The French capital is magical for kids, particularly if you’re staying at the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, as Siobhan Grogan recently discovered with her children.
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- Hotel George V Paris
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- Garden, Hotel George V Paris
Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris is almost as famous as the Eiffel Tower itself. Opened in 1928, it has hosted everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Madonna and is famous for its elaborate flower displays, Michelin-starred restaurants and wonderful staff. All this and the city’s biggest tourist attractions are within strolling distance.
Suite, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
Hotel George V Paris is very elegant but kids are welcome
Even my children were open-mouthed when we entered the hotel. Think giant chandeliers, priceless artwork and marble at every turn, plus a spectacular installation of deep purple flowers from celebrity florist Jeff Leatham. Yet even with kids in tow, we’re enthusiastically welcomed, with staff members going out of their way to chat to the children and ask them what they planned to see in Paris.
They were made to feel at home in the palatial bedrooms too. We had interconnecting rooms and both were suitably grand, with shelves stocked with art books, vases of fresh flowers and a wrought-iron balcony overlooking the courtyard below. While I marvelled over the Guerlain bath products and enormous marble bathroom, the children were more impressed by the TV built into the mirror above the deep soaking bathtub and the giant bowl of fresh popcorn that greeted them. Younger children also receive complimentary colouring books, mini bathrobes and children’s toiletries.
Paris from roof of Hotel George V
Stay right at the heart of Paris
It couldn’t be easier to get out and explore Paris. Turn left out of the hotel to head to the Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, turn right to reach the River Seine and the Eiffel Tower. As this was my children’s first time in Paris, I was keen to visit as many of the major sights as possible so we used a Go City: All-Inclusive Pass from Attraction Tickets.
This offers savings of up to 50% at 85 attractions in the city and even includes snacks and drinks around the city so proved excellent value for money. We started with a Big Bus Paris Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour, then called in at the Aquarium de Paris before a guided climb to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Over the next three days, we rode the Petit Train de Montmartre, sailed down the Seine on a river cruise, visited a chocolate museum and tried the virtual reality experience at Fly Over Paris. Along the way, we feasted on Croque Monsieur, colourful macarons, sweet crepes and croissants for a real French experience at no extra cost.
Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
Even kids can enjoy the hotel’s five Michelin Stars
The hotel’s three restaurants have an incredible five Michelin stars between them and children are welcome to dine with you if they’re willing to eat something other than fish fingers. Three Michelin-starred Le Cinq serves Modern French cuisine while one-starred Le George offers Mediterranean cuisine and L’Orangerie focuses on plant and fish-based dishes. Luckily, the hotel can also arrange babysitting if you’d rather eat alone.
We opted instead for the all-day dining lounge La Galerie where a dedicated children’s menu included roasted chicken breast with mash and ham and cheese pasta followed by cookies or homemade ice cream. It still felt suitably special though: the walls are adorned with 19th century art, food was served with a flourish from under a silver cloche and (surprisingly good) alcohol-free champagne was brought unbidden for my children when I ordered a glass of the real thing.
Elegant hotel pool, George V
Don’t forget to spend time in the pool
With all of Paris to see, it’s not easy to carve out time to explore the hotel itself… but you should. Ask nicely and staff will give kids an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour including a peek into the kitchens and a room dedicated entirely to chocolate. There are also dedicated children’s swimming hours at the opulent basement spa with its heated 17-metre pool, Jacuzzi and plush poolside loungers. A true Parisian paradise.
Book Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
Rooms at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris start from €2,850 including breakfast
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