I spent 2 days at the end of a 2 week trip to Provence at the George V. I have, all my life, heard of the legendary hotel and my expectations were high. They were also completely met.

If you have the means, this hotel will be a memorable experience from the moment you arrive to the moment they drag you out, kicking and screaming.

The bar is expensive (expected), but the service is perfect. My only disappointment was with dinner at Le Cinq. My wife was not up for the tasting menu and I suspect that this was our error. The meal was good, but not memorable (unlike the bill). Ironically, we were to originally book dinners at Le Cinq and at Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athanee, however Alain Ducasse is closed Saturday and Sunday (curious that a 5 star hotel's only restaurant can be closed like that). The concierge at George V recommended an alternative, Laserre, nearby on Boul Franklin D Roosevelt. It was magnificent.... only 2 star I believe, but a marvelous experience; a ballet of waiters like I have never seen. The food was memorable. I was very pleased with all of the recommendations of the cocierge.

One other thing with the cocierge at George V. Ask if you can pick up the 3 or 5 day museum pass at his desk instead of waiting to get one at a participating museum. A 2 minute stop there can save you 2 hours in a line-up at the Musee D'Orsay or the Louvre.

C’est la vie!

We just returned from a week in Europe and spend the past four days at the George V in Paris. It was my first time at the hotel and I was apprehensive at first because I had the (wrong impression) that this large and old hotel was stuffy and stale.

Well! The youthful doormen could not have been more gracious or charming and the lobby was perfection. It was airy and light, accented by exquisite, modern floral arrangements created by floral designer Jeff Leatham. (Note: for flower fans, it’s worth just checking out the hotel to have a peek at his work. It’s minimalist in the sense that he limits the varieties of blossoms in his arrangements and lush at the same time.) During our stay, the theme was purple; clusters tall glass vases were filled with heavenly purple-blue Vanda orchids. We were escorted to our room by the friendly reception attendant that checked us in.

Our room, decorated in soothing mint green tones, was gorgeous and spacious though it was ‘just’ the standard-sized room with a king bed. The luxuriously comfortable mattresses, pillows, and bed linens will make you want to forsake the sights of Paris and stay in bed all day instead. I will note that the wake-up call, unlike at other hotels who have started to automate the task, are still done by a real, live person – a nice touch. The bathrooms, stocked with Bulgari Green Tea toiletries are spacious and have a generously sized glass shower stall. The bathtubs at this hotel are one of the few that I would actually use. Housekeeping was kind and efficient; I’ll remember their great attention to detail, including closing a book that I left laying open on the nightstand and putting a bookmark in it! We also used the services of the tailor during our stay; though she did not speak English (and we did not really speak French) it was another pleasant experience.

The outdoor patio (part of the La Galerie restaurant in the hotel) is a must for lunch or dinner during the warmer months. It’s set with chic, lavender striped cushioned chairs, lavender napkins, and of course the purple-blue Vanda orchids, hundreds of which were arranged to hang like a canopy at the center of the courtyard. Unlike some other Parisian eateries where sometimes ambiance (rather than the food) is the main attraction, we can safely report that the food at La Galerie was delicious and gorgeously presented. Case in point – gazpacho was served in a giant block of ice (6 x 6 inches) with a cylinder hollowed out in the middle. Prices are fairly high (upwards of 200 euros for dinner for two, including one glass of wine between the two of us), but it was worth it.

Despite the hotel’s ultra-luxe reputation, I have found it to be a welcoming place, lacking in pretention (a bit rare in Paris I am finding these days). I enjoyed every aspect of my stay, from the moment we checked in. Though the hotel is one of the most expensive in the city, I received a most memorable experience - it was well worth it! The location is excellent, near the Champs Elysees and the shopping on Avenue Montaigne, as well as a stone’s throw away from dazzling views of the Eiffel Tower on the banks of the Seine. Needless to say, I was sorry to leave but am already planning my next visit.

As a young entrepreneur that frequents some of the finest hotels in the world, and truly do judge as a critic, George V is a gem. The customer service is unrivalled to any of the other establishments I have stayed at, and the Champs-Élysées location speaks for itself. Sometime I do wonder how they manage to get all the details spot on, but with the Four Seasons price tag that should really be expected. Went here for a Mink Club private party, and the event rooms are also superb. Fully expect to pay top dollar though.

Ill spare everyone with all of the details, as theyve been discussed quite a bit in the other reviews. Let me just say that this is not only a fine hotel, it gives meaning to life. Im not usually one for corny sayings like that, but when you stay at this place youll know exactly what im talking about. Anyone can make a fine building, fill it with fine people and furnishing, and charge an armload to stay in it, but FS George V took it further. The attention to detail that they presented regularly, not just once or twice but every interaction, was superb. Little things like remembering my small daughter's name and addressing her as a small adult, knowing what kind of tea I prefered from their extensive menu after the first time we dined in the tea room, and recommending the perfect romantic restaurant in the city and securing impossible reservations last minute. All this, and the staff have ZERO pretentions about them (unlike the Ritz). The whole operation is so classy. I was very skeptical paying over a grand a night for a room, but I left feeling that the FS George V offered an incredibly good value for the money. I felt I recieved my money's worth and then some. Needless to say, this is my new address when I am visiting Paris for business or pleasure. Well done!