Kagehitokiri

finished editing last post. which actually acts as response to your 2nd to last post. (before i read it.)

should add many of the african luxury safari properties have high service standards.

Goodmorning2U - FS hualalai > FS sayan/jimbaran > amandari
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post12408995
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post12429222

bluebird09

May I say someting negative?

-> I can't stand it. And saying so, I'm half French.
Paris is great but in terms of tourism, Paris is not able to compete on an international level. I'm impressed to see this great reviews here. It does not fit to my experience.

IMHO, it's far from beeing the best in the world and it is not really as good as all the really great hotels in the world I've been lucky enough to see so far. Put differently, it still needs rennovation. Sooome walpaper here, some bath things there. Just minor things but I would not expect to see this. Maybe, it's about nationality. At least, when speaking in French, the Stuff would need to be more polite and more educated as well.
I'm looking forward to so much better hotels opening next year. I can't wait until MO and Shangri La opens!
These hotel openings will give some wings to Paris. And it will finally be able to compete with all other great cities in the world. I can't wait to see finally drop all these "Palaces".

Kagehitokiri

FS george v posts net loss of ~$28,000.00 in 2010

(,000) G&A / Depreciation / Net Interest / Tax
2010 -$751 / -$1,803 / -$6,006 / -$2,145
2009 -$176 / -$2,117 / -$2,915 / -$1,537

balance of kingdom hotels 25% investment
$118,233 Jan 1 2009
$90,048 Jan 1 2010
$86,551 Dec 31 2010

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13542264-post47.html

Shangri-La

Interesting.

Slightly off-topic, but do see any of the newer properties such as the Shangri-La or MO giving the FS a run for their money. Thought I guess the other non-FS properties already in Paris are all very good-to-excellent as it is. Just a matter of taste and location I guess.

BENLEE

Surprising they are still making losses at the kind of prices they are charging.

By the way, I have been reading complaints about noise problems in FSGV from recent reviews in TA. Anyone stay there recently? The last review was particularly scathing, which if true might mean a drop in standard?

jordyn

I was there a few weeks ago and didn't have any problem with noise. However, it seems like several of the complaints are about noise originating from outside and we faced over the inner courtyard, so maybe we were insulated from it.

(In general, the most recent TripAdvisor post doesn't have very much resemblance to my experience. I've always had reasonably sized and quite nice rooms in the Deluxe category. Room service (for breakfast) has always been fine. And good experiences at the spa. I do agree with a common complaint, though--rooms often aren't ready on time.)

Kagehitokiri

http://www.cpp-luxury.com/en/four-se...lans_1238.html
http://www.burtwolf.com/pdf/greathotels.pdf
http://www.cpp-luxury.com/en/christo...otel_1284.html

tcook052

One quick question for those that are familiar with the hotel: what's the surrounding neighborhood like? Is there a good selection of restaurants nearby? Lots of other shops, bakeries, pharmacies, etc. or do you have to walk a ways to find those in good supply? How would you describe security, would it be a safe area of the city.

Just curious.

stimpy

It is very safe and there is plenty to do, but to me that area is overly touristy and I never go there.

wripro

Agree. George V is a great hotel in a less great area, especially the street. The Avenue George V is not beautiful like the Avenue Montaigne (Plaza Athenee) and certainly nowhere near as imposing as the Place Vendome (Ritz) or the Place de la Concorde (Crillon.)

FlyerEC

Seemed safe the times we've been there , near enough for walking to your " where " list , in not so crowded area - liked the area.

Do watch for pick pockets though - especially subways & other crowded places. We scared off the pair of guys who had one pretending to brush off stuff from the pants ( calf area ) to distract. No one on the train helped & even feigned oblivion !
One ran out of the carriage immediately while the other we 'd somehow pushed & he fell on a seat as the doors were closing, he got off asap at the next stop.
That was the first & last time on the train - so much for exploring..

BENLEE

Yes, absolutely watch out for pick pockets while in Paris. Paris seems to be rifled with these crooks and they are everywhere. Worst in the underground subway. I've got mine stolen while entering a subway which caused a lot of inconvenience and trouble to me. I suggest you only carry a wallet with just enough cash for the day and perhaps one credit card and nothing else in it. And it should be put in an inner pocket.

As for the FSGV, I kind of regret not trying out the hotel, although I had a splendid meal at their signature restaurane LeCinq.

GetSetJetSet

Very safe but as mentioned very touristy area. Just eat across the street from the George V at my friend's restaurant and throw them some business!

Pierre&Cédric

I fully agree with you. I don't know how to say it as my english is not perfect but a big part of the staff is international and french language requires more formality than what they provide. It makes their welcoming sounding weird, way too familiar sometimes. At least it's not intimidating, byt not exactly appropriate.

Place Vendôme is dead at nights and on Sundays. Location is great but way too quiet. And I hate Place de la Concorde. Too much traffic, too many tourists going from Rue de Rivoli to Champs Elysées, too many policemen because American embassy is just at the corner. The best location to me is Avenue Montaigne (Plaza Athénée).

Which one is it?

damaxer91

Has anyone used the airport pickup service at the George V?

Basic Mercedes is EUR 295 but includes VIP service from the jetway so can save a long time on busy morning arrivals.

What would a normal taxi and VIP service cost?