SO/ PARIS — Hotel in Paris

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Perched confidently on the banks of the Seine in Paris’s 4th arrondissement, SO/ Paris is a bold reimagination of a 1960s administrative tower turned haute hospitality, where sweeping views meet striking interiors. As the 10th property in Accor’s SO/ collection, it opened its doors in summer 2022 with spaces crafted by RDAI and David Chipperfield Architects, merging retro-futuristic energy with polished Parisian chic. It’s an aesthetic triumph—daring without being brash, refined without losing edge. The 162 rooms and suites occupy floors 7 through 14, and I stayed in an Iconic – Paris Skyline Room on the 13th, a 28m² haven designed by Didier Gomez. Think soft neutral palettes, plush carpeting underfoot, and warm wood tones that whisper understated luxury. Two lounge chairs, a coffee table, king-size bed, and generous wardrobe round out the space, while thoughtful tech like a flat-screen TV, sound system, and Nespresso machine lend contemporary comfort. The open-plan bathroom boasts a large rain shower, heated towel rack, single sink, and CODAGE toiletries—a Parisian indulgence. The toilet sits separately, preserving privacy. Daily housekeeping—twice daily, in fact—includes turndown service with bottled water and charming extras. A sweet touch: two small cakes awaited me upon arrival. Where SO/ Paris truly excels is in its skyline seduction. Towering windows frame the Seine, Eiffel Tower, and rooftop tapestry of Paris like an ever-changing art piece. From rosy dawns to blue twilight, the view never disappoints. Breakfast is served at Bonnie Restaurant on the 15th floor—a stylish perch with potential. The modest buffet selection includes cold cuts, smoked salmon, pastries, fruit, yoghurt, and cheeses, with à la carte options like Eggs Benedict and Crêpes included. Sadly, the experience faltered: dishes arrived cold, staff engagement was lackluster, and guests were inexplicably barred from dining on the stunning terrace despite perfect weather, resulting in cramped indoor seating. Bonnie redeems itself slightly at lunch and dinner, serving elegant contemporary French fare with global accents: lobster linguine, black angus ribeye, and seasonal seafood grace a panoramic plate. Up one level, Bonnie Bar & Club kicks into high gear with signature cocktails and a retro-glam aesthetic that channels 60s and 70s Paris—complete with electro-disco nights and sweeping views. Disappointingly, the spa and pool facilities have vanished—outsourced without access for hotel guests, yet signage misleadingly suggests otherwise. A sleek fitness center has been set up on the 7th floor: high-tech, daylight-filled, and open 24/7, with cardio equipment, free weights, and Scandinavian-style machines. Final Verdict: SO/ Paris dazzles with bold design and epic views, but falters where it shouldn’t: inattentive service, missteps at breakfast, and absent amenities undermine its luxury aspirations. It's a magnetic property with untapped potential—one that invites you to look out at Paris, yet leaves you wishing it looked inward with the...

An email which I sent to hotel manager at the end of my stay :

Hi Tom,

It was good to meet you earlier to give you face to face personal comments of my excellent experience at the SO Hotel Paris. As you know I have stayed at many Accor hotels and some of the best hotels in the world on the Amex fine hotels list. I am happy to say you are amongst the best hotels around the world that I have stayed, if not the best in terms of excellent service that your hotel and staff have delivered in the few days that we are here.

It started with a warm and welcoming experience by your staff, including the delicious welcome drinks which was a very good idea and the colourful beautiful uniforms that created a casual welcoming experience for someone on holidays - great idea, that’s definitely the first for me!

Then the great amenity in the room to help me celebrate my retirement (yes this a special retirement trip and cruise for me, having flown all the way from Australia). Excellent idea with a champagne and the delicious pistachio cake - we ate it for a few days and was still nice and moist - great one by the chef, please let the chef know 👏.

It is good to see a nice fresh room with such good view of the Eiffel Tower and complimented with some great high tech equipments- I love the blue tooth dog speakers, and being playing some nice French tunes to create the atmosphere, just perfect.

My perfect score has to go to the breakfast service esp poached organic eggs, they are the best I ever had and my wife agreed to. So creamy and done to perfection, my compliments to the chef ❤️.

Another excellent compliment goes to your Room Service manager, she came to see us at breakfast to allow us to organise our ‘breakfast box’ for 6am as we have an early tour next day. It was just wonderful, it is not just a box but a whole trolley of breakfast and she even thought of a takeaway box for our tour 🥇 . Amazing service here, I have organised in other top hotels but not the way it’s handled so well.

On the morning, the delivery by your staff was perfect on time and when she rolled the trolley in, we pointed out that was not the food we ordered, and she realise her mistake immediately, as she had rolled our trolley to the wrong room. She jump straight into action and said wait for 5 minutes. She rushed off to the other room and came back in less than 5, luckily the other guest not started their breakfast so was able to save ours 😂. The point is everyone can make mistake but to jump into action to correct it is what is important. Please do congratulate your staff (sorry I didn’t get the name) on her quick thinking 🥇 🥇 🥇.

So tonight, our last night before we fly to Budapest to start our cruise, I thought we should celebrate our last night in Paris with some drinks at your top club and then dinner at Bonnie. I’m sure we will have similar great service and exceptional experience in both venues.

Thank you to you and SO for the best and wonderful stay. I will also put a review in Tripadvisor on my return home so everyone around the world knows...

Perched confidently on the banks of the Seine in Paris’s 4th arrondissement, SO/ Paris is a bold reimagination of a 1960s administrative tower turned haute hospitality, where sweeping views meet striking interiors. As the 10th property in Accor’s SO/ collection, it opened its doors in summer 2022 with spaces crafted by RDAI and David Chipperfield Architects, merging retro-futuristic energy with polished Parisian chic. It’s an aesthetic triumph—daring without being brash, refined without losing edge.|The 162 rooms and suites occupy floors 7 through 14, and I stayed in an Iconic – Paris Skyline Room on the 13th, a 28m² haven designed by Didier Gomez. Think soft neutral palettes, plush carpeting underfoot, and warm wood tones that whisper understated luxury. Two lounge chairs, a coffee table, king-size bed, and generous wardrobe round out the space, while thoughtful tech like a flat-screen TV, sound system, and Nespresso machine lend contemporary comfort. The open-plan bathroom boasts a large rain shower, heated towel rack, single sink, and CODAGE toiletries—a Parisian indulgence. The toilet sits separately, preserving privacy. Daily housekeeping—twice daily, in fact—includes turndown service with bottled water and charming extras. A sweet touch: two small cakes awaited me upon arrival.|Where SO/ Paris truly excels is in its skyline seduction. Towering windows frame the Seine, Eiffel Tower, and rooftop tapestry of Paris like an ever-changing art piece. From rosy dawns to blue twilight, the view never disappoints.|Breakfast is served at Bonnie Restaurant on the 15th floor—a stylish perch with potential. The modest buffet selection includes cold cuts, smoked salmon, pastries, fruit, yoghurt, and cheeses, with à la carte options like Eggs Benedict and Crêpes included. Sadly, the experience faltered: dishes arrived cold, staff engagement was lackluster, and guests were inexplicably barred from dining on the stunning terrace despite perfect weather, resulting in cramped indoor seating.|Bonnie redeems itself slightly at lunch and dinner, serving elegant contemporary French fare with global accents: lobster linguine, black angus ribeye, and seasonal seafood grace a panoramic plate. Up one level, Bonnie Bar & Club kicks into high gear with signature cocktails and a retro-glam aesthetic that channels 60s and 70s Paris—complete with electro-disco nights and sweeping views.|Disappointingly, the spa and pool facilities have vanished—outsourced without access for hotel guests, yet signage misleadingly suggests otherwise. A sleek fitness center has been set up on the 7th floor: high-tech, daylight-filled, and open 24/7, with cardio equipment, free weights, and Scandinavian-style machines.|Final Verdict: SO/ Paris dazzles with bold design and epic views, but falters where it shouldn’t: inattentive service, missteps at breakfast, and absent amenities undermine its luxury aspirations. It's a magnetic property with untapped potential—one that invites you to look out at Paris, yet leaves you wishing it looked inward with the...