“Unveiling the Ultimate Luxury Haven: Hotel SO/Paris Will Take Your Breath Away!”

This article is part of FT Globetrotter Paris guide

SO/Paris, a new luxury hotel on Rive Droite, brings an injection of glitz to a quiet stretch of the 4th arrondissement, formerly known for being a ghost town between the Bastille and the Marais. With arguably the best views in the entire city and rooms starting at €500, it’s positioned as a “five-star hotel, but not a Palace hotel,” an increasingly popular way to differentiate itself from more traditional luxury offerings. and it’s making waves among a well-heeled international fashion set, who booked him for the final two Paris fashion weeks. Fans of the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris they have flocked to book room 1201, which stars for a nanosecond in series three (filmed before the hotel even opened), an inspired piece of marketing.

But it hasn’t always been such a glamorous place. Along with neighboring Île de la Cité and Île St Louis, the area was once an island unto itself, known as Île Louviers, which was used in the 18th century as a kind of giant woodpile for Paris timber. In 1841 Louis Philippe ordered it to be attached to the Rive Droite and it has remained so ever since.

Set back from the Seine by a highway, SO/Paris occupies one side of a reimagined 1960s administrative office complex, which was given the green light in 2014 as part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s “Réinventer Paris” project to bring to life the inactive areas of the city. The complex is now known as The happinessa mini town that prides itself on its mixitewhich includes housing, both social and private, a nursery, a youth hostel, several office floors and a very good bakery.

SO/Paris itself has been designed by the architects at RDAI to be timeless yet on-trend, a tricky combination that they hit largely right. A high-ceilinged, retro-futuristic lobby sets the tone with orange mirrored walls and large terrazzo and concrete columns. The only jarring item was a seasonal capsule collection from Printemps department store on display in a corner. Staff Uniforms: Prefer the term “vestiaire” or wardrobe: These consist of short silk dresses for women and, for the check-in staff, colorful versions of the classic Breton Patou jumper.

Accommodations are located between floors 7 and 14, and room categories are based on view rather than room size (though there are a selection of suites as well). My room on the 14th floor was in the top category “Iconic – Paris Skyline” (next is “Rooftop” overlooking the Bastille, and the more vaguely named “Collection” rooms are cheapest). It was bigger and lighter than any other Parisian hotel room I’ve stayed in; I spent most of my time with my face glued to the window taking in the incredible views of the Seine as it forks around picturesque Île St Louis, and identifying Rive Gauche landmarks: the Panthéon dome, Montparnasse Tower and, further afield if I really craned my neck, the Eiffel Tower. Even when I sat up in bed, I could still look down at the constant stream of bateaux mouches and other ships purring by. My visit coincided with a national grève (national strike), and although from my 14th floor eyrie I felt completely removed from the action, I could still hear the police sirens through the double glass and make out the slow march of a manifestation about him quai opposite.

The room itself was cosily contemporary, with a beech slatted wardrobe and drinks cabinet, a Bluetooth speaker in the shape of a large bulldog, and Codage (non-removable) shower products in the bathroom. A bedside phone suggested a variety of services, from “City Guides” and “Tidy & Clean” to Bonnie’s Restaurant for room service; Soft drinks from the minibar were included, but nothing stronger.

Restaurant

bonnie, run by the Paris Society, a separate entity from the hotel, is a big-scene bar/club/restaurant on the top two floors, with 360-degree views and the most Instagrammable balcony in Paris. While an excellent breakfast is included (if you book at the time you reserve your room), there are no guarantees as a hotel guest that you’ll automatically be seated for lunch or dinner as word spreads about this spectacular new prospect. from the city, so it is necessary to book well in advance.

An upscale French restaurant with “a New York twist,” the menu includes Caesar salad, shareable lobster rolls, well-done classics like sole meunière, white asperges (when in season) and escargot in parsley butter, plus fun hybrid concoctions like “Paris New York,” a version of the Paris-Brest with a crunchy peanut topping. The wine list also reflects this cultural exchange, with a decent selection by the glass including Sancerre, Chablis and, from Francis Ford Coppola’s vineyard, also a creamy Californian Chardonnay.

Spa

Again, separate from the hotel, but with an entente cordiale, guests can book into a small but wonderful spa on the minus 1 floor. It’s run by Codage, a natural skincare brand started in the nearby Marais, and treatments are tailored to your needs with a wide selection of serums for each skin type. On my visit, the therapist turned on the hammam so I could sweat off the Chardonnay before my very good facial. The playlist was so great that I looked it up on Spotify to listen to it while I was walking around town later.

Gym

Adjacent to the spa is a fitness complex with a gym and an attractive pool that’s not owned by the hotel, but is open to guests. Call first before you head down there in your robe and slippers; on my visit there was a two-hour children’s swimming session. It may not have the same level of luxury as the hotel above, but you can’t smell a 20-meter pool in Paris.

• Good for: Extraordinary views of the city; spot supermodels

• Not so good for: Those on a budget, and the location is not super central, although nothing is far in Paris.

• For your information: Bathrooms only in suites. The restaurant and bar are separate, so book in advance; there is an unspoken dress code: no shorts!

• Bedrooms: 162 including 22 suites

• Double: From €500

• Website; Addresses

Rebecca Rose was a guest at the SO/Paris hotel.

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