As he built his globetrotting career in the hospitality business, Thibaut Drege always told himself that should Four Seasons come calling, he would move mountains to answer that call.
So it was that in 2018 Thibaut had the opportunity to return to his home city of Paris, to become Hotel Manager at the George V. This prestigious and storied property has been part of the Four Seasons family since 1999, when the company was brought on board by the hotel’s then new owner, Saudi businessman His Royal Highness Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.
However, this recent history tells only a fraction of the George V story which is one that dates back to1928, and encompasses a sale prompted by the Wall Street Crash, serving as home and HQ for General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Liberation of Paris, and playing host to The Beatles when they wrote the song ‘I Feel Fine’ using a piano that had been specially installed in their suite.
Awarded the Palace status in 2011, and in the meantime with no fewer than three Michelin-starred restaurants within its premises, the George V would be the jewel in the crown of any hospitality career. And in late 2024, after a spell as General Manager of the Four Seasons in Budapest, Thibaut came ‘home’ to the George V to become General Manager.
The Insider caught up with Thibaut during a visit to our Recruitment Day at Bulle campus, where the Four Seasons team were kept busy all day by a steady stream of students looking for internships and full-time roles – a testament to the enduring appeal of this luxury hospitality brand...
The Insider (TI): What was it that first attracted you to hospitality management as a career?
Thibaut Drege (TD): Like many young people, I was hesitating between two career paths: one in medicine, the other in hospitality. While they might seem like very different careers, both are deeply centered on people and grounded in a genuine sense of care for others. Perhaps somewhat naively, I chose hospitality believing it might offer a more balanced rhythm of life.
When I graduated from hospitality school and began my career in the hotel industry, I made a promise to myself. One day I hoped to lead an iconic property as General Manager. A palace such as the George V represented that dream. From that moment onward, this ambition became the guiding thread of my career. I worked with that vision in mind at every step. Today I am deeply grateful to say that this dream has come true.
TI: when you took on your first GM position at the Four Seasons in Budapest, was there anything that surprised you about the role?
TD: I had been preparing for this step for many years, since my very first day at hospitality school. Having clear goals and working towards them with discipline and consistency is essential to building a meaningful career. To be honest, patience has not always come naturally to me. However, I have learned how important it is to move forward with caution and the importance of ensuring that one is truly ready before taking the next step.
TI: The George V is a globally renowned hotel, with a reputation for quality and service excellence that is among the very best. Does this status bring added pressure to the GM’s role?
TD: I’d say there’s a certain sense of responsibility in overseeing a hotel which is such an important contributor to the reputation of the Four Seasons brand, as well as in honoring the vision of an owner who has invested so significantly in this asset. That said, the most meaningful form of pressure is the one we place upon ourselves, and the way we strive for excellence across the entire team. I see that as a positive pressure, not a negative.
TI: You mentioned the team at George V, which is around 600 strong. That’s a lot of people to lead, so how would you characterize your leadership style?
TD: I see my role as a fairly simple one, and that’s because I have such an amazing team of people who are deeply engaged and totally committed to maintaining this hotel’s position among the world’s best. My role is to give them everything they need to fully express their expertise, their potential and the passion they bring each day, whether we’re talking about a chef, a sommelier, a head concierge, a housekeeper or one of our wonderful florists.
I have always been drawn to the arts – and particularly to music. If I were to draw a parallel, I would say my role as being similar to that of a conductor leading an orchestra of exceptional talents. I would never presume to teach a principal violinist, a true virtuoso, how to play the violin; just as I would never presume to tell a Michelin starred chef how to cook. My role is to ensure that each talent expresses themselves at the right moment, and that together they perform in perfect harmony.
TI: I guess there’s also a strategic element to the role, in terms of preparing the hotel for the future and the ever-changing guest demands?
TD: Indeed, as a General Manager it is essential to project a clear vision for the future. In fact, just the other day I was in discussions with our owner about what we do next in terms of investing in the property. For example, in 2025 alone, we undertook the renovation of all our rooms and suites, as well as our two-Michelin-star restaurant and three of our reception salons. We also developed a number of new concepts. All of this is essential to building and reinforcing the identity of a luxury hotel and it is indeed one of the most exciting aspects of a General Manager’s role.
TI: As well as having a supportive owner, the hotel of course benefits from carrying the Four Seasons brand name. How important is that association and how influential is Four Seasons in terms of the way the hotel operates and its market positioning?
TD: First and foremost, we have a set of tools and standards to ensure the George V operates in alignment with, and presents itself in a manner consistent with, the other hotels in the Four Seasons portfolio. Such a framework will be familiar to anyone who has worked within a branded environment.
Beyond this, one of the truly distinctive strengths of Four Seasons is that our guests are emotionally engaged with the brand like no others I’ve experienced. Of course, some guests know us primarily as the George V and a number have been loyal to the property before it became part of the Four Seasons family. Yet, many others, when planning a stay in Paris, seek out a Four Seasons hotel. This, indeed, drives an important element of our business.
TI: Across your two spells at the hotel, you’ve now had a chance to get to know the building quite intimately. Do you have a favorite place within it – maybe a lesser-known corner that you particularly love?
TD: To answer that, I have to take you back to the Covid period, when we had to close our doors to guests. I remained onsite and would regularly walk around the building to ensure everything was in order. One day, while standing on a terrace, my attention was drawn to a window concealed behind a false wall, yet one that clearly had the potential to offer a remarkable view of the Eiffel Tower. Perhaps the most beautiful sightline in the entire hotel!
We brought out a building plan and discovered that this wall was in a bathroom of one of our suites. This led us to completely revamp that suite and now this is one of our signature suites with a beautiful Eiffel Tower view. That suite has only been open for a few months and it’s already one of our best-selling signature suites.
TI: Final question, what does the future hold for Thibaut Drege? What would you say are your remaining ambitions in the business of hospitality?
TD: Above all, I retain a deep passion for what I do. My foremost ambition is thus to continue setting the bar extremely high for my hotel, the George V, ensuring it remains among the best hotels in the world.
As I progress into my career, I also feel an increasing desire to give back to the industry by supporting the talents of tomorrow. There’s a genuine sense of fulfilment in guiding the next generation to follow their paths in the right way – today at Glion I’ve met young people in whom I recognize myself from my days as a student. I’d love to play my part in helping them to reach their potential, and to find, as I have over the past twenty years, both purpose and happiness in a career in hospitality.
TI: Thibaut Drege, thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us.
• To discover more about the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris visit the website
