What Is the #1 Luxury Brand in Hotels? Your Guide to the Top Name in Hospitality
When people talk about bucket-list hotels, one name comes up again and again: Four Seasons. It isn’t just hype—traveler reviews, luxury awards, and even hotel insiders keep putting this brand at the top of the list. If you want polished service, jaw-dropping design, and locations that are honestly so good they'll spoil you for any other trip, Four Seasons sets the bar.
This isn’t about gold-plated everything. Instead, it’s things like a concierge who actually remembers your favorite tea, or a rooftop pool where you could spot celebrities and never feel out of place. The way they treat even regular guests like regulars makes people come back. And if you’re ever stuck for last-minute dinner plans, their teams somehow get you into restaurants where everyone else swears there are no open tables. That’s what luxury looks like in real life—not just crystal chandeliers, but thoughtful touches when you need them most.
- The Brand That Tops Every List
- What Puts Them Ahead of the Pack?
- Signature Experiences You Can Actually Book
- Tips to Get the Most Out of a Stay
The Brand That Tops Every List
If you ask most travel insiders, the top seat in luxury hotels goes to Four Seasons. This isn’t just a personal hunch. Forbes Travel Guide and Condé Nast Traveler run surveys and rankings every year, and Four Seasons keeps showing up at the very top, not just in one or two locations, but globally. The company has over 120 properties across 47 countries. That's a bigger global reach than almost any other hotel brand that still manages to keep standards insanely high.
Why do so many lists point to Four Seasons as the best hotel brand? For one thing, their guests leave some of the highest review scores in the industry. According to a recent Forbes report, about 85% of Four Seasons hotels hold the highly coveted five-star rating. Compare that to other names, and you’ll notice the gap.
| Brand | Number of 5-Star Hotels (2024) |
|---|---|
| Four Seasons | 59 |
| Ritz-Carlton | 40 |
| Mandarin Oriental | 32 |
| St. Regis | 25 |
Even business travelers who are normally pretty jaded about luxury hospitality say Four Seasons feels effortless—things just work, and the staff seems to always be two steps ahead. Their consistency is almost spooky. Book a suite in Paris or sit by the pool in Bora Bora, the standards are identical. That’s one major reason the brand keeps topping best-of lists from real travelers, not just travel magazines.
There’s also the reputation among celebrities, diplomats, and tech founders. If it’s a big, headline-grabbing event (like the Oscars or a world leader’s summit), check the guest accommodations. Chances are, Four Seasons is in the mix, sometimes even running the show behind the scenes. They’ve built a name that instantly signals trust and next-level service for any trip that actually matters.
What Puts Them Ahead of the Pack?
If you compare luxury hotels around the world, Four Seasons really knows how to raise the bar. They land at the top not just because of beautiful properties, but because they focus on what guests actually care about: personal service, comfort, and consistency no matter where you stay.
Just to give you an idea, Four Seasons was the first big hotel brand to offer free Wi-Fi in every room—back when other chains were charging for it. They're also known for almost psychic housekeeping (seriously, they seem to know when you leave your room) and for having staff who remember your name after just one day. TripAdvisor and Forbes both keep putting them on their “best of” lists, and their guest satisfaction scores are off the charts.
Here’s what really makes Four Seasons stand out among luxury hospitality brands:
- Personalized service: Staff training is no joke—one stat from the company says employees go through more than 100 hours of training in their first year alone.
- Prime locations: Their flagship hotels are always right where you want to be. Whether it's the heart of Paris, on the sand in Maui, or overlooking the skyline in Tokyo, they pick their spots carefully.
- Consistent quality: No matter what country you’re in, you pretty much know what you’re going to get—from the bedding to the room service menu.
- Sneaky-good family perks: Kids eat free at many properties, and some offer free ice cream, mini bathrobes, or even poolside games. That simple stuff keeps families loyal.
- Wellness and spa extras: Most Four Seasons have legit spas, tons of fitness classes, and special touches like personalized wellness plans if you ask.
If you love a stat, here's one: Four Seasons held the top spot for the highest guest loyalty among top hotel chains in a 2023 survey by Luxury Travel Advisor. Their average guest return rate was 40%. That’s huge in this business, where people love trying new spots.
| What Guests Notice Most | Percent Mentioning It |
|---|---|
| Staff Friendliness | 81% |
| Room Comfort/Cleanliness | 75% |
| Location | 67% |
| Dining Options | 59% |
| Unique Experiences | 53% |
That attention to the whole experience—little details and big moments—explains why Four Seasons keeps winning the best hotel brand title.
Signature Experiences You Can Actually Book
If you think staying at a luxury hotel is all about marble bathrooms and fancy beds, you haven’t seen what Four Seasons offers. You don’t just check in and sleep; you actually get access to stuff normal travelers can only dream about. These signature experiences are so popular, they actually get booked months in advance.
- Private Island Escapes: Four Seasons owns entire islands like their super-exclusive resort in the Maldives. You can book a private sandbank dinner, helicopter transfers, or even reserve the whole island if you have the budget (which, for some guests, isn’t rare).
- Unfiltered City Access: At places like Four Seasons George V in Paris, the concierge can get you after-hours tours of the Louvre or tickets to sold-out shows. Their insiders know everyone, which is why celebrities and heads of state keep coming back.
- Culinary Journeys: Four Seasons Hong Kong has restaurants awarded Michelin stars—including the famous Lung King Heen. You can actually book chef’s table experiences and behind-the-scenes kitchen tours, not just regular dining.
- Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventures: The brand’s “Private Jet Experience” literally takes small groups around the world on a custom-painted Boeing 757, with stops at iconic hotels in places like Bora Bora and Kyoto. You’ve probably seen this in travel magazines; yes, anyone can buy a seat (if you can swing the price, which starts at around $150,000 per person).
A cool fact: at least 80% of Four Seasons guests say personalized touches—like monogrammed robes or memorable excursions—are what keeps them loyal. So if you want more than just a fancy room, you’ll find it here.
Plus, the brand’s mobile app makes it easy to set up room-service picnics in Central Park, private city tours, or spa treatments without the awkward phone calls. Planning these luxury hospitality moments has never been simpler for real people with real plans (even if those plans are just lounging by the pool).
Tips to Get the Most Out of a Stay
Booking a room at the luxury hotels managed by Four Seasons isn’t cheap, so you’ll want to squeeze every bit of value from it. The perks go way beyond the comfy bed. Here’s how to level up your trip without looking like a newbie.
- Let Them Know It’s a Special Trip. If you’re celebrating anything—even if it’s just surviving a hard week at work—tell them. Four Seasons staff are known for their surprises, like chocolate-covered strawberries, handwritten notes, or even a room upgrade if one’s available. No need to be shy about it.
- Book Direct for Better Perks. Reservation platforms are fine, but if you book through the hotel’s own website you usually get extras (hello, free breakfast or late checkout). Check the Offers page; sometimes you’ll see free nights for longer stays.
- Get to Know the Concierge. Don’t just grab a city map and dash. The concierge team can handle everything—private museum tours, those impossible-to-score dinner reservations, even advice on local experiences you won’t find online. Ask them for insider tips; you’ll never end up in a tourist trap.
- Try the Signature Experiences. Each Four Seasons has its own thing. Some do private yachting, others set up chef-led farmer’s market visits. Ask what’s unique at that property. It can be way more memorable than what’s in the guidebook.
- Use the App. Four Seasons’ app isn’t just for mobile check-in. You can message the staff, order room service, or get your clothes pressed—without making a call or leaving the pool. It’s fast and actually gets things done.
These hotels aren’t just for dropping your bags after sightseeing. The properties themselves are experiences, so block out some time just to relax around the pool, the spa, or even the lobby lounge. Staff are trained to anticipate needs you haven’t even thought of, so if you want something... just ask. They love to deliver above the usual best hotel brand standards.
| Perk | Available At Most Locations? | Worth Requesting? |
|---|---|---|
| Complimentary house car (within city center) | Yes | Absolutely saves on taxis |
| 24-hour fitness center access | Yes | Great for odd arrival times |
| Kids stay or dine free programs | Many | Perfect for families |
| Flexible checkout times | Upon request | Always ask, especially with late flights |
If your goal is to enjoy a luxury hospitality experience instead of just a place to crash, act like you’re in on the secret—and don’t let the little extras slip by.