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Small Barrels Magazine

Reviews of Fine Wines, Luxury Hotels and the Best Restaurants on Earth

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George V (Paris, France)

September 2, 2004 By karin Leave a Comment

Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris FranceThe Four Seasons George V, lauded in books and films for decades, meets and surpasses the imagination. From its stunning lobby, richly and elegantly appointed rooms, and unparalled service, George V ensures that the romance of Paris is rendered indelible. Located in Paris’ prestigious 8th arrondissement amid some of the world’s finest shops and restaurants, George V lives up to its reputation of luxury and elegance from the moment you step through the revolving doors.

The lobby is immaculate, with floors of highly polished marble decorated gorgeously with huge arrangements of exotic flowers. Magnificent stone sculptures here and there add to the sense of history permeating the hotel. The reception desk and concierge desk face each other on either side of the room so that your first view is of flowers and the lushly-landscaped courtyard restaurant just beyond the lobby. You are immediately transported from the busy Paris streets just beyond into a world of high-class serenity.

A Suite at the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris France
A Suite at the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris France

Though many guests stay at George V, there is a sense of openness and spaciousness about the hotel. High ceilings and elegant yet never fussy decorative details add to this feeling. Our particular room had a large balcony overlooking the verdant courtyard. Though you never feel away from city life, the hotel spares no effort to make the city a luxurious experience for their guests.



Just outside the hotel doors are some of the world’s most luxurious shops. Designer names that almost anyone would recognize – Hermès, Versace, Armani, Louis Vuitton – are mere footsteps away. And at George V, you are in the very heart of the Paris the whole world imagines. The Champs Elysées is mere moments away, and you can easily walk to many of Paris’ most renowned attractions including the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre.  As for navigating Paris from George V by foot, metro and train, we had very few problems if any, thanks in great part to the superb map supplied by the concierge.

As for our particular accomodations at the hotel, there is no doubt in my mind that Louis XIV never had it so good. In fact, all I wanted to do while day-tripping at hot, sticky, overly ornate, stuffy Versailles was get back to our soothingly coloured, perfectly acclimatized, tastefully decorated room with its massive bathroom, and pillow-soft bed with gazillion-thread- count sheets. Our room was absolutely gorgeous with the best of everything, including a huge bathroom outfitted mostly in marble and providing deliciously scented designer bath products from Italy.

Perhaps Gene Kelly Stayed in this Room?
Perhaps Gene Kelly Stayed in this Room?

Comfortable furniture welcomed us for an afternoon of reading and relaxing. An elegant writing table served as an inspiration for scrawling memoirs and “wish you could see this” postcards. There was even a miniature library of books either about or written at George V – a fine touch for the literary connoisseur.  And that portrait of Gene Kelly beside our bed? Could it mean that the most famous “American in Paris” stayed here? Perhaps or perhaps not… imagination is enouraged by the romance of the room’s surroundings.

Service is, not surprisingly, second to none at this world-class five star hotel. It is said that almost no wish is impossible to fulfill at George V, and you can believe it from the thoughtful, first-class treatment you receive. Your needs are all anticipated, even the ones you didn’t know you had. Service is prompt and expertly executed, whether you need one-hour laundry service, an elaborate in-room meal, tickets to any of Paris’ many attractions, even (so we’ve heard and can readily believe) a pet puppy to commemorate your stay! Housekeeping visits your room twice a day with turn down service, refreshing and replenishing your linens and designer amenities daily.

Beautiful Marble Bathrooms at George V
Beautiful Marble Bathrooms at George V

During our stay, I enjoyed a wonderful manicure at George V’s beautiful spa. The main reception area overlooks the hotel’s indoor pool which is flanked by cozy, comfy lounge chairs and walled by a “trompe d’oeil” garden scene. My aesthetician was friendly and very professional; alternately talkative and silent when I wanted to be. All treatments are performed in private rooms, which I very much appreciated. Soft, glowing lighting and soothing music created a relaxing atmosphere.

Treatments are, not surprisingly, quite expensive here. The emphasis on privacy, relaxation and the use of very high end products does go a long way, however, in justifying the price.English was spoken by all of the friendly staff that I encountered. My only negative comment is that while the spa staff will attempt to accommodate any request, I did find it difficult to secure an appointment at the time of my choice. If you know that you will want to visit the spa during your stay, I would recommend booking any treatments as far ahead as possible to avoid disappointment.

Spacious Marble Shower
Spacious Marble Shower

And now, to business. If Paris is the epicenter of food and wine, then George V and its neighborhood is the epicenter of the epicenter. Le Cinq is the shining culinary light of the hotel, having earned three prestigious Michelin stars. The menu, which combines traditional French cuisine with contemporary dishes and influences, is exquisite and accompanied by an encyclopedic wine list. Renowned establishments like Taillevent, a restaurant that has inspired novels as well as palettes,  are also close by. Excellent, if more casual, dining can be had on the Champs Elysees as well.  What could be more delightfully Parisian than an al fresco dinner and bottle of wine in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe? Be aware that many restaurants and shops do close for several weeks in the summer (particularly August). Tourists may converge on Paris in summertime, but Parisians need their holidays,too!

Our hotel package included the option of having breakfast in our room or in the restaurant. Our first morning, we chose the restaurant. If truth be told, this was our only disappointment with the hotel – our orders were incorrect, and service was slow and surprisingly inattentive. We chose to dine in our room for the other mornings of our stay, and enjoyed this immensely. The beautiful spread is brought to you and laid out by a thoughtful attendant, who is in and out as quickly as possible. Breakfast is anything but just functional when served with crisp white table linens, plates covered with gleaming silver domes, and your own personal attendant to prepare a comfortable eating space and then whisk it all away.

Al Fresco Room Service Anyone?
Al Fresco Room Service Anyone?

We took advantage of the In-Room dining menu one evening for a fine dinner of French onion soup and lamb with vegetables Provencale style, and sipped wine on our outdoor terrace. The meal was wonderful, although we were rather surprised at the somewhat limited menu offerings. Likely, you can get whatever you request, but we were surprised at the apparent dearth of choice on the menu.

Overall, our experience at George V more than exceeded our highest expectations. The service and luxury were so tremendous, our time in Paris seems almost to be a dream. One that we would not mind having again and again…

Overall Experience
We give George V 5 Stars- Outstanding!

Four Seasons George V is located at 31 avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France. For hotel reservations, call 33 (1) 49 52 70 00. For more information, call 33 (1) 49 52 70 00 , fax 33 (0) 1 49 52 70 10 or visit www.fourseasons.com

Filed Under: Hotel Reviews Tagged With: 5 star, Four Seasons, France, George V, hotel, Paris, Review of George V

Blackberry Farm (Walland, TN)

December 11, 2002 By karin Leave a Comment

Tucked away in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee is a world class resort known as Blackberry Farm. Quite deliberately, the proprietors have neglected to post a sign on the highway marking the turn off to this intimate resort destination. Privacy and tranquility are indeed the hallmarks of a stay at Blackberry Farm.

Blackberry Farm, reached by a meandering country road and charmingly enclosed by a white wooden fence, is in fact a majestic 4200 acre property bordering on the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With these famous mountains as a backdrop, Blackberry Farm itself boasts gorgeous rolling hills, babbling streams, thick clusters of trees and wide meadows where horses graze. Accommodations and services are housed in elegant, country style buildings that blend perfectly into these idyllic Southern surroundings.



Upon arrival for our week-long, early December holiday, we drove up to the tree-bordered entrance road to Oak Cottage where we were promptly and warmly received under a porte-cochere. The impression given by the courteous staff upon welcome is that any and all needs will be met with attentiveness and pleasantness. We found this impression to hold true from the start to the finish of our stay. 

After checking in, we and our luggage were chauffeured in one of Blackberry Farm’s motorized carts to our lodgings. (Because of the size of the property, and the hilly terrain, these vehicles are a handy way to get from place to place. By phoning the reception desk at Oak Cottage, you can arrange to be picked up and delivered promptly to other locations on the property.) Luxurious rooms are available in the Main House, a stately, county manor style building, where the dining room is also found. There are more rooms in the neighboring Guest House, both just across the way from Oak Cottage. More private cottage suites are also available in Holly Glade, a secluded, treed space at the bottom of the hill descending from the Main House. Each cottage in the Holly Glade contains two separate units with their own private covered porch. A Holly Glade cottage suite is particularly impressive with its king sized canopied bed, spacious sitting area, large bathroom complete with roomy whirlpool tub, and a generous walk-in closet. Though quite large, the overall impression of the cottage suite is one of cozy luxury due to the rich, colorful fabrics of the furnishings and draperies, the homey antiques and, in no small measure, the wood burning fireplace. A generous woodpile is located just outside of your door should you wish to build a fire. (Of course, a staff member will gladly light the fire for you !) Even the small touches throughout the suite reflect the attention to detail characteristic of Blackberry Farm. The fridge and pantry are well-stocked with complimentary gourmet snack fare, and high-end Aveda beauty and bath products grace the bathroom.

Little could be better than sitting by a roaring fire on a pillowy soft sofa gazing out at the Smoky Mountains from the cottage’s picture window. However, should you manage to leave the comfort of your room, there is plenty to do at Blackberry Farm. You might explore the property by following the paved path, either by foot or by renting a motorized cart for a modest hourly fee. We decided on an initial driving tour, to get a sense of the magnitude of the property as well as spectacular vantage points for future strolls. As well, we noted the occasional hammock and pairs of adirondack chairs placed strategically for your repose during a pleasant walk of the grounds.

For those guests seeking more movement than rest, several unpaved hiking trails have trailheads leading off of the main paved road. Their level of difficulty is noted on the property map, and you might choose to take along your gourmet boxed lunch, provided each day, for refreshment.

Besides exploring Blackberry Farm by foot, a host of other activities are available. Horseback riding and fly fishing on the picturesque Hesse Creek can be done year round. (Fly fishing lessons are available, but should be booked prior to your arrival.) Tennis courts and a heated outdoor swimming pool are open, weather and season permitting.

If you have come to Blackberry Farm for relaxation, you will find it in its ultimate form at the Farmhouse Spa (an Aveda Concept Spa). Massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, makeup consultations and other treatments are offered with superior service in the most incredible surroundings. The converted farmhouse is outfitted with cozy couches, wood burning fireplaces in private treatment rooms, and huge windows looking out onto the mountains. And, of course, only scrumptious, all-natural Aveda products are used. (Again, it is wise to book spa treatments well ahead of your visit to avoid disappointment.)

At the center of any stay at Blackberry Farm is fabulous food. We took our meals in the welcoming, genteel Main House Dining Room. An incredible view of the valley can be enjoyed through the large window at breakfast, where freshly squeezed orange juice and hot buttermilk biscuits are also highlights. In the evening, we enjoyed a roaring fire in the massive stone fireplace, chasing away the chill of the cooler December days.  Sumptuous five-course dinners were served with impeccable presentation. Besides excellent beef, lamb and chicken dishes, the chef skillfully incorporates local recipes and ingredients such as grits, fresh trout and, of course, blackberries into the gourmet menu. Our knowledgeable sommelier breathed life into the impressive wine list, drawing from their 8,000 foot wine cellare, making excellent wine suggestions to highlight each of our exquisite meals.

Overall, Blackberry Farm is well worth visiting for those seeking serenity in their surroundings, luxurious amenities and excellent service. 

Overall Experience
We give Blackberry Farm 5 Stars – Outstanding!

For more information or to make reservations, visit www.blackberryfarm.com

Filed Under: Hotel Reviews Tagged With: 5 star, Blackberry Farm, fine dining, fine wines, hotel, luxury, resort, Smoky Mountains, spa, Tennessee, TN, USA

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