Four Seasons Hotel George V – Hotel Review

There’s more than an air of aristocracy at Four Seasons Hotel George V, a palatial property in Paris’ 8th arrondissement. It’s more of a heady perfume, wafting through the sumptuously decorated halls, lingering on glistening chandeliers, gold-edged mirrors or historic art pieces. This stunning stay, in the city’s “Golden Triangle” is much more than just its gilded glamour, however: it boasts exceptional service, world-renowned restaurants (three eateries have five Michelin stars between them) and a fabulous location within strolling distance of one the most glamorous boulevards in the world. Read on for the full review.

Where is Four Seasons Hotel George V?

The hotel operates from a stately spot in the 8th arrondissement, a hotbed of glamour in the city centre. It’s part of a cluster of high-end hotels in this part of town; Champs-Élysées - Clemenceau, an easy 15-minute stroll down the designer-lined boulevard of the same name. George V is about a 40-minute taxi ride from Charles de Gaulle airport.

What’s near Four Seasons Hotel George V?

Bucket-list tickers can rest easy, there are some big ones within easy walking distance.

The iconic Arc de Triomphe roundabout, focal point of the elegant Champs-Élysées, is less than a kilometre north-east, while the edge of the Seine is not 10 minutes walk in the opposite direction. And of course the Eiffel Tower – a further kilometre on – comes into striking view at the corner before Ponte St Alma leaps over the river.

Room types

As grand as the lobby is, the hotel’s rooms extoll a more restrained elegance, with a colour scheme of feather white and eggshell cream amid Louis XVI-style furniture. There are lashings of marble in the bathrooms (of course) – floor to ceiling, in fact – double vanities and Bulgari amenities.

In suites, the opulence is significantly upped, with the return of the gilding, as well as full-scale dining rooms accommodating six, art-adorned salons, and terraces or balconies. In the Eiffel Tower Suite, the luxury is the view – the Iron Lady standing sentinel in the distance, in clear view of the suite’s expansive terrace.

Restaurants and bars

There are several jewels in the hotel’s dining crown. The central gem is surely Le Cinq, a three Michelin-starred experience that pairs rare wines with the most delicate of dishes from executive chef Christian Le Squer’s careful hand. Froths, broths and foams carry rich flavours of truffle, caviar and venison, all expertly balanced by the selections of sommelier Eric Beaumard.

There’s a star each for both L’Orangerie, the slightly more relaxed French offering and Mediterranean-influenced Le George, but there’s also Le Galerie, a chandelier-adorned space circled in 19th-century art. At Le Bar, drinks have global influences pulled from far and wide (Trindad, Oaxaca, Bali).

Travel for work

Meeting and event spaces are exceptionally grand, with floral carpets, panelled walls and velvet Louis XVI-style chairs, and reception space for up to 450. The Salon Elysée can seat a comfortable 18 boardroom style, and is a little more sedate in its aspect.

Need a smaller set-up? All guest rooms have full-sized workspaces and free wi-fi.

Spa, gym and pool

Wellness plays a significant role in the guest experience at Four Seasons Hotel George V. There’s a resplendent lap pool under a windowed ceiling, a steam room, sauna and hammam, as well as a 90 square-metre fitness centre with high-tech equipment and serenely soft lighting. The five-star spa is the pièce de résistance, gathering treatments from the gentler body scrubs and massages to the more clinical glycolic peels, microdermabrasion and thorough skin analysis.

Sustainability

Several pillars constitute the Four Seasons well-rounded approach to sustainability. Key elements include the utilisation of a nearby 1800-square-metre kitchen garden for produce, water-efficient landscaping and composting that covers gardens near Versailles.

Accessibility

Four Seasons hotels employ a standard of accessible features for travellers with disabilities, inclusive of adjusted lighting controls, showerheads and thermostats, as well as roll-in, barrier-free showers with grab bars, plus visual and audio alarms.

What you need to know

The hotel is known for its extravagant floral displays, with a sizable team of florists who adorn the hotel’s vast rooms with some 15,000 blooms every month.