Yep. It's all true. My brother works for the Ritz Carlton, Chicago (a Four Season's property). The interesting thing is that the properties both partner with each other in sales efforts AND screw each other at the same time. Of course, they now have the Penninsula to worry about - times are a changin'! It'll be interesting to see if the Ritz can retain its Conde Nast Traveler status as top hotel in the U.S.