We tested Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île: our full review of the world’s first Sofitel and its terrace suites

In 1964, the very first Sofitel in the world opened here, on Place Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune. Sixty years later, Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île remains one of the city’s most central five-star addresses. Raphaël Simon put it to the test: here is our comprehensive review of its rooms, terrace suites, and brasserie.

The world’s first Sofitel

It was in Strasbourg that Accor, then in its infancy, laid the first stone of its high-end brand in 1964. The hotel, located on Place Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune, sits approximately 500 metres from the cathedral and a few minutes’ walk from Place Broglie and its Christmas market. It is one of the rare five-star hotels with a garden patio in the heart of the Grande Île, where the property even cultivates a small urban vineyard.

Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île

The rooms, between Doré and Bartholdi

The rooms

Studio Marc Hertrich & Nicolas Adnet drew inspiration from two local figures, Gustave Doré and Bartholdi, featuring calligraphed walls and the brand’s signature MyBed bedding. The 150 rooms range from the 18 m² Classic overlooking the courtyard to the 26 m² Luxury and 30 m² Luxury Premium rooms; families can make use of connecting 51 m² Le Petit Prince rooms. Our advice: aim for a Luxury room facing the square or the garden, as the Classics are compact and courtyard-facing.

The terrace suites

The suites

The 28 suites are the hotel’s major asset: the 32 m² Junior Suite, the 56 m² Prestige Suite with a separate lounge, and above all the Opera Suite (93 m²) and the Imperial Suite (135 m², two bedrooms), both boasting a terrace overlooking the square and the cathedral. For a Christmas market getaway, this offers one of the finest views in the city.

Breakfast, Brasserie and bar

Dining at Sofitel

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The buffet breakfast focuses on fresh, local produce, viennoiseries, eggs cooked to order, and a selection of Alsatian specialties; it is also open to non-residents. La Brasserie, headed by Alsatian chef Mathieu Klein, trained under Alain Ducasse, serves French and regional cuisine, grilled dishes, and 51 local grand crus, complete with a terrace overlooking the square. On Sundays, a light brunch served at the table costs €40. The retro fuchsia Brasserie Bar is open from 2 pm to 11 pm.

Services and wellness

There is neither a spa nor a swimming pool, simply a 24-hour fitness room overlooking Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune church. However, the hotel features an indoor 58-space parking garage with valet service, welcomes dogs and cats (€30 per night), and offers a family package with an adjacent room at half price.

Why 9.0 out of 10

Sofitel Grande Île stands out primarily for its location, terrace suites, and brasserie, one of the city’s finest hotel dining spots. It loses points for the lack of a spa, compact entry-level rooms, and a 1960s architectural style that lacks the charm of the centre’s historic townhouses. It features in our selection of hotels for the Strasbourg Christmas market, located just minutes from Place Broglie.