Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: My 10 preferred Four Seasons hotels & resorts in the world
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is one of the world's leading ultra-luxury hotel brands, with more than 100 properties in more than 40 countries. The Toronto based is rapidly expanding, with dozens of hotel projects in development across the globe. Four Seasons was founded in 1960 by Isadore Sharp, who remains the company's hands-on chairman (despite being in his early nineties). Sharp's first luxury hotel was the Four Seasons London, which opened in 1970. The company went public in 1986, and since 2007, Bill Gates and Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal have been majority owners of the company. Some Four Seasons Hotels are fully owned by the brand, but it acts as a management company for many of its properties. In addition, Four Seasons owns residential properties in several resort areas. Here's my selection of the 10 best Four Seasons hotels & resorts in the world.
There is more info below my slideshow. Think I missed one? Share your favorite Four Seasons hotel in the comments section, or take my poll below!
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Hidden within exotic bamboo jungles, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers tailor-made, all-inclusive experiences close to some of Thailand's oldest civilizations, commanding majestic views of Burma across the Ruak River and mountains of Laos in the northeast The luxury resort comprises 15 beautifully appointed tents with leather-and-hardwood bush chairs, paddle fans, and a hardwood desk; some of them feature a custom-made wooden hot tub on the outdoor deck. At night, sundowners are offered at the Burma Bar, then afterwards, guests enjoy unforgettable dining experiences in a safari camp atmosphere at the Nong Yao Restaurant. A stay at the lodge includes a comprehensive list of activities, such as walking with the resort's resident elephants, or absorbing the tropical tranquility with an open-air massage among the treetops.
After experiencing the exhilarating whirlwind that is the Big Apple, you can return to the serenity of the Four Seasons Hotel New York. Located in Midtown Manhattan's exclusive East 57th Street, the hotel invites you to live the ultimate New York lifestyle in a 52-storey tower designed by I.M. Pei. It is a modern-day palace in the sky that is unique in so many ways that it is difficult to think of what hotel in the city compares. If your taste runs to sleek and contemporary look no further. The spectacular lobby is steeped in grand tradition, highlighted with art deco lamps and a backlit onyx ceiling. With 368 suites decorated in tranquil colors – some featuring private, furnished terraces – the hotel offers guests a quiet sanctuary in "the city that never sleeps." When reserving a suite with terrace, opt to indulge in a private, five-course dining experience, served as high as 500 ft (150 m) above Manhattan.
Four Seasons turned one of the city's most amazing palaces and a former papal residence with the largest private park in Florence into an urban resort without parallel. Much of the palace's original renaissance artistry was restored in the years immediately prior to the Four Seasons's opening. The hotel's interiors are adorned with arches, inlaid pillars, friezes, painted frescoes and marble floors. The 116 guest rooms and suites at are located within three buildings, and no two rooms are alike, resulting in artistry and historic details that will keep guests fascinated. With its staff to guest ratio of two-to-one, and a location close to The Accademia, where Michelangelo's "David" resides, this property offers the best in services, atmosphere, and location. Add the exclusive spa facilities and incomparably lovely grounds with their extensive offerings, and guests can lose themselves in Renaissance history without sacrificing contemporary Italian flair and cutting-edge technology.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Florence
- Other accolades: Four Seasons Florence also features in my top 10 list of the best urban resorts in the world.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, welcome gift, daily breakfast, $100 USD resort credit, early check in and late check out).
Located along the Bosphorus, in one of Istanbul's most naturally beautiful neighborhoods, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosporus is a former 19th-century palace transformed into a hotel sanctuary of luxury and comfort. It consists of three blocks, with the original palace building flanked by two modern wings. A circular drive sweeps down to the entrance, in the main palace building, with a lovely tiered gardens interspersed with fountains and waterfalls in the middle. The hotel's main asset is an expansive waterfront terrace with a large swimming pool, plenty of sun loungers, and a private boat dock, linking the hotel to its sister property, the Four Seasons Istanbul in Sultanahmet, which is close to Istanbul's historic sites. The 145 guest rooms and 25 suites are an airy fusion of traditional Ottoman architecture and contemporary furnishings. The pillared underground swimming hall (with classical music playing underwater) and hammam are not to be missed!
On the southeastern shores of Hawaii's last unspoiled island, Four Seasons Resort Lanai is your gateway to an exotic, private paradise where opportunities for adventure and relaxation abound. The ultraluxe resort – which reopened in 2016 after undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation – offers dazzling views over the gold crescent of Hulopo'e Beach to the blue-green waters of a protected marine preserve. Inspired by Hawaii's diverse and storied influences, the interiors showcase walls of teak and zebra wood edging artisan-produced Nepalese lokta paper and floors of mahogany laid with wool hand-woven area rugs. Verdant botanical gardens, two lagoon-style pools and cascading waterfalls serve as a beautiful backdrop for outdoor art and sculpture. Four Seasons Lana'i at Manele Bay offers 217 over-sized guest rooms & suites, each with a private lanai, two restaurants (including a NOBU), a full-service spa, and two legendary golf courses.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Resort Lanai
- Other accolades: Four Seasons Resort Lanai also features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Hawaii.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).
- Review: read my review of the Four Seasons Resort Lanai here.
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