Parisians have a term—les palais, or the palaces—for their city’s finest hotels. Bestowed upon a select few properties in the first and eighth arrondissements, the designation reflects the residents’ inimitable sense of history and pride and, in perfect French fashion, implies equal parts romance and arrogance. The George V distinguishes itself from its palais peers the moment you enter the hotel. Hapless tourists who cross the thresholds at the Ritz and Plaza Athénée, for example, are told, in typical French parlance, that it would be “impossible” to linger. But even nonguests receive the royal treatment in the George V’s capacious lobby, where original oil paintings and 17th-century tapestries decorate the walls. Service is equally friendly in the gray-and-gold, garden-view Dining room of Le Cinq, which has been crowned with two Michelin stars. Accommodations The 245-room hotel includes 61 suites that range from 861 square feet to 4,090 square feet; 42 of the units have terraces or balconies. Facilities Murals of Versailles’ trompe l’oeil gardens surround the fitness center’s 350-square-foot indoor pool, which is adjacent to an 11-room spa. The hotel’s ballroom is one of Paris’ most prestigious locations for receptions and social events. Dining For epicures, Le Cinq is a destination unto itself. The restaurant’s wine list consists of some 1,300 selections and 70,000 bottles, which are stored in a former stone quarry, located more than 45 feet below ground. Concierge Recommends Charter Sophia Loren’s former yacht and enjoy a private dinner while cruising down the Seine. Rates Rooms from about $1,000, presidential suites from $12,700, and the Royal Suite from $15,500.
