hollywood billionaire

Chapter 575 A Grand Tour of the New Century's Nobles

Chapter 575 A Grand Tour of the New Century's Nobles (Part 2)
Paris didn't leave Han Yi with a very good first impression.

It wasn't that there was anything wrong with the service from NetJets' European team, or any problem with the reception at Le Bourget Airport. The £11634 air trip went perfectly.

He was quite satisfied with his overall experience flying the Falcon 7X. His Gulfstream G650ER had a total volume of 2138 cubic feet, while the Falcon 7X had approximately 1552 cubic feet. A 35% increase in interior space is no small difference. This massive volume creates a considerable sense of spaciousness during flights exceeding 14 hours. It allows for wider aisles, more substantial seats, and significantly reduces any feeling of confinement. The same advantage is reflected in the baggage compartment; the G650ER offers 195 cubic feet of storage space, while the Falcon 7X provides 140 cubic feet—crucial for long-haul travel with multiple passengers.

However, this is a different story if it is a short-haul flight of one hour with only two passengers.

With only Han Yi and Barbara inside, the Falcon 7X cabin felt quite spacious. NetJets' Falcon 7X fleet clearly had a well-thought-out interior, exuding elegance and impeccable maintenance, keeping the interior looking brand new. Moreover, Dassault is renowned in the business aviation sector for its extensive customization options. Owners can choose from a vast library of materials, including rare wood veneers, hand-stitched leather, and custom carpets. Han Yi looked around; the aircraft's interior style clearly benefited from the collaboration between Dassault and BMW Group's US design center—an award-winning cabin design emphasizing clean lines, high-quality materials, and an open, modern aesthetic.

Furthermore, the G650ER's cabin features 16 signature oversized oval windows, while the Falcon 7X boasts a total of 28 panoramic windows, each significantly smaller than the last, densely packed along both sides of the fuselage to ensure every seat has its own private view. These two design philosophies create drastically different psychological experiences. Han Yi recalled his G650ER; its expansive surface and giant windows combined to create a sense of grandeur and authority, like a boardroom in the air, suitable as a mobile office for transoceanic flights. The Falcon 7X's numerous windows, arranged more compactly than the G650ER's, create a unique sense of tranquility and intimacy, more like a refined aerial motorhome.

In other words, the G650ER is more suitable for Han Yi to take Madison Bill's tour team all the way from Los Angeles to New York to kick off his new album tour. As for the Falcon 7X, it is more suitable for spontaneous trips between major European cities, like now, with Barbara Pavin nestled in his arms, constantly sharing interesting content on Instagram with him and laughing and talking.

Of course, besides the cabin design of the Falcon 7X, what impressed Han Yi the most was the quietness of the aircraft.

The Falcon 7X is not only Dassault's quietest aircraft, but also one of the quietest business jets on Earth.

Through advanced sound insulation technology, precise engine vibration reduction technology, and special engine pylons, the cabin noise level is strictly controlled between 50 and 52 decibels.

This is an almost library-level absolute tranquility, the cornerstone of the Falcon series' luxurious experience. During flight, this silence greatly reduces passenger fatigue and allows for conversations at normal volume or undisturbed rest.

Although Han Yi knew that his G650ER also prided itself on its exceptionally quiet cabin—some sources even claiming noise levels as low as 47 decibels—the Falcon 7X's outstanding reputation for acoustic comfort was its core advantage recognized by the market. In actual experience, this extreme quietness truly lived up to its reputation, surpassing even the G650ER.

As for flight performance, Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW307A three-engine configuration means that the Dassault Falcon 7X performs almost identically to his G650ER's twin-engine Rolls-Royce BR725 in short-haul flights.

若是韩易那架注册号为1NAH1的湾流来飞这条航线，需要耗时约45分钟，而NetJets的这架猎鹰7X耗时是50分钟。

For flights under an hour, this difference is negligible.

So, the plane took off at 2:17 PM. Han Yi casually ate some afternoon tea prepared by the NetJets crew, and spent some more time cuddling with Barbara. At 3:01 PM, the plane landed at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, six minutes ahead of schedule. There was no need to go to the terminal or collect their luggage; once the cabin door opened, the two of them simply climbed into the Maybach that had been prepared for them by the Four Seasons Hotel George V.

London's top luxury hotels offer airport transfers right to your boarding gate, and Paris, a symbol of luxury with numerous legendary hotels, is no exception.

Paris in 2016 was the pinnacle of the global luxury hotel arena. The competition among palace-level hotels in terms of service had long since extended from the décor of hotel suites and the features of Michelin-starred restaurants to the tarmac of Le Bourget Airport.

In this silent competition, the choice of a limousine fleet has long transcended the realm of transportation, becoming the hotel's primary calling card to showcase its strength, taste, and unique character.

The participants in the competition all gave it their all, showcasing a dazzling array of skills. The Peninsula Hotel, which had just reopened after renovations in 2014 and was eager to establish itself in the new landscape of the European hotel industry, made a high-profile appearance on the streets of Paris with its fleet of Peninsula Green Rolls-Royces, renowned from its Hong Kong headquarters. This ultimate representation of British luxury stood out prominently against the backdrop of the Haussmannian-style architecture, becoming mobile billboards.

The Ritz Paris, which also underwent a major renovation in June of this year and reopened to guests after a four-year hiatus, prefers to use Bentley's Mulsanne and Flying Spurs to form its limousine fleet, matching the legendary status of Place Vendôme with its rich British aristocratic heritage.

By promoting British style in France and French luxury in the UK, the Ritz Hotel understands how to build its reputation and capture the high-end market on both sides of the English Channel through differentiation.

As for the Hotel Place Athena on Avenue Montaigne and the Hotel Maurice next to the Tuileries Garden, these two one-of-a-kind luxury hotels are both members of the Dorchester Collection. Their fleets rely more on the reliable, understated, and reliable top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz S-Class, practical and tasteful. Of course, for guests who have booked the top suites, they will be quietly upgraded to Bentleys.

With these comparisons, the Maybach S600 that the Four Seasons Hotel George V prepared for Han Yi and Barbara seems somewhat intriguing.

Unlike the Rolls-Royce at the Peninsula, which is almost ostentatious, or the Bentley at the Ritz, which carries the heavy burden of a brand positioning, this German flagship, built on the S-Class platform but with exponential improvements in rear-seat comfort, quietness, and luxury, perfectly embodies the character of the Four Seasons Hotel George V.

Its luxury—the exquisite interior, advanced technology, and comfortable ride are beyond question. Yet it is understated—to those unfamiliar with the logo, it is simply a longer, more refined Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

This choice fully reflects the confidence and composure of a regular guest who consistently ranks among the world's best hotels.

It doesn't need the most extravagant facade to prove itself, because the name "George V Four Seasons" itself is the ultimate guarantee of luxury and service.

"Madame et Monsieur, bienvenueà Paris."

Before starting the car, the driver politely turned to the side from the front seat, with a professional yet warm smile, and looked at Han Yi and Barbara in the back seat.

He spoke French, with a Parisian accent so strong it was almost stereotypical, his intonation carrying a rhythmic quality.

This is by no means rudeness or disregard for the guest's nationality. On the contrary, it is precisely part of the French experience. The vast majority of tourists who travel thousands of miles to Paris want to hear this language and experience this atmosphere. A French opening, like the light show at the Eiffel Tower, is a ceremonial signal confirming "you are in Paris," instantly elevating the guest's experience to a whole new level.

Like Eden, who was impeccably dressed at the Ritz London, the driver before me was equally well-dressed. He was a black man, around forty or fifty years old, with a kind face, wearing a well-tailored charcoal black suit, a crisp white shirt, and a silver-grey silk tie with the subtle pattern of the George V Hotel.

Seeing that Han Yi and Barbara's attention was focused on him, the driver quickly switched to English, though his thick French accent remained.

“My name is Pascal.” He nodded slightly. “Pascal-Baptiste.”

Before Han Yi could reply, Barbara Pavin, sitting on the right side of the back row, leaned forward slightly and responded in a light and cheerful French that was equally pleasant but far less exaggerated than Pascal's: "Bonjour, Pascal. Je suis Barbara, Enchanté."

Upon hearing this fluent French, Pascal's smile became even brighter.

“Enchanté egalement, Madame Palvin.” Pascal looked quite pleased. “Ce n'est pas la première fois que nous nous rencontrons.”

“Oui?” Barbara was clearly surprised. Her signature blue eyes widened slightly as she turned her head to examine Pascal's face closely, seemingly trying to recall the corresponding features. Her speech slowed considerably. “I was in Paris a few months ago, and I stayed there… Was it you who was confined to the detached?” “Oui, Madame, that’s exact.” Pascal nodded. “But, I didn’t confine you to the two first days. I just finished confining myself afterward, so the chauffeur who paid for the return, that wasn’t me.”

Barbara gently pressed one hand to her chest, her face showing a look of sudden realization mixed with apology.

“Oh, je suis désolée,” she said apologetically in French. “Je ne vous avais pas reconnu tout de suite.”

“Ce n'est rien, Madame,” Pascal replied with a smirk, “C'est peut-être parce que je porte un costume d'une couleur différente aujourd'hui.”

As soon as they finished speaking, the two of them chuckled together.

"I thought you didn't speak French."

Han Yi, who couldn't understand at all, finally couldn't help but interject in English. He first looked at the smiling driver with interest, then turned his gaze to Barbara, who was smiling slightly, with an undisguised surprise in his tone.

“It’s been several years since I met Madame Bettencourt.” Barbara knew exactly where Han Yi’s surprise came from. “If you want to work in Paris long-term and gain respect and recognition here, how can you do it without learning some French? Besides, I’m not very good at it. I can only have daily conversations. If I want to express something more complicated, I will try to speak in vain for a while and then switch back to English.”

"What you were talking about just now..." Han Yi twitched his index finger back and forth, "It didn't sound like something that was ordinary or simple at all."

“Oh, believe me, the French I just used was only at an elementary level.” Barbara spread her hands. “Pascal just told me that he was my driver during Paris Fashion Week this year, and I apologized for not recognizing him.”

“I told Miss Pavin there was no need to apologize,” Pascal quickly explained to Han Yi in a thick accent. “She is the friendliest celebrity I have ever served… I don’t usually speak to my clients, but I had to greet Miss Pavin as a sign of respect.”

"Not the friendliest celebrity... but the friendliest person." Han Yi specifically singled out the word to correct him.

“Aw, darling.” Barbara cupped Han Yi’s face, gave him a light peck, and then whispered in his ear in a voice only Han Yi could hear, “But I don’t think Madison would agree with you.”

"Baby, you..."

Upon hearing the name, Han Yi's back muscles tensed instantly. He looked at Barbara, seemingly trying to remind his girlfriend of the promise they made during their European trip.

“I didn’t say anything, I just suddenly thought of that cute little girl, it was just a joke.” Barbara winked at him. “Don’t be nervous, everything is fine.”

"I'm not nervous," Han Yi muttered softly, pulling his coat inwards a little tighter.

While the two were talking, Pascal had already smoothly driven the Maybach S600 out of the VIP exit of Le Bourget Airport, merged into the traffic, and headed towards his destination in the city center along the A1 highway.

However, contrary to Han Yi's high expectations, the view outside the car window was not so Parisian.

That day, the city of lights was unusually shrouded in a thick fog. The grayish-white fog blurred the boundary between the sky and the buildings, and even on the highway, visibility was poor. Looking out through the thick, double-glazed soundproof windows, Han Yi could only see the blurry shadows of trees flashing by on both sides and the red taillights of the vehicles ahead.

“I thought we’d left London,” he said, turning to Barbara and half-jokingly remarking, “but it turns out we’ve ended up in another London.”

“Indeed.” Barbara looked out the window and nodded slightly in response. “Luck may not be on our side today… Paris is generally not like that.”

“Miss Pavin is right,” Pascal in the front row chimed in at the opportune moment. “Today’s fog is indeed quite unusual, sir. Although the weather forecast says there may be fog for the next two or three days, it should clear up a bit tomorrow.”

“I don’t really mind if it’s foggy or cloudy.” Han Yi put his arm around Barbara’s shoulder, letting her lean comfortably against him. “My hometown is basically dominated by cloudy days all year round, especially in this cold winter.”

“I’m just a little disappointed, you know…we don’t have much time to ourselves in Paris, and I want to make the most of it.”

Barbara looked up, her blue eyes still bright in the dimly lit back of the Maybach. She reached out a finger and gently touched Han Yi's lips, reassuringly saying, "Don't worry. Because we... don't even need to leave the hotel today."

Upon hearing this, Han Yi raised an eyebrow.

Judging from his expression, you can tell he misunderstood his girlfriend's meaning.

“If you don’t want to leave the hotel, that’s fine with me too,” Han Yi whispered in her ear, in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Oh? Really? You just finished working out in London this morning, and you still have the energy to 'stay in the hotel'?" Barbara gave him a charming sidelong glance, but couldn't help but smile.

"Hehe." Han Yi chuckled nonchalantly, then shamelessly whispered, "It's not like I have to do it."

"Stop it!" Barbara was both annoyed and amused, and lightly patted his arm.

Then, she leaned back in the soft seat, leisurely tidied her hair, and explained:
"The reason I said we don't need to leave the hotel is because George V... is a palace in itself."

“We don’t need to go out; just stay inside for a few hours, and you’ll experience the ultimate charm of Paris.”