16 Rue Frédéric Cailliaud , 44000 Nantes

SOZO Hotel

Name: SOZO Hotel
Address: 16 Rue Frédéric Cailliaud, Nantes, 44000, fr
Price range: 124 EUR - 318 EUR

Presentation

The Sōzō Hotel holds a unique place in the hotel landscape of Nantes. Its name, which means "creation, imagination" in Japanese, immediately sets the tone: nothing here resembles what you already know. The hotel is housed in a 19th-century chapel, completely renovated after two years of meticulous work, and the result is striking. As soon as you cross the threshold, you find yourself in the former choir of the chapel, under a vaulted ceiling of exposed stone rising to 17 meters high, filled with light filtered through period stained glass windows. The sense of calm is immediate, almost unexpected in the heart of such a lively city as Nantes.

The location of the Sōzō is both convenient and peaceful, which is rare enough to mention. Facing the Jardin des Plantes, the hotel enjoys a green setting just a few meters away, with century-old trees visible from several rooms. Nantes' TGV station is about 150 meters from the north entrance, making it a particularly convenient address for travelers arriving by train. The city center and its lively streets are within a ten-minute walk, allowing you to enjoy the city without being caught in its hustle when returning to the hotel.

The establishment belongs to the French group Beautiful Life and follows a responsible tourism approach, recognized by the Green Key label. This awareness is reflected in the culinary choices of the breakfast, but also in the overall spirit of a place that has preserved the architectural soul of a listed building rather than transforming it completely. The chapel, built in 1883 and still attached to a convent of the Daughters of Wisdom, retains the special tranquility of places of contemplation, which the Sōzō team has turned into a hotel asset.

The 24 rooms, spread over three floors, are divided into four categories: Experience, Temptation, Seduction, and the Sōzō Suite. No two are alike. Adapting to the architectural constraints of the chapel — mullions, massive columns, apses, stone walls — required inventive solutions that now make each space unique. Some rooms are bathed in light thanks to stained glass windows integrated into the decor, others place the bed in one of the apse corners, and still others offer a bird's-eye view of the nave from a glass and metal cube suspended between the chapel walls. It should be noted, however, that the openings of a 19th-century chapel were not designed to flood rooms with natural light: some rooms, especially those facing inward, benefit from more subdued lighting. This is precisely what contributes to the atmosphere of peace and reflection, but if brightness is essential to you, it's best to mention it when booking so the team can guide you to the most well-lit room.

The furniture is a delight in itself for design lovers. The hotel has chosen to assemble pieces signed by the greatest names in contemporary design: Philippe Starck, Verner Panton, Charles and Ray Eames, Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec, Ron Arad, Pierre Paulin, Ingo Maurer… So many pieces that converse with the blonde stones and gothic vaults without ever trying to erase them. Works by the artist Huang Yan adorn the walls of the nave and the suite, adding an artistic dimension to an already singular decor.

The suite deserves special mention. Spectacular in its proportions and decorative choices, it features a central bathtub placed in the middle of the room, large-format art photographs, a Pierre Paulin sofa, and a bed framed by columns. It is the most theatrical room in the establishment, the one that pushes the dialogue between historical setting and contemporary creation the furthest.

All rooms are equipped with individual air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom with shower, luxury toiletries, and hairdryer. The bedding, of superior quality, meets the standards of a four-star hotel. For guests who wish to extend their evening without leaving their room, room service is available 24 hours a day.

The lobby, set in the former choir of the chapel, also serves as a bar. Having a drink in this place, seated in a designer armchair under the 17-meter vault, is an experience in itself. The atmosphere is both intimate and impressive, with exposed stone, stained glass reflections, and carefully selected music. The lounge area also allows for snacking throughout the day, in a setting that few hotels can match. The Sōzō does not have a restaurant per se: for a full dinner, you will need to go out. But Nantes is a city renowned for the quality of its gastronomic scene, and the concierge team will be happy to recommend the best addresses according to your current cravings.

Breakfast is served as a buffet each morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays, and until 11 a.m. on weekends. It highlights local producers and organic products: artisanal granolas, cheeses and butter from the renowned Beillevaire creamery, smoked salmon, cold cuts, pastries, and premium fruit juices. Yogurts and plant-based milks are also available. It’s a breakfast that reflects the hotel's values: quality, local roots, and attention to detail.

For travelers wishing to start their stay on a festive note, it is possible to add a half-bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne to their booking — a gesture appreciated for romantic stays or special occasions. Check-out can be extended until 1 p.m. subject to availability, allowing a few more hours to enjoy the hotel's serenity before hitting the road.

The Sōzō's wellness area reflects the rest of the hotel: intimate, refined, and designer. Installed under the vaults, it offers a sauna for three people with tree-stump-shaped benches framed by glass walls, a hammam for four in a spotlessly white space, and a sensory shower — or ice room — that allows you to travel without moving: Breton mist, tropical rain, fragrance variations, music and color changes according to the chosen program. A relaxation lounge completes the experience, with comfortable armchairs where you can linger, herbal tea in hand, in the same designer ambiance that characterizes the whole establishment.

The Sōzō team is multilingual and trained in the specificities of Nantes tourism. They provide a 24-hour reception and concierge service for all requests: taxi bookings, restaurants, shows, spa treatments, flower deliveries… Traveler reviews unanimously praise the staff's attentiveness, discreet and efficient, who accompany each stay without ever becoming intrusive.

The hotel also has two seminar rooms that can accommodate about fifteen guests, as well as a conference area of approximately 25 square meters. A business corner and high-speed Wi-Fi complete the offer for business travelers. A bicycle storage room is available, and bikes can be rented on site. Paid parking is available within the hotel grounds for motorized guests, and an airport shuttle can be arranged on request for an additional fee.

The neighborhood in which the Sōzō is located is one of the most pleasant in Nantes for strolling. The Jardin des Plantes, reachable in under a minute on foot, is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in France, with its collections of camellias, tropical greenhouses, and shaded walking paths. The Miroir d'Eau, an artistic installation that has become a contemporary symbol of Nantes, is just a few hundred meters away.

The Château des Ducs de Bretagne, a must-see monument of the city, is a ten-minute walk from the hotel. This remarkably restored medieval castle now houses the Nantes History Museum, which traces several centuries of the city and region’s history, including the dark chapters related to the slave trade. The visit is well-structured and can easily occupy half a day.

The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is worth a visit for its impressive proportions and the tomb of Francis II, a masterpiece of late 15th-century sculpture. A few steps away, the Passage Pommeraye is one of the most beautiful covered shopping arcades in France, a maze of boutiques on three levels connected by ornamental staircases worthy of a storybook setting. These two sites, less than two kilometers from the hotel, can easily be combined during a walking tour of the historic center.

The Musée d'Arts de Nantes, reopened after a long renovation, is one of France's major fine arts museums outside Paris. Its collections span seven centuries of painting and sculpture, from the Renaissance to contemporary art, in a remarkable building enlarged by a very successful contemporary extension. A few hundred meters away, Le Lieu Unique — housed in the former LU biscuit factory, whose neo-Moorish tower still stands — offers an eclectic cultural program, including live performances, exhibitions, and festive events, in a decidedly alternative atmosphere.

For those who want to immerse themselves in contemporary artistic creation, Nantes also offers the Galerie Gaïa and other independent spaces that animate the city’s cultural scene throughout the year. Nantes' music and nightlife scene is particularly vibrant, and the Sōzō concierge team can guide you to current events depending on the time of your stay.

Staying at the Sōzō means choosing an address like no other. The combination of carefully preserved 19th-century architecture and bold contemporary design creates a rare atmosphere, both solemn and warm, inviting both rest and curiosity. The immediate proximity of the Jardin des Plantes and the TGV station, the quality of the team, the uniqueness of each room, and the serenity of the wellness area make for a cohesive stay, from first glance to last morning. Whether you're coming for a romantic weekend, a business trip, or a solo city escape, the hotel adapts to your desires without ever losing its character. Nantes, an inventive and lively city, deserves an address worthy of it: Sōzō is one.

Some activities and discoveries near this hotel

Start by crossing the Jardin des Plantes in the morning before the crowds: its 7 hectares of English-style gardens, tropical greenhouses, camellias, and magnolias offer a peaceful walk less than a minute from the hotel. Open from 8:30 a.m., it’s the perfect transition between breakfast and a day of sightseeing.
The Château des Ducs de Bretagne is a ten-minute walk away. The rampart walk is free and offers a beautiful view over the city center. The Nantes History Museum, located inside, deserves half a day: its 32 rooms and multimedia installations retrace centuries of local history. Opt for a nighttime visit if you're there in summer — the castle lighting is spectacular.
At a 20-minute walk, the Passage Pommeraye is worth the trip as much for its architecture as for its shops. This 19th-century covered gallery, built on a 9-meter slope, is one of the most beautiful in France, with wooden staircases, neo-Renaissance ornaments, and iron-and-glass roofs. Avoid Sundays if you want the shops to be open.
The Musée d'Arts de Nantes is a 6-minute walk from the hotel depending on the direction. Its collections cover seven centuries of creation, from old masters to contemporary art, in a building expanded by a remarkable extension. It's one of the major fine arts museums outside Paris, and its admission fee remains reasonable.
For a half-day of original escape, head to the Île de Nantes to discover the Machines de l'île: in the former shipyards, giant mechanical creatures — elephant, spider, birds — have been built in the spirit of Jules Verne. The experience appeals to both adults and children, and some machines can be boarded.
Follow the green line painted on the ground in the streets of Nantes: this marked trail of the Voyage à Nantes links contemporary artworks, heritage sites, and unusual installations scattered throughout the city. The route starts at the train station, passes in front of the Jardin des Plantes, and leads to the banks of the Loire. In summer, temporary — often free — installations are added.

Summary of some positive reviews read online

A stay in a third-floor room with an unobstructed view of the trees in the Jardin des Plantes: several guests mention this location as a real highlight, noting that walking through the garden to reach the city center in ten or fifteen minutes is a true travel pleasure.
The staff appears in almost every review, and always in the same terms: attentive, smiling, available, never intrusive. One traveler noted that every team member seemed to know their needs and respond naturally, without having to ask multiple times.
The chapel’s architecture leaves a lasting impression from the moment you enter. Guests reported being awestruck upon discovering the 17-meter-high vault in the lobby, with some adding that finding architectural elements in their room — an apse, a stained-glass headboard — made the stay truly unique, far from an ordinary design hotel.
The private spa area receives many positive comments. Couples highlight the comfort of knowing that the sauna, hammam, and sensory shower are reserved exclusively for them for 45 minutes, without sharing the space with other guests. The value for money of this service is considered fair given the experience offered.
Breakfast is regularly cited as a highlight of the stay. Guests appreciate the quality of local products, especially Beillevaire cheeses and artisanal granolas. One traveler noted that this buffet clearly reflected a carefully curated approach, different from the usual four-star standards.
Several business travelers note the rare combination of an unusual setting and an ultra-convenient location just steps from the TGV station. One of them mentioned returning on every trip to Nantes precisely because the hotel combines calm, comfort, and accessibility effortlessly.