j123456

I will be traveling to Paris this fall and am having an tough time deciding between these two properties. Rates at FS at roughly 200E higher per night. Can anyone who has stayed at both provide some input?

Yahillwe

4S hands down.

j123456

anyone else have any input? would really appreciate the help

JOUY31

I will move this thread to the Luxury Hotels forum for additional input. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
France forum moderator

JohnRain

I'm a big fan of both hotel groups in general and in some cities (Singapore comes to mind) MO has an edge over FS in my opinion, but in Paris the FS is miles ahead of the MO. I'd even go as far as to say that both hotels aren't in the same category. The Paris FS is an iconic hotel, a flagship of the group so to speak. The MO on the other hand is pretty underwhelming. From the outside it looks like an office building and from the inside it is nice enough but nothing special. The 200 euro price difference between the two is more than justified. If you want to save a bit of money, choose the MO. If you want to splurge and have a unique hotel experience, go for the FS.

stimpy

Yes the FS certainly has the better reputation and this MO isn't quite the same as MO's in HKG or BKK. But it's still a fine hotel. You might want to look at both hotels on a map and decide based on location if you will be out and about in Paris rather than spending time in the room.

Also, at either hotel you should really book above entry level. I don't think you will get the full iconic FS experience in an entry level room.

pricesquire

I wouldn't touch the Mandarin Oriental right now. It's not a BAD hotel...and it IS luxury...but the Four Seasons is just so much better (as are a handful of other non-Mandarin Oriental hotels in the city).

I think the Mandarin Oriental CDG is having quite a bit of trouble right now....wouldn't be surprised if there are some 'major' developmental details coming forth in the next few months.

bearbrick

What troubles? Do share , please.
Was there a few years ago and had bad vibes , then .

op487062

I prefer MO location to FS in Paris

DavidO

The style of the two hotels could not be more different.

Mandarin Oriental Paris is a very contemporary hotel. Convenient location just off the Place Vendome, it's well located if you want to be in the center of the city with an easy walk to the Musee d'Orsay, Louvre, Notre Dame, etc.

The Four Seasons George V is a traditional hotel in the classic style thought by some to be the best hotel in the world. Located in the Golden Triangle area, an easy walk to the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees.

Depends on what you like ... and why you're in Paris!

j123456

Do you mind elaborating on this?

vuittonsofstyle

MO Paris started off quite well, but the decor by Sybille de Margerie started showing its age very, very quickly and even the suites are now looking scuffed and tired. Also, I felt that food had deteriorated and, generally, the hotel felt passed its sell-by date.

There is talk of them re-doing the Lobby, as its configuration does not work very well.

The only really good thing about MO Paris is the Bar, which is excellent, and the garden courtyard which is great in the summer. Otherwise, FS George V walks all over it, in every respect.

j123456

For my stay the total difference between the two comes out to 2.2k euros..pretty substantial so unless the FS is that spectacular. Although this is my first visit to Paris so the location is important as well

stimpy

If it is really important to you to have a spectacular hotel experience, then book a suite at the FS. Again, an entry level room won't be that great. However if you just want to visit Paris and have a decent luxury hotel experience then the MO is fine. That said, there are several other luxury hotels in Paris that would do as well or better. If high end shopping is your thing, then the MO has the best location. Otherwise any of the luxury hotels in Paris are fine for walking around and seeing the sights.

And if you can only afford an entry level room at these hotels I would suggest moving downmarket and booking a suite at a lesser hotel for the same money. I personally love the Intercontinental Le Grand for its Club and location (next to the Opera Garnier). It's not as great a hotel as the FS or MO, but it is still a really good hotel and the Club service is excellent.

j123456

What other equivalent hotels can you recommend? Meurice and Bristol don't really appeal to me they both seem a little too old fashioned