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FOUR SEASONS HOTEL - George V Paris
By Bonnie Carroll

George V ParisIt is not easy to be the brightest of hotel diamonds in a city that touts two thousand years of history, art and architecture, but the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris appears to have done this. The historic hotel is located in the famous Golden Louis VuittonTriangle of Paris, in the heart of the most upscale shopping district in the world. It is home to Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Glan Franco Ferre, Givenchy, and Kenbzo on Avenue George V; Rochas, Courreges, Balmain on Rue Francois, and Dior, Celine, Chanel, Donna Karran, Lowe and Mugler on Avenue Montaigne. Perusing these renowned designer centers is a thrill beyond description. I recently had the pleasure to see the film “Avenue Montaigne” at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in California, and I was enchanted by the journey the camera took through this George V Pariselegant part of Paris, and the tender story the director told of the French men and women who truly love this city.

The hotel is also centrally located to enjoy wonderful restaurants, cafes and the bevy of museums, monuments, palaces and art galleries that attract countless tourists to the city each year. Arriving at the George V is very special because the doormen greet you by name, and warmly welcome you as they escort you to the reception area where charming ladies assist you with check in. I had not been in this hotel since it was renovated by interior architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, and it was such a dramatic changGeorge V Parise that I was stunned. The entire hotel has a feeling of openness, and the décor is French elegant at its finest. Many of the suites have balconies with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower, and no detail in comfort or beauty was overlooked in the design and room décor. It was a Marie Antoinette experience to sleep in such a lovely bed.

George V Paris GardenThe hotel dining areas, including Le Bar, Le Galerie and Restaurant Le Cinq, are all matchless in elegant attention to detail, and surround the hotel courtyard and garden. These areas are filled with the outstanding flower displays that Four Season properties have become known for. The Le Cinq features table cloths, china and silver that were created expressly for the reopening of the hotel in 2002, and Executive Chef Phillippe Legendre offers a menu fit for a king that is overflowing with classical French favorites and also offers lighter faire if requested. Chef Legendre and Le Cinq have been honored three times with the “Macaron” from the Michelin Guide. Michelin awards stars for excellence in food quality, creativity, service and atmosphere. Daily breakfast at Le Cinq begins with a petit crème brulet, and is a delightful morning experience that no one should miss.

George V Paris SpaThe most exciting addition to the historic hotel is the delicious new spa, which has a formal check-in desk that adjoins a beautiful waiting area decorated in 18th-century prints, overlooking the elegant pool and Jacuzzi surrounded by trompe l’oeil gardens. The fabrics, furniture design, window dressings, and private treatment rooms are spectacular as well. Between treatments guests are welcome to enjoy teas, waters and neatly presented little sweet plates. The therapists seem to be amonGeorge V Parisg the best in Europe, and my massage was heavenly. The package I enjoyed was called “License to Shop” and included massage, vitamin A facial and a Spa Paradise cocktail. The entire experience was a total gift of the senses, from the visual beauty of the spa to the ultimate healing of the treatments.

It was so nice to return to Paris and a hotel property that I adore, but it was beyond amazing to see the extraordinary changes that had been implemented by Rochon and his staff to make the Four Seasons Hotel George V the brightest diamond in the City of Lights. For a virtual tour of the hotel visit: www.fourseason.com.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
George V Paris

31 Avenue George V
75008 Paris, France
33 (0) 1 49 52 70 00

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved

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