Hotel Review: SO/ Paris | International Traveller

SO/ Paris exudes chic modern vibes in one of the city’s best areas.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury stays in the City of Lights, but the chic SO/ Paris hotel captures the city’s youthful spirit in spades. Located by the Seine River, SO/ Paris combines unforgettable views, contemporary design and elevated dining for a memorable stay in one of the city’s coolest areas.

Here’s everything you need to know before booking a stay at the luxurious SO/ Paris.

Location

SO/ Paris by the Seine River — SO/ Paris sits by the Seine. (Image: Emerige Morland)

SO/ Paris is located in the coveted 4th Arrondissement, on the Right Bank of the Seine River. Its central location makes it ideal for first-timers to explore the city’s highlights and frequent visitors alike. It’s nestled between the charming Marais and Bastille, the former of which is one of my favourite areas in the city.

Once a medieval aristocratic quarter, the Marais became the heart of Paris’s Jewish community in the 1960s, before evolving into the trendy district it is today. Its narrow medieval streets are lined with boutique shops, quaint cafes, art galleries and a vibrant atmosphere. If you like thrifting and vintage shopping, this area is where to base yourself.

The Bastille metro stop is less than a 10-minute walk away and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 30-minute drive away.

Style and character

the lobby at SO/ Paris — The lobby is infused with classic Parisian architecture.

A reflection of Paris’ modern side, SO/Paris exudes an avant-garde aesthetic, where fashion and art collide. Interior architecture and design agency RDAI – who have worked on international projects with Hermès – was responsible for the look and feel of the accommodation. Led by Denis Montel, with contributions by other designers and artists, the agency took cues from the water ripples in the Seine and referenced traditional Haussmannian architecture.  Interiors are awash in deep cognac, amber and petrol blue tones and elevated with geometric mirrors, statement lighting and metal finishes. 122 contemporary artworks, including pieces commissioned by Neil Beloufa and Olafur Eliasson, while fashion pop-ups in the lobby feature a rotating collection of pieces from designers like Louis Gabriel Nouchi.

a huge artwork on display at the lobby of SO/ Paris — See inspiring contemporary works throughout the hotel.

Acclaimed designer Guillaume Henry, the Artistic Director of luxury fashion house Patou, created the SO/Paris team’s chic uniforms, which draw from the sea and the river Seine. The vibrant daytime attire comprises light knits, denim pants and jackets and French sneakers, while the night uniforms consist of epaulettes, satin and velvety materials, bow ties and heels for a more refined look.

Facilities

the terrasse of Bonnie restaurant, SO/ Paris — Indulge in French fine dining at Bonnie restaurant.

SO/ Paris has three dining venues (more on that later), a gym and a spa.

The 24/7 fitness centre is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, and guests also have access to the Ô Zenhit sports and fitness club, a gym, weight training room and swimming pool located within the nearby La Félicité complex.

a large hammam at Maison CODAGE Spa, SO/ Paris — Relax in a Turkish steam bath at Maison CODAGE Spa.

The onsite Maison CODAGE Spa is the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring the city. Treatments use the French cosmetics house’s luxurious products and include all manner of massages, facials and body scrubs (think 30-minute LED and gua-sha treatment and a 150-minute indulgence with personalised face and body treatments enhanced by a full-body scrub). There is also a large hammam to relax in afterwards.

Rooms

the Iconic - Paris Skyline room at SO/ Paris — The Iconic – Paris Skyline room boasts spectacular Paris vistas.

The 140 rooms and 22 suites are designed to maximise the views and natural light. Spacious by Paris standards, they range from serene courtyard-facing Collection rooms to expansive, view-drenched suites. If you want spectacular Paris vistas, opt for the Iconic – Paris Skyline room, which features panoramic views across the River Seine, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame or one of the suites.

an elegant suite at SO/ Paris — Each suite is designed with parquet flooring and thoughtful amenities.

All rooms feature CODAGE Paris bath products, kettles and Nespresso machines, plush robes and Aerobull speakers. From my Iconic – Paris Skyline room, I spent a relaxing couple of hours sitting at the expansive windows, sipping the Chablis from the minibar and watching the city come to life with open-air dance gatherings.

Food & Drink

the Bonnie restaurant at SO/ Paris — Feast on a French-style buffet at the Bonnie restaurant. (Image: Romain Ricard)

There are four hospitality venues at SO/Paris: Lobby Café and the Bonnie restaurant, bar and club. Open from morning to evening, Bonnie restaurant is a showstopper, exuding 1960s-70s charm. The Space Age-style French brasserie was conceived by design firm Notaire and features curved furniture, bold carpets, mirrored ceiling, metallic surfaces and plush banquettes. Food-wise, the menu is French with international influences, with dishes spanning tartare de langoustine, mac and cheese and Turbot fillet with green asparagus, morels and yellow wine sauce. I highly recommend ordering the linguine, which is generously dressed with truffle shavings – best enjoyed on the panoramic terrace.

For breakfast, a French-style buffet awaits, with delightful pastries alongside an la carte menu including omelettes, smoked salmon toast and crêpes.

the Bonnie bar, SO/ Paris — Settle in for drinks above the city skyline. (Image: Romain Ricard)

Bonnie bar is a chic spot for sophisticated tipples. Savour creative cocktails like the Major Tom – made with Gin Nouaison, prosecco, fraise and citron jaune – or Champagne in a retro space that’s enlivened with petrol blue, silver finishes and mirrors. For more lively evenings, head to Bonnie club to dance the night away until 5am.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Does SO/ Paris have access for guests with disabilities?

There are accessible public spaces throughout the hotel as well as accessible rooms.

Is SO/ Paris family-friendly?

SO/ Paris doesn’t market itself as a family-centric hotel, and its design-forward nature lends itself more to sophisticated solo or couple stays. However, it does have interconnected rooms.

Details

Best for: Modern travellers, fashionable travellers, couples

Address: 10 Rue Agrippa d’Aubigné, 75004 Paris

Rate: From  550€ per night

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

This fashion-forward hotel in Paris has Eiffel Tower, Seine River and Notre Dame views