WillTravel, thank you for your comments. It made me realise that "intuitive" service, knowing that some guests prefer to be smothered in that sense, and others like to be left alone, is the key hallmark. The reason I like Four Seasons properties when I am on vacation is that I like being spoiled rotten without feeling that they are making me feel claustrophobic. They are friendly, yet professional, and know when to leave you alone. The problem with many Ritz Carlton properties for me is that I feel it is way overdone -- that they want to become my friends but it feels "put on" at the same time. Some Four Seasons staff are like that in my experience but I find most genuinely very pleasant people.

When I am travelling for "not on vacation" (being a University student I don't have a job except my dissertation) or "when daddy is NOT paying" I rotate between Holiday Inn's and Hilton's as they are perfectly comfortable, I do not need clothing pressed at 3:00am or need 2 tickets for a top restaurant. In that sense I choose the hotel based on value, the cross between price, location, and comfort.

What was spooky was when a Four Seasons Hotel knew it was my birthday and my family swore to me that they did not let the hotel know!!

Cheers