Four Seasons Tops 2016 Forbes Travel Guide Star Ratings, Earning More Five Star Awards Than Any Other Hotel Brand

TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world's leading luxury hospitality company, today announced that Forbes Travel Guide has bestowed its coveted Five-Star rating on 26 Four Seasons properties worldwide, the largest number of Five-Star ratings awarded to a single hotel brand. Six Four Seasons properties also earned their first Five-Star designation this year, marking a record number of annual additions for one brand during the guide's 58-year history.

"We are honoured that Forbes Travel Guide has recognised 26 of our hotels and resorts with their highest star rating," said J. Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "Each of our more than 43,000 employees around the world is united under one brand that is singularly focused on perfecting the luxury experience for our guests. This achievement speaks to our people's incredible passion and commitment to delivering an unparalleled level of service excellence across our portfolio." 

The six Four Seasons properties that earned their first Five-Star designation in 2016 are Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (Florence), Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler.

Star ratings are awarded by a team of anonymous professional inspectors. In the words of Forbes Travel Guide, its inspectors "travel the world to assess hotels, restaurants and spas against up to 800 objective standards." Star ratings ultimately emphasise quality of service. Five-Star properties are defined as "outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities."

The 26 Four Seasons properties that have earned Five Stars in 2016 are:

Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta 
Four Seasons Hotel Boston 
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago 
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo 
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze 
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva 
Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou 
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake 
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong 
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai 
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole 
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane 
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills 
Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip 
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea 
Four Seasons Hotel New York 
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach 
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris 
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico 
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco 
Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai at Pudong
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle 
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto 
Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver 
Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. 
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler 

Forbes Travel Guide plans to formally bestow the ratings at a Five Star Awards Ceremony and Banquet in mid-April. The ceremony will take place at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver.

About Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Founded in 1960, Four Seasons continues to define the future of luxury hospitality with extraordinary imagination, unwavering commitment to the highest standards of quality, and the most genuine and customised service. Currently operating 96 hotels, resorts and residences in major city centres and resort destinations in 41 countries, and with more than 50 projects in development, Four Seasons consistently ranks among the world's best hotels and most prestigious brands in reader polls, traveller reviews and industry awards. For more information and reservations, visit fourseasons.com. For the latest news, visit press.fourseasons.com and follow @FourSeasonsPR on Twitter.

About Forbes Travel Guide:
Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, is the originator of the prestigious Five Star Rating system, and has provided the travel industry's most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels since 1958. Forbes Travel Guide has a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties against up to 800 rigorous and objective standards, providing consumers the insight to make better-informed travel decisions. Forbes Travel Guide is the gold standard for luxury hospitality ratings worldwide. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, visit www.forbestravelguide.com.

ForbesTravelGuide.com combines the objectivity and heritage of the Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating system with insightful recommendations from a hand-selected group of travel experts, tastemakers and Forbes Travel Guide inspectors. ForbesTravelGuide.com is the exclusive online destination for Forbes Travel Guide's list of Star Rated hotels, restaurants and spas, giving registered members exclusive access to special offers and curated experiences from select Forbes Travel Guide partners.

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SOURCE Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts