Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will continue its strategy of strengthening its global position as the partner of choice for luxury hotel and residential projects by leveraging its focus on a single brand and an unwavering commitment to luxury.
The company is growing its global portfolio through a combination of new builds, strategic conversions, and adaptive reuses of historic buildings, all while maintaining its focus on custom-designed properties that are purpose-built for each owner and each market.
“We have a very targeted approach to growth, anchored in an absolute focus on the luxury hotel and residential space,” says J. Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “We pursue opportunities that allow us to do what we do best, leverage our competitive advantages – our incredible people and culture – to deliver the highly personalised service that is the expectation of today’s luxury traveller. Our ability to consistently deliver this type of service excellence on a global scale is unmatched and the key to our ongoing success. It will continue to set Four Seasons apart and define our brand.”
In 2015, Four Seasons unveiled five new properties, each one representing a very distinct look and feel. From the ultra-modern towers of Bahrain and Seoul to the urban oasis of Casablanca and the conversion of historic landmarks in Cap-Ferrat and Bogota, the company strives to create unique properties that are local and authentic.
“Each new addition to our portfolio is a testament to the strong partnerships we build with our owners, many of whom own multiple Four Seasons,” continues Smith. “All of our owners have specific objectives and a unique vision for each property. Understanding their objectives and offering our partners the same level of customisation and flexibility we extend to our guests helps us create the very best luxury hotels and residences in the world.”
Building on relationships with existing hotel owners, connecting Four Seasons with new development partners, and leveraging the company’s well-established leadership and expertise in branded residential – particularly as more owners pursue mixed-use development projects – are among the key priorities for Bart Carnahan, who joined the company in late 2015 as Executive Vice President, Global Business Development.
“The nature of our business necessitates long-term relationships based on collaboration, trust and respect – values that are emblematic of Four Seasons unique culture and very apparent to guests and business partners alike,” says Carnahan.
“Another key point of differentiation, one that gives Four Seasons considerable market advantage, is our commitment to a single luxury brand,” continues Carnahan. “Focusing our attention and resources on delivering an unrivalled level of quality and customised service helps strengthen our position as RevPAR leaders, which is very appealing to existing and potential partners.”
With a pipeline of more than 50 hotels, resorts and residences at various stages of planning and development, the company’s growth strategy continues to focus on destinations of importance to luxury travellers, key outbound markets where establishing a local presence helps build brand awareness, and markets where Four Seasons already operates successfully and wants to increase representation.
In 2016, Four Seasons plans to open its fifth resort in Hawaii (O’ahu at Ko Olina) and second hotels in Bogota, Dubai (at DIFC) and New York (Downtown), as well as new hotels in Abu Dhabi and Kyoto.
Four Seasons has also previously announced plans for new hotels, resorts and residences in Bangkok, Kuwait City, Madrid, Philadelphia, Surfside (Florida), Sao Paulo and Tianjin, as well as second properties in Boston (One Dalton Street) and London (Ten Trinity Square).
