PHOTO: Four Seasons Hôtel George V Paris

Fodor's Expert Review Four Seasons Hôtel George V Paris

Name: Four Seasons Hôtel George V Paris
Address: 31 av. George V, 8e, Paris, 75008, France, Paris, France
Telephone: -01–49–52–70–00
Price range: $$$$

31 av. George V, 8e, Paris, 75008, France, Paris, France See on Map Fodor's Choice

Jennifer Ladonne

As poised and polished as the day it opened in 1928, this superb hotel's original plaster detailing and 17th-century tapestries have been restored, the bas-reliefs regilded, and the marble-floor mosaics rebuilt tile by tile, adding up to an opulence rarely equalled in the city. Add to that stupendous flower arrangements and more Michelin stars than any other hotel in Paris, and you'll see why this is the choice of the world's elite.

room

Most of the rooms, from the standard Superier and Deluxe rooms to the opulent suites, are decked out in sumptuous fabrics and Louis XVI and other period furnishings, consistent with the franchise's ultraluxe standards. Many suites come with a terrace or balcony with views of Paris and/or the Eiffel Tower, and the Penthouse and Presidential suites are equipped with everything you'd expect in a luxury Paris apartment: kitchens, huge dressing rooms, hand-hewn marble tubs, and spacious terraces with tremendous views.

bathroom

Stocked with Bulgari toiletries, the majestic marble bathrooms offer separate tubs and showers and TVs hidden behind the mirrors, along with fluffy luxury towels and robes.

Photo: Four Seasons Hôtel George V Paris

lobby

The lobby reception area's glorious flower arrangements stop even the passers-by in their tracks. Beyond the concierge, a large flower-strewn terrace, stately bar, and the supremely elegant La Galerie, decked out in Chinoiserie furniture and antique Flemish tapestries, offer plenty of rich spaces to relax with a beverage or a bite throughout the day.

Photo: Four Seasons Hôtel George V Paris

pool

The pool is closed for a total renovation slated to finish by the end of 2018.

Once the renovation is finished, this should be one of the more beautiful spa pools in Paris.

spa

The hotel's usual spa, a magnet for show-biz elite and nobles, is closed for a total renovation, but the pop-up spa, on the hotel's fourth floor, is still a sumptuous affair, with most of the usual services offered, including a hair and nail salon.

Be sure to book a treatment early, as the number of rooms has been reduced from 11 to only four.

gym

A chic gym is smaller than the hotel's usual fitness center, but still has all the cutting-edge fitness machines and weights, and the possibility of booking a personal trainer or private yoga classes.

dining

A trilogy of extraordinary restaurants, sharing five Michelin stars, is a big draw for the hotel. Under chef Christian Le Squer, three-star Le Cinq puts forth some of the most creative, beautiful, and delectable dishes (particularly his fish and seafood creations) in the city, not to mention elegance of presentation and the quality of the wine pairings. Le George offers scintillating Mediterranean fare, and we love L'Orangerie, which, tucked away in an atrium off La Galerie, seems to deserve higher billing, as chef David Bizet is clearly brilliant. All three restaurants offer terrace seating in warm weather and, as you would expect, service is world-class.

A fine à la carte or buffet breakfast is served in La Galerie or in your room.

Photo: Four Seasons Hôtel George V Paris

drinking

Elegant, wood-panelled and gilded Le Bar draws a chic crowd of local fashion types as well as international guests of the hotel.

LOCATION

Getting Around

A five-minute walk to the George V metro station serving line no. 1, Paris's fast central line, and RER A.

This is an ideal area if you want to in the thick of the action on the Champs-Élysées, close to transport and elegant shopping and dining. You're in the heart of the Golden Triangle, with some of the city's most glamorous boutiques—Louis Vuitton is a the top of the street—and within easy walking distance of the rue Saint-Honoré, another shopping hotspot. You're also an easy walk to the Tuileries gardens and some of Paris's great museums, including the wonderful Grand Palais and Petit Palais, L'Orangerie (home of Monet's most famous Waterlilies), the Jeu de Paume photography museum, the Louvre, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Restaurants

Some of Paris's greatest gastronomic restaurants—mostly in other hotels—are close by, including La Scène, next door at Prince des Galles, Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée, and their wonderful Art Deco bistro Le Relais Plaza with its popular Wednesday jazz nights, Epicure at Le Bristol, and Ledoyen, Paris's oldest and arguably most romantic restaurant (Napoléon met Josephine there), to name a few (all within a 5-15-minute walk).

Bars

Marta, at the newly refurbished Hotel Barrière Le Fouquet on the Champs-Élysées, is a luxe, tranquil spot to settle in for a few drinks or for the evening, or if you prefer a more hip, energetic bar Le Drugstore, at Drugstore Publicis, is a top-notch spot for people watching on the avenue or settling in at the marble bar. Les Ambassadeurs at the newly restored Hotel le Crillon gets our vote for Paris's most beautiful bars (all within a 5-10-minute walk).

WHY WE LIKE IT

Truly one of Paris's great luxury hotels, you can expect to be pampered at the George V Four Seasons. But this is not a hotel for those who shun overt grandeur or feel uncomfortable among the privileged—both are a given here.