The Four Seasons Hotel George V

I remember visiting the GeorgeV as a little girl, being overwhelmed with the impressive lobby and the formal Parisian atmosphere. Today what impresses me is the incredible service and attention to detail that has yet to be matched at any of the numerous five star hotels I've visited around the world.

  

While the lobby is as impressive as I remember, it's the dozens of innovative floral displays, precariously careening sideways from their glass vases that catch your attention today. And the formal Parisian atmosphere of before, is now warm and welcoming, not formal and stuffy. It's different, it's crack-sharp and it's, well….younger.

 

The staff is young and fresh and eager to please, not old and bored with "I've seen it all" attitudes. They're sharp and smart and happy and VERY well trained in the art of service.

 

In 1999 the hotel reopened as a Four Seasons after closing for almost 3 years. It was reinvented from the ground up, keeping the exterior shell, and re-doing everything from electricity to expanding the room sizes. 

 

Rooms are big, comfy and air conditioned well. If you're a return guest, they remember what you like. For example, I always order four extra pillows. The second time I arrived, four extra pillows were waiting on the foot of the bed.

       
 

FRANCE, PARIS
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL GEORGE V PARIS

31 Avenue George V
75008, Paris, France
Tel: 33 (0) 1 49 52 71 36
Fax: 33 (0) 1 49 52 70 31
Web: www.fourseasons.com/paris

  

They have what they call "smart rooms", which have electrical outlets everywhere you need them, even in the bathrooms! No bending over or stretching for a plug. I love that!

  

The services and amenities they offer is a laundry list of luxury: Duvets and down pillows, in-room safe, private stocked bar and refrigerator, twice-daily housekeeping, and all the techy toys: CD players, fax machines and computer hookups, plus satellite TV including kids channels and Nintendo believe it or not!

  

The Georges V prides itself in making their younger guests feel at home with special amenities just for kids, including a special check-in gift. My bathtub was lined with colored alphabet sponges that spelled out my daughter's name. Her named is "Elizabeth"…and that's a lot of sponges! The marble bathrooms are the ultimate in luxury, with power showers, tubs deep enough to soak in, hair dryers, thick terry bathrobes, fabulous toiletries and a makeup mirror that actually had decent light.

   

Room service by the way was incredibly fast and very good. The kids menu even got approval from my finicky one. Not easy.  The restaurant has three Michelin Stars, which they were able to receive in record time: three years after the opening of the hotel! It's lovely, classical French but much lighter and healthier than what you'd imagine, without the heavy French cream and butter.

A gorgeous spa is on the lower level with eleven treatment rooms, a hair stylist, and a beautiful pool that's actually quite large and allows supervised children. A VIP treatment room includes a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and all the amenities for a perfect single or couples getaway.

   

Combine the amazing address of the George V with renovated rooms, awesome amenities, fabulous food and the Four Seasons' signature service and you have a recipe for a luxurious vacation for the entire family.