Background
Dutch brand Zoku is a long-stay aparthotel concept designed for business travellers, with guests able to stay from one night to a year. The brand launched in 2016 and is named after the Japanese word for family, tribe or clan, hence its focus on fostering a sense of community for its guests.
Zoku has properties in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Vienna, with this Paris property joining the portfolio in April 2023. Zoku Paris houses 109 apartments (known as ‘lofts’), along with a rooftop terrace, bar and informal restaurant, co-working areas, events space and leisure facilities.
Where is it?
Just within the Boulevard Périphérique (the ring road that surrounds central Paris) on Avenue de la Porte de Clichy in the 17th arrondissement. It is well-connected, located just a five-minute walk from the Porte de Clichy metro. I took bus 26 from Gare du Nord, which was a 15 minute trip, and it’s also just under 15 minutes to central Paris (Châtelet) by metro line 14.
What's it like?
Zoku occupies the top three floors of the glass Stream Building, a mixed-use structure designed to respond to today’s hybrid work requirements. As such, the building also comprises offices, co-working spaces, retail and grocery shops on the ground floor.
There’s a discreet, narrow entrance for Zoku, with a set of two lifts that take you to the lobby on the eighth floor. The lobby is flooded with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and a lush rooftop terrace, ideal for a beautiful Zoom backdrop.
All the public facilities are spread across this expansive open-plan floor, with pot plants and blooming bouquets at every corner, low-hanging lampshades and hanging wicker seats. Guests can choose from long communal co-working tables, individual cubby holes for more private work sessions or armchairs and sofas for casual and comfy informal meetings. The rooftop, meanwhile, offers an oasis filled with hammocks, lounge chairs and tables, plus a wooden slatted canopy, strewn with fairy lights.
Opposite the lifts are check-in/check-out kiosks, but the 24/7 staff (known as Sidekicks) can also help. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out from 11am, but Zoku has an excellent locker room on the lower ground floor where you can securely store your luggage (free of charge) and freshen up – there’s a changing room with a shower, towels and toiletries. This is a great feature for those that are constantly ‘on the move’.
Zoku is also youthful in its design, with playful names for various zones – the ‘(Almost) Everything Station’ where you can buy basic items such as a toothbrush, hairbrush and floss; the ‘Kindred Spirits’ bar and the ‘Ooh La La Cheese and Charcuterie’ shop (open 24/7 for those that arrive late and need a bite).
Apartments
The 109 lofts come in three categories, ranging from 26 sqm to 46 sqm and include a separate living and sleeping space, a kitchenette, a table where you can work or dine, a bathroom, ample storage space and gym rings hanging from the ceiling should you be a fitness fanatic.
The lofts are very well-designed for business travellers, with sleek contemporary design and floor-to-ceiling windows – mine overlooked a neighbouring football pitch.
The living space takes priority over the sleeping area, with the king-size bed tucked away above (hence the ‘loft’ moniker) behind slatted wood screens. At first the elevated bed might seem inaccessible, but a sneaky “lift, pull and click” tag makes a retractable staircase appear. It’s a nifty feature which allows you to separate your work- and sleeping space, and doesn’t feel claustrophobic.
The bed was comfortable, and had a master light switch as well as charging ports above the bed with a pocket for your phone to charge while you sleep. The duvet cover of the bed was messily folded in the corner, but the flat was clean nonetheless.
My four-person table was well-designed for both individual work and collaboration, featuring a roll of paper affixed to the wall (for presentations), as well as two EU sockets, a UK socket and two USB sockets.
There’s also high-speed wifi and office supplies such as a stapler, pencil, scissors and tape dispenser. Further amenities include a 32-inch Smart LED TV, dimmable lighting, a hairdryer, safe (though mine didn’t work), and blackout curtains.
The kitchenette is also fully equipped and has a kettle and Nespresso coffee machine as well as olive oil, salt and pepper, a dishwasher, induction hob, Siemens grill/microwave, and cleaning supplies. Guests can use a laundrette on the lower ground floor and pay at the machine or via an app.
Lofts get cleaned every third day, but there’s a pantry on each floor which includes extras such as towels, plates, glasses and blankets.
Food and drink
The eighth-floor lobby has both the Kindred Spirits bar and Living Kitchen, both of which feature bold red-tiled bars. The bar serves small plates, tea and coffee, beer on tap (including Streambeer which is brewed on-site), and a range of cocktails and mocktails.
The ‘Living Kitchen’ restaurant has a communal spirit thanks to its long tables and open kitchen, where chefs whizz up dishes using herbs grown on the rooftop. The focus is clearly on promoting interactions.
The Living Kitchen is open for breakfast and lunch buffet every day, with a daily changing menu, as well as brunch on Sunday. The à la carte dinner is offered Monday-Saturday (with a shortened version on Sundays).
Breakfast includes a small buffet with pastries, yoghurts, cereals and freshly squeezed juices (plus you can order eggs of your choice) and once you’re done with your plates, it’s up to you to return them to a station.
Meetings
Guests can use the co-working spaces free of charge. The day rate for the co-working spaces is €39 (€239 per month) but includes lunch.
There are also three meeting rooms (16 sqm to 21 sqm) which cater up to eight people and companies can also hire the lofts for meetings.
The event space is 105 sqm and can house up to 75 people, with seven different seating layouts, a kitchenette and a screen with a projector.
Leisure
There’s a gym on the eighth floor and you can rent bikes to explore the city from €25 per day.
Verdict
Zoku Paris has been expertly designed with business travellers in mind, featuring all the amenities needed for an stress-free, social and productive stay.
FACT BOX
Best for Co-working on the rooftop in the summer sunshine
Don’t miss Getting to know your fellow guests over a communal bite
Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in September start from €259 for a Loft apartment
Contact 48 Avenue de la Porte de Clichy, 75017 Paris ; +33 1 86 261 067; livezoku.com
