Four Seasons George V review: Michelin starred restaurants, Kardashian-beloved florals and more

Flowers, food and facials are what I’m told the Four Seasons George V is renowned for when I arrive at the Parisian institution, tucked away on the Rue de Avenue George V.

But in truth the entire hotel experience is opulence to a tee, with interiors by Pierre Yves-Rochon and penthouse views of the Eiffel Tower.

‘Grandiose decor’ doesn’t begin to cut it at the Four Seasons George V. Upon entering, floral installations by Kardashian-favourite Jeff Leatham dominate the reception while classical French furniture brings a regal air of sophistication.

Dedicated decadence is the name of the game here - during my stay our every need was anticipated long before we thought to ask.

Booked all year round (and especially during events like Paris Fashion Week), its rooms house discerning travellers as local Parisian connoisseurs regularly fight for a table at one of its three in-demand restaurants - which collectively boast five Michelin stars.

While stars including the Kardashian clan, Gwyneth Paltrow and The Beatles, have been known to make the hotel their Parisian home (and occasional pillow fight battleground), you might not even realise you’re in the same building as them. In the back, a vintage lift reserved specifically for VIPs ferries their most high profile guests up to suites that cost thousands of Euros per night, each with their own distinct personality.

The Lowdown

Housed in an historic building dating back to 1928, the Four Seasons group took over the establishment in 1999 and the George V has remained the pinnacle of luxury ever since.

With staff and returning guests calling it the George “Sanc” - rather than the George “V” or “five” as I overheard one guest horrify regulars by using - it’s an elite French experience from top to bottom.

High standards abound. All three of the hotel restaurants - Le Cinq, Le George and L’Orangerie - have earned Michelin stars while beauty expert Dr. Shogo Mochizuki, a specialist in the Kobido method previously reserved just for Japanese royalty, has personally trained the spa’s many facialists.

And of course, there’s not one corner of the hotel that goes unvarnished under Yves-Rochon’s watchful eye or Leatham’s green fingers.

Luxury like this doesn’t come without a hefty cost - rooms range from £1,600 on the lower end through to £20,500 per night for its extravagant suites.

And of course, it’s hard not to think of the environmental cost too: 9,000 flowers are flown over from the Netherlands each week for its jaw-dropping installations.

That said, there are promising signs the hotel is moving in a greener direction, as Le George's food waste is composted and used in the hotel's kitchen gardens in Versailles.

You’d be forgiven for wanting to spend all your time in the hotel (especially with its rooms’ staggering price tags), but it’s also in a prime location. Turn the corner and you’ll be surprised by the Arc de Triomphe, while a few steps in the opposite direction you’ll join a throng of stylish shoppers in the Champs-Elysees; part of Paris’ Golden Triangle designer shopping district. Those looking to go further out to areas like Montmartre and Le Marais won’t have to go far as the hotel is also just steps from not one, but two metro stations.

The rooms

With 244 grand rooms and suites for luxury travellers, I was told that the establishment is busy all year round. We stayed in a Superior Room, which boasted a king bed ideal for melting into at the end of the day and classical French Louis XVI decor - with lush golden curtains, sculpture lamps and vintage-inspired artwork lining the walls.

The marble bathroom was nearly the size of the entire sleeping area, with a gigantic bath and separate shower unit lined with Guerlain bath products. Part of the huge mirror could be transformed into a television, a delightful addition for those wanting to unwind in a bubble bath over some French cinema. Returning to the room after a day of sightseeing felt like another exciting step in our Parisian adventure, rather than just a place for us to rest.

We were also given a peek at one of the George V’s newest offerings: the Parisian Suite. With a distinctly different feel to the rest of the hotel, the spacious suite is designed to feel like a modern Parisian apartment - of course, with luxury Four Seasons touches like a bust of Empress Josephine Bonaparte and Empire-style furnishings. With a balcony that overlooks the hotel’s striking courtyard, one of the foremost terraces of a Royal Suite was pointed out to me - where The Beatles once staged a massive pillow fight in a series of iconic photographs that were developed in one of the hotel’s bathtubs.

And, of course, it’s impossible to talk about the establishment without mentioning its iconic Penthouse suite. With glass walls filled with towering white orchids, a one ton marble infinity bath as well as two sun-drenched terraces with views over Parisian landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, it’s the ultimate honeymoon suite. Priced at a staggering 24k Euros per night however, it’s a luxury reserved for a select few.

The food and drinks

Unfortunately, the hotel’s premiere restaurant Le Cinq was unavailable when we stayed with the Four Seasons. Boasting three Michelin stars, the Christian Le Squer-helmed restaurant is one that foodie travellers put on their bucket list and book for months in advance.

Luckily, the Four Seasons has several dining options. We had breakfast at La Galerie (described to me as the “red carpet of the hotel”), where a buffet of standout French pastries, acai bowls and fresh juices had us reluctant to leave the hotel at all. While service could occasionally be slow, the lounge’s surroundings quickly distracted from that with the Flemish tapestries and 19th century art draped over the walls.

For dinner on another night, we were able to get a table at Le George - another of the hotel’s Michelin starred restaurants. Popular predominantly with locals, we made the most of the modern Mediterannean establishment with the venue’s five course Flavours Menu set. Fresh yet filling, standouts included the sweet yet savoury Candied Tomatoes Tarte Tatin (served with savoury Cacio e Pepe ice cream) and signature Roasted Sole with Basil and Vinegar sauce.

Finally, their final restaurant L’Orangerie is well worth a visit if you want something truly different. Beyond catching the wave of interest in plant-based cuisine (though there are some fish dishes), L’Orangerie elevates the trend with its joyful experimental approach to its menu. As holder of yet another Michelin star, the dishes here stayed with me long after I had left the restaurant.

Their decadent Sea Urchin with Egg Yolk Sparkles stole the show with its mix of textures and rich buttery taste, while the Crispy Red Mullet Modern Stew was full of complex flavours with a satisfying crunch - a feat takes its chefs all morning individually tweezing scales off the fish to achieve a flaky crispy texture. If you’re looking to snap a food picture for Instagram, you’ll want to go here as the presentation is impeccable.

Things to do

If you’re looking to unwind, a day at the Four Seasons’ spa is a must. Beautifully designed with tiles and lashings of marble, its 17 metre swimming pool is easily one of the most beautiful in the world while its sparkling hammam is a dangerously easy place to spend too much time in. While they do offer massages and the standard fare, they’re particularly renowned for their facials - so much so that they actually have more expert facialists on staff than they do massage and beauty therapists.

Trained in the Kobido method (a type of massage technique believed to have been reserved exclusively for Japanese royalty), their signature facial isn’t one that you can doze off to - as it requires heavily stimulating the skin with rapid movements. The results speak for themselves though as afterwards, my skin was brighter and more bouncy than I had ever seen it.

Beyond the hotel, the Champs-Elysees is just down the road if you’re keen to do a bit of spotting with stores including Louis Vuitton, Laduree, ba&sh and more within walking distance. For those looking for a laidback French dining experience, Le Relais de l’Entrecote is just on the corner though you’ll want to get there early to queue - at peak times the line wound all the way down the street. Sights including the Arc de Triomphe and American Cathedral are also less than a ten minute walk from the front door.