If you happen to be staying at the Hotel Plaza Athenee for your birthday you may find a couple of extra touches such as champagne on ice in your room and a a Plaza Athenee box containing a chocolate tile with your star sign on it again very nice touch. A hotel actually using that passport information for good use!

Although there is serious competition for the best luxury hotel in Paris, the Plaza Athenee does have a very trendy place to drink thanks to its famous cocktail bar. Though be prepared to pay over Euro20 per a drink! The people watching is fantastic though. Also, Alain Ducasse, the one of the most awarded chefs in France – he has a total of 14 Michelin stars – is Head Chef, making a stay at this hotel a serious culinary delight.

Some guests seem to think the rooms aren’t quiet 5-star: a little on the small size. The location, the ice rink (seasonal!) and particularly the bar and restaraunts get rapturous reviews though

The Hotel George V is situated on an eponymously named avenue for goodness sake! If you get the right room the view is of the Eiffel Tower! Turn the other way and you are on the Champs-Elysees, near the huge Louis Vuitton store. Short walk to metro, Eiffel Tower, Arc D’ Triumph, shopping, Louvre

Its a medium sized hotel with over 200 rooms and boasts the famous Le Cinq restaurant: you might want to book that along with your accommodation, just turning up with the hope of getting a table is definitely NOT recommended.

What seems to stand out though is that people really,really like this hotel: although extremely expensive and good for celebrity spotting the service is not stuffy. The flowers in the lobby are justly famous. Though the Parisian women will probably out dress you the staff will still make you feel welcome here. Naturally the rooms are spacious – for Paris, not by Las Vegas standards, and come complete with Bulgari toiletries, LCD TV, and wireless Internet at extra charge. As is the mini-bar – you’ve been warned.

A downside is that the rooms are surprisingly poorly sound proofed. There is of course a full spa, swimming pool and gymnasium as well.

The style of course is traditional: think Louis 15^th full of beautiful antiques, heavy curtains and beautiful flower arrangements in the lobby. This is not the place to go if your style creed runs towards the minimalist. The better room are larger, with walk in wardrobes, full bath tubs and balconies and views of the Eiffel Tower.

Although beautifully renovated with excellent plumbing the George V still has the odd quirk: with a “romantic elevator for two” which has been know to stop between floors, unexpectedly.

There is something to be said for if you are going top notch: then really go 5 star all the way, I doubt that you are going to be disappointed if you choose the George V for your special luxury Paris hotel stay. Maybe not the choice for the ultra-modern fan or the family but this stately hotel and is been beautifully modernized and still does 5 star service with class and a smile .

Four Season Hotel George V

31 Av George V, Paris 75008, France