Ritz Paris vs the Four Seasons Hotel George V: Which Parisian Palace is right for you?

Choosing the right hotel can be hard work. Especially in Paris.   

After all, it’s the most popular destination in the world, and there’s more than enough hotels to house the millions of visitors who flock to it every year.

You can make it easier on yourself by narrowing your options, and only picking the cream of the crop, but even then, you’re left with a bevy of excellent properties to choose from. That’s where we come in.  

We’re pitting two of the most popular palace hotels in our collection, the Four Seasons George V and the Ritz Paris, in a one to one face off to help you decide which is best for you.

Similarly priced and located in two of the best spots in the city separating the two is no cakewalk. To help you choose, we’re comparing the general atmosphere of the hotels, their locations, and three popular room categories. Happy reading…

Atmosphere

Four Seasons Hotel George V

One of the most glamorous places to see and be seen in Paris since 1928, the Four Seasons Hotel George V’s location on the Golden Triangle, and its stellar reputation make it an unmissable stop for the luxury traveler.

If you like staying in hotels that are larger than life, and buzzing with people on your travels, it’s the place to be.

The lobby is a hive of activity where guests mingle with the passers-by who pop in to ogle at the hotel’s iconic floral displays. The restaurants are all Michelin starred and the city’s upper crust swear by the hotel’s bar for after work drinks.

But, once you go up to the rooms and guest only areas, it’s all peace and quiet and the Four Seasons makes it easy to forget that there’s a thriving city beyond its walls

Ritz Paris

A legend. No other hotel comes with a history as rich as the Ritz Paris, and following a four-year-long renovation; it’s never looked better.

Many of the period elements of the hotel were preserved, (including quirky touches like the gold swan taps) and its “soul” is intact. But, the two glass conservatories with retractable roofs, the elongated windows in the entrance gallery along with the addition of an amazing shopping gallery make it fresh for the 21st century traveler.

It’s easy to feel starstruck here. This is one of the most iconic hotels in the world, and it’s got the guest profile to match. But where it excels, is in making every guest feel comfortable within its walls.

You’ll hardly find a better level of service in the city. Fast, efficient and hitting the perfect balance between formality and friendliness, it’s close to perfect. It’s easy to find a pocket of privacy within the numerous alcoves and secret gardens dotting the hotel’s common area. There’s nothing else quite like it, and staying here is a world-class experience you should try at least once. 

Location

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Avenue George V

5 minutes from:

• Stores: BVLGARI, Louis Vuitton, Elie Saab
• Dining & Bars: le 39V, Flora Danica

More information available on our app’s city guide.

If Paris has a reputation for being a fashion capital, the city’s Golden Triangle has something to do with it. Should you plan on staying here, pack light.  The avenue’s high-end fashion stores make it an unmissable spot for credit card melting shopping sprees. Chanel, Bvlgari, Louis Vuitton, Cartier…  they’re all on the Golden Triangle, and the Four Seasons puts you right on their doorstep.

Ritz Paris Place Vendôme

5 minutes from:

• Stores: Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Boucheron, Bvlgari
• Dining & Bars: Kinugawa Vendôme, Loulou

More information available on our app’s city guide.

The Golden Triangle is a fashionista’s playground. But, if you’re lusting after something a little different – like a bespoke handcrafted piece from a French fine jewelry house – the best place to be, is the Place Vendôme.

The Place Vendôme is indissociable with fine jewelry ever since the French jewelers Boucheron moved there in 1899. Cartier soon followed, along with Van Cleef & Arpels, until eventually you weren’t a prestigious jeweler if you didn’t have a storefront on the Place. Most of these jewelers are within a 5 minute walk from the hotel, and though there aren’t as many fashion stores as in the Golden Triangle, there are still plenty around to keep you busy. This is Paris after all. 

Other than direct access to the jewelry stores, the hotel’s proximity to many of the city’s cultural centers makes it an ideal place to stay for art and history buffs with the Louvre, the Musée de L’Orangerie, Musée d’Orsay as well as the Opera Garnier and L’Olympia within minutes of the hotel.

Rooms

Four Seasons Hotel George V: Superior Room

Superior Room Stats:

• Occupancy: 2 adults
• Size: 398-430 sq.ft
• View over: Marble Courtyard, Avenue George V, Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie

With the largest coming in at 430 sq.ft, the Four Seasons George V standard rooms are incredibly well-sized for a room of this category, and they’ve even managed to make an armchair and work desk fit in without cramping the space.

Outside, Parisian life ambles on by on the Avenue George V or Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie as for those wishing for a more serene sight can choose views on the marble courtyard. Chandeliers, sleek contemporary designs and a marble bathroom with deep soaking bathtub round off this incredible entry level room.

Ritz Paris: Superior Room

Superior Room Stats:

• Occupancy: 2 adults
• Size: 475 sq.ft
• View over: Rue Cambon ou Terrasse Vendôme

This introduction to the world of the Ritz Paris is an homage to the past. 

Empire style amenities, patterned carpets, period oil paintings and marble fireplaces and bathrooms make the room a prime example of the art of French ” Savoir-Faire”.

The Ritz eschews the trends towards light and contemporary designs for a full-blown taste of the old world, and if you’re a fan, it’s hard to find better. 

Four Seasons Hotel George V: Duplex Suite

Duplex Suite Stats:

• Occupancy: 3 Adults (2 adults and 1 child) 
• Size: 950 – 1,186 sq.ft 
• View over: Panthéon, Opera House, Grand Palais

The Four Seasons Duplex Suite is ideal for longer stays or anyone after apartment style living in Paris.

Located on the hotel’s upper levels, the views over the Parisian skyline and monuments such as the Grand Palais and Eiffel Tower, give it a romantic cachet which make it perfect for weekend escapes. Side rooms either come with a kitchenette, or small office if you’re in town for work. 

Ritz Paris: Duplex Suite

Duplex Suite Stats:

• Occupancy: 3 Adults (2 adults and 1 child) 
• Size: 970 sq.ft  
• View over: Grand Jardin or Terrace Vendôme

The Ritz’s Deluxe suite’s design is based on that of a private Parisian apartment. Set on two levels and with separate entrances to the bedroom and salon, the Deluxe Suite does a great job of feeling like a home and with its 970 sq.ft of space is generously sized by Parisian standards.

Four Seasons Hotel George V: Royal Suite

Royal Suite Stats:

• Occupancy: 2/4 adults (or, 2 adults and 2 children) 
• Size: 2,630 sq.ft
• View over: The Three Graces art deco fountain. 

With its Baccarat crystals, furnishings by Midavaine, and gorgeous Pierre-Yves Rochon designs; the Four Seasons George V’s Royal suite is hands down one of the best places you’ll ever spend the night in.

The suite deserves its name. The massive living room – with a marble fireplace and Jeff Leatham Floral decorations –  is the perfect place to entertain guests and that grandiose marble bathroom, complete with a steam room and walk-in dressing room, is the very definition of luxury living.

Ritz Paris: Coco Chanel Suite

Coco Chanel Suite Stats:

• Occupancy: 2/4 adults (or, 2 adults and 2 children) 
• Size: 2024 sq.ft
• View over: Place Vendôme.

Having her ateliers on rue Cambon, Gabrielle Chanel made the decision to take a Suite at the Ritz Paris… Where she stayed for 34 years. An integral part of the Ritz’s history the Chanel suite embodies the elegance and refinement of the designer to perfections. Black on white tones, Asian lacquer, gilded mirrors, and a privileged position over the Place Vendôme make this one of the best suites to stay in the city. For a unique touch, some of Chanel’s sketches and photos – unknown to the general public – can be found in the suite.

Roundup

Separating the two hotels is hard work. Ultimately you can’t go wrong with either choice.

That being said, the Ritz’s proximity to many of the more popular cultural hot spots in the city might tip the scales in its favor for culture lovers. And, if you’re serious about buying the best handcrafted jewelry in the world and want the convenience of having the stores at your doorstep, there’s no better option. For fashionista’s however, the choice is obvious. Few hotels in the city offer a location quite as good as the Four Seasons George V.

For those who consider the Michelin guide gospel, deciding which hotels offer a superior dining experience, is a no-brainer. The Four Seasons George V’s five Michelin stars make it the cream of the crop. The stars may be shining brighter on the Four Seasons’ kitchens at the moment, Ritz’s L’Espadon and Jardin de L’Espadon (two stars and one star in less than a year) are nothing to be scoffed at.