We were staying at the equally glorious Ritz Carlton and wanted to check out the main opposition. We were not disappointed! Whilst the Ritz in the main goes for Conservative European styled historical opulence, Four Seasons is a truly contemporary hotel not afraid of minimalist design and breaking new boundaries in the search for a 21st century definition of the perfect luxury hotel. Er, modern, not nostalgic!
We found Four Seasons a lot louder, despite the muted ambience of the decor, with the mid afternoon bar made remarkable, but only slightly off putting, by an extremely flamboyant and, er, vocal man in braces with his even noisier partner. To accompany this surreal, cocktail sipping piece of lounge theatre, the table across the way from us was occupied by a very drunk, plainly suited middle aged man, sobering up on mineral waters.
In short, all seriously well behaved hooligans! Yes, we think it only fair to be included in that category too!
We enjoyed the scenario but found it hard to envisage the same situation within a Ritz Carlton. One wouldn't want to disturb the hushed reverie!
Hope you like the pictures. We loved the 'Cosmintinis'.The sun dried cranberries served with this original cocktail were a delightful and impeccably served San Francisco first!
Needless to say, we were unable to fulfil our strict financial commitment ($14 each a hit) of only sticking to the one!
Four Seasons is an incredibly seductive hotel, the ambience is second to none. The downright plain (as opposed to minimalist) exterior belies its serious interior aesthetic charm.
As Tripadvisor has highlighted in their recent polls, it is one of the world's very best hotels.
The staff was certainly highly professional, but more functional than Ritz Carlton personal. Indeed, this essential difference between these two rival hotels seems to highlight their mutual excellence and inevitable competition with each other.
Long may they both reign!








