely to head out of the lodge to discover the Parisian eating scene, there are alternatives to tide you over with food and drinks simply an elevator trip away out of your visitor room or suite.
As talked about, Bonnie is the star of the present (and, apparently, of Parisian nightlife, primarily based on the prolonged line seen every evening of my keep at its designated elevator). Named for Bonnie and Clyde, this Fifteenth-floor restaurant might need the lengthiest shift of any SO/ Paris entity, as breakfast service begins not too lengthy after the late-night revelry winds down.
Bonnie’s breakfast choices embody a sturdy buffet of pastries (with some gluten-free choices), fruit, charcuterie, cheese, and teas and coffees. Company also can order a la carte menu gadgets like crepes, avocado toast and omelets. When not included in your nightly price, breakfast at Bonnie is 38 euros ($39) per individual.
Whereas expensive, the breakfast was a filling begin to the day and included picture-perfect views of the key sights of Paris. It was too chilly to dine alfresco on the balcony throughout our keep, nevertheless it’s simple to see the place Bonnie may very well be the place for an influence breakfast throughout Trend Week. Fendi and a frittata, anybody?
Bonnie can be open for dinner, and the nightclub portion stays open till 5 a.m. Alas, I used to be coming off a convention and determined to not revisit my membership child days; as a substitute, I opted to stay to Bonnie at dawn breakfast hours.
SO/ Paris additionally options Foyer Cafe, a small foyer bar with all-day bites and gasoline to recover from jet lag, like croissants (2.50 euros, or $2.56) and espresso (5 euros, or $5.12).
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Facilities and actions
Whereas I did not have time for a spa remedy throughout my keep, visitors at SO/ Paris can schedule a go to to the on-site Maison Codage Spa for pampering whereas in Paris. The power options a wide range of therapies, from personalised facials and massages to physique scrubs and exfoliations, in addition to a Turkish steam bathtub.
Moreover, visitors of SO/ Paris have entry to a health room with cardio and power coaching tools.
Causes SO/ Paris may not be for you
Whereas I completely loved my keep at SO/ Paris, not each lodge is ideal. Listed below are some components that may make you need to look elsewhere for a keep:
- Whereas the Metro makes nearly any main attraction within the metropolis simply accessible from the lodge, these trying to be inside strolling distance of sights just like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe could need to discover various motels.
- SO/ Paris is not essentially the perfect spot for households in search of methods to entertain the youngsters (although kids are definitely welcome … simply possibly not at Bonnie within the late hours of the evening).
Accessibility
SO/ Paris options accessible routes to all public areas, together with Bonnie and assembly areas, in addition to visitor rooms. Accessible visitor rooms function code-compliant doorways for wheelchair entry and maneuvering house on either side of the mattress.
Loos in accessible visitor rooms embody a roll-in bathe and seize bars for the bathroom and bathe. The bathroom in these rooms is at wheelchair top, and these visitor rooms additionally function lowered peepholes and closet rods.
Wheelchair bathtub and bathe seats, deaf or hard-of-hearing visitor kits, accessible TV distant controls and listening to loops can be found upon request.
Trying out
My lengthy weekend in Paris was particularly satisfying as a result of SO/ Paris is my sort of solution to journey: shut sufficient to the motion with out being too shut. Virtually each head of state was on the town for the close by reopening of Notre Dame, however the site visitors and roadblocks plaguing a lot of town did not disturb the movement of my deliberate exploring.
I used to be nonetheless capable of scoot over to my most popular spot for rooftop cocktails in a matter of minutes on the Metro and will stroll over to the Musee d’Orsay with ease after my pleasant breakfast with a view from Bonnie. The SO/ Paris workers was charming and hospitable whereas nonetheless displaying off in stylish, well-tailored outfits (it is a trendy model, in any case).
Nightly charges aren’t essentially the stuff of a cut price basement, nevertheless it’s nonetheless very a lot an inexpensive value level for a high-end lodge in my favourite metropolis. I am already planning my return (possibly after an improve to my wardrobe).
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