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 information (with reviews & YouTube videos) below my slideshow. What’s your favorite Four Seasons hotel? Leave a comment!
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10. FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMP GOLDEN TRIANGLE, THAILAND
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.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
- Other accolades: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most expensive hotels, the world’s most remote luxury hotels, the most luxurious glamping sites, and the most fabulous hotels in Thailand.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. daily breakfast and $100 USD spa credit).
- Review: read my review of Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle here.
9. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ISTANBUL AT THE BOSPHORUS, TURKEY
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!
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bospohorus
- Other accolades: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most luxurious large city hotels, the most fabulous hotels in Istanbul, the best urban resorts in the world, and the best luxury hotels in Turkey.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food and beverage credit).
- Review: read my review of Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus here.
8. FOUR SEASONS RESORT LANAI, HAWAII, USA
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 Four Seasons Resort Lanai here.
7. FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE NAM HAI, VIETNAM
Embellishing heritage with Four Seasons flair, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is a harmonious ode to coast, culture and community in Vietnam’s UNESCO-strewn center. Along a seemingly infinite stretch of sand – hailed by Forbes as one of the best beaches in the world – a strand of sophisticated, visually striking villas lines the dramatic beachfront. Inspired by 2,500 years of history, The Nam Hai’s architecture and interior design present a dramatic play on wind and water inspired by ancient feng shui philosophy and the grandeur of the Tu Duc royal tombs of Hue. All of the 100 private retreats are elegantly finished with Vietnamese lacquer and diaphanous silk, reflecting the soul of Vietnam’s cultural heartland and illuminating the spirit of all who visit. The resort’s central area wraps around three tiers of infinity swimming pools – one of the most stunning hotel pool areas in the world – flanked by the pristine gold sand beach, where exhilarating water sports include X-Jetpacks, wake-boards and jet-skis.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
- Other accolades: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai also features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels & resorts in Vietnam.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (upgrade on arrival, daily continental breakfast, $100 USD resort credit, early check-in and late check-out).
- Review: read my review of Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai here.
6. SAN DOMENICO PALACE, A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, ITALY
Perched on a rocky promontory high above the Ionian Sea, the iconic San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel welcomes its guests with panoramic views of Mount Etna and the ancient Greek theater. The hotel comprises an ancient Dominican convent from the 14th century, as well as a Grand Hotel Wing that was added in 1896. The 111 guest rooms and suites feature original architecture and stylish furnishings. Facilities include an onsite spa, an outdoor infinity pool, magnificent Italian gardens, and several bars & restaurants, including the Michelin star restaurant Principe Cerami. The fabulous hotel was used as the setting for season two of the HBO hit show The White Lotus.
- Hotel website: San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel
- Other accolades: San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel features in my top 10 lists of the best hotels made famous by Hollywood movies & TV shows, the best luxury hotels in Italy, and the best hotels in Sicily.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
- Review: read my review of San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel here.
5. FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE ISLAND MALDIVES AT VOAVAH, MALDIVES
Capturing the imagination, this secluded haven transcends the private island experience: “entirely yours” from the moment of booking, seven bedrooms, a dive school and a private spa extend the oceanic spoils of the Maldives’ only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to up to 22 guests at a time. Voavah days revolve around a double-storey beach house and adjacent white sands, crystal waters and abundant reef – all exemplary even by Maldives standards. A 62 foot (18.9 metre) private yacht – Voavah Summer – invites Voavah guests to explorate the UNESCO protected reserve: diving with whale sharks, snorkelling with manta rays, swimming with neighborhood turtles, fishing for dinner, visiting local islands, surfing unknown breaks and cruising into breathtaking Baa Atoll sunsets. Four Seasons also manages two other terrific properties in the Maldives: Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, both linked by the luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah
- Other accolades: the Four Seasons Maldives properties feature in my top 10 list of the most fabulous properties in the Maldives.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, $100 USD spa credit, welcome amenity in room on arrival, and departure gift).
4. GRAND-HÔTEL DU CAP-FERRAT, A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, FRENCH RIVIERA
Located between Nice and Monaco, at the tip of the beautiful Cap-Ferrat Peninsula, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel is a French Riviera icon. The property faces the Mediterranean and is surrounded by a private 17 acre estate of pine trees and gardens with flowers of a thousand colors. This award-winning legend has hosted many heads of state, celebrities, and artists since 1908. Guests can settle into one of 49 guest rooms, 24 suites, or a super-de-luxe villa with views of the sea or lush pine forest. Open from April to October, the hotel’s famous beach club – Club Dauphin – features an Olympic-size heated seawater pool, cabanas, water-edge deck and a private cable car to reach this spectacular facility. The hotel has three excellent restaurants , including one Michelin-starred Le Cap, which serves contemporary French cuisine.
- Hotel website: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel
- Other accolades: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel also features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in France and the best luxury hotels on the French Riviera.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and $100 USD resort credit).
- Review: read my review of Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, here.
3. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ASTRO PALACE, GREECE
On the sophisticated Athens Riviera, at the tip of a pine-clad peninsula, Four Seasons Hotel Astir Palace offers the best of both worlds: a laid-back seaside escape just 30 minutes from the historical city center. Guests can discover the wonders of ancient civilization at the Acropolis, then return to Four Seasons to unwind and relax. Astir Palace came to life in the 1960s, as the area gained pace as a seaside resort, drawing a crowd that spanned from Greek royalty, to Hollywood glitterati and elite jetsetters, and reopened as a Four Seasons property in 2019 following a $700 million USD renovation. Consisting of two different buildings, the fabulous property features eight restaurants and bars, three pools, a spa center with 10 treatment rooms, a fitness center and an expansive shoreline comprising three private beaches.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Hotel Astir Palace
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and $100 USD resort credit).
- Review: read my review of Four Seasons Hotel Astir Palace here.
2. FOUR SEASONS RESORT BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
On this mystical island with its necklace of white-fringed coral islets, Four Seasons Bora Bora elevates the excitement to redefine South Seas escape. Wrapped by majestic views, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is surrounded by sand-fringed islets on an outer coral reef that enclose a turquoise lagoon. The resort offers 121 spacious hideaways with 100 over-water bungalows and 7 beachfront villas, all overlooking the lagoon’s crystal clear waters and some with spectacular views of Mount Otemanu. Inspired by local architecture, all guest accommodations offer a restful, airy ambience; complete with traditional teak wood furnishings, high ceilings and thatched roofs made from pandanus leaves. Special touches that accentuate the feel of Polynesia include striking works of art, private pools and sliding doors by deep bathtubs for panoramic fresh-air views of the lagoon.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
- Other accolades: Four Seasons Bora Bora also features in my top 10 lists of hotels rooms with a spectacular view, the world’s best honeymoon resorts, and the most fabulous resorts in French Polyenesia.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, $100 USD spa credit, and complimentary WiFi).
- Review: read my review of Four Seasons Bora Bora here.
1. FOUR SEASONS RESORT SEYCHELLES, SEYCHELLES
In this lush castaway sanctuary, days promise barefoot ease as you stroll along the white powder beach. Set in the heart of a lost Eden and one of the most beautiful bays on earth, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles offers guests an unrivalled luxury hotel experience in a natural ocean and jungle setting. The resort’s villas, each with plunge pool and perched on a jungled hillside, will challenge your notion of paradise and feature interiors that draw their inspiration from a mix of rustic Seychellois and French colonial style. The magnificent beach is just a short stroll away, scented en-route by cinnamon trees and frangipani. As well as indulging in water sports, there’s a lovely swimming pool to relax by with poolside dining and refreshments readily available. The spa is a treat for all, located at the top of the hill and overlooking spectacular Petite Anse, with both adults and children welcome.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
- Other accolades: Four Seasons Resort Seychelles also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s best hotel rooms with private plunge pools and the best luxury resorts in the Seychelles.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and $100 USD resort credit).
- Review: read my review of Four Seasons Resort Seychelles here.
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We just booked both of The Seychelles properties for February 2022! Cannot wait!
Four Seasons Fun Fact ! Mr Sharp has always believed that chocolate right before sleep interrupts sleeping patterns and contributes to a lousy nights’ rest. Therefore, you will never find a pillow chocolate at your evening turn down service in any Four Seasons.
We think you should have included Four Seasons Hong Kong.
No Australia! You have to get out here and see what we have to offer.
You have four seasons big island ranked higher than lanai on the top resorts in Hawaii, but not on this list?
We stayed at both the resorts in The Seychelles this past June. The mainland resort was very disappointing. The service was not the usual for Four Seasons, the rooms are dated and the cost of less than memorable food and drink was extortionate. The Desroches property has great rooms and service. We just returned from the Sharm el Sheikh property which has had extensive upgrades and is lovely for winter sun from the UK and Europe. Next for us is the FS Paris which we are really looking forward to!
How often are these lists updated? I notice the Four Seasons in NY listed on 57th but the hotel has been closed for a couple of years and has no date for reopening.
I always look forward to staying at FS George V in Paris. Love their fresh flower arrangements and having lunch in the courtyard during summer days
The FS Tented Camp is the best resort we’ve ever stayed at; amazing attention to detail and personalized service. Glad it’s on the list, but think it should be higher than #10 🙂
I think that in the Seychelles I would favour Four Seasons Desroches over Four Seasons on Mahé. Desroches is a magical island where you can see freely roaming Giant Tortoises on land, and sharks and rays swimming by in the sea. The beaches are secluded and you will often have them to yourself. Whereas the Mahé resort, it does have a nice beach but it is small given the size of the resort, you will share it with plenty of other guests and you never get that ‘castaway’ feeling. I would also add the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan; set in the middle of the jungle on the banks of a fast moving river it has the most beautiful, spiritual atmosphere.
I’m sorry, where the fuck is Sharm?
I visited both the Seychelles Four Seasons resorts in March of this year. 11 nights at Desroches and two nights in Mahe. Both where fantastic. While the food was slightly better in Mahe and it had proper internet connection, Desroches is just absolutely magical for the senses of getting away from it all, peace and quite.
I’d put Desroches at number 1 position.