FTers and Four Seasons Hotels
 

Are they any Flyertalkers who stay regularly at Four Seasons hotels and not worry that they dont' give any miles or hotel loyalty programmes?

Not regularly - just occassionally! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

When business permits, I will gladly take a Four Seasons, Peninsula or similar stay in lieu of points.

I agree, but add that I will also do this on non business (ie. pleasure) trips.

Four Seasons hotels might perhaps be the finest hotel chain group in the world. Loss of points is small price to pay for the privilege of staying at one of their hotels.

Yep. Same with the Ritz. Anytime I can. BTW most individual Four Seasons properties have their own version on an "elite" program although miles are not involved.

J-

As I think auh20 is saying, each property does a great job of tracking and rewarding your loyalty to that location. So, in addition to great facilities and service, you're getting a lot of the benefits of formalized programs.

I don't think there's any tracking across the Four Seasons properties though, and I'm not quite sure why that is.

Ah, yes... as auh2o points out, lets not forget the Ritz properties. The Ritz in Singapore is on of my favorites... great place to stay.

I'm another person who uses FS on occasion. I do not actively participate in any one frequent guest program and I base my lodging decision on location, price, services, etc. Points are incidental. Consequently, I never seem to accumulate enough points for a free stay anywhere http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

To go one step further, I would be hard pressed to give up a ride in a G IV or G V over the miles, assuming my fellow passengers were not abominable.

Four Seasons Hotels are unquestionably head and shoulders above the other chain properties.

I stay with them as often as possible, although the rates can often be nose bleed inducing. I've had good experience in getting suite upgrades through the Amex Fine Hotels program which softens the blow when the bill is presented. With a product like this, miles or points are unimportant.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm also a stockholder in FS.

[edited to add disclosure]

[This message has been edited by dealerjack (edited 01-17-2002).]

There ARE more things in life than miles. Exceptional hotels are in that category! FS, Peninsula, etc. will ALWAYS get my business when they are available.

Depends on the circumstances. If price permits, generally yes. Points are far from everything.

However, if there is a good SPG hotel in the city for a similar rate, where I know I will get not only points, but good treatment, then I generally will stay there.

Will stay @ Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel next month for work.. I actually had a brain hemmorage for a moment and looked up Starwood properties in the area, but nothing was close to where I needed to be -- so, darn, I'll forgo miles.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The Ritz in Naples, FL is wonderful.

While each Ritz recognizes loyalty to its own hotels, I haven't seen it across their chain. I've stayed in a BUNCH (Naples, Tysons Corner, DC, etc.) of RCs over the past two years and never had it acknowledged.

Each hotel in the Ritz chain does recognize loyalty. I've had everything from consistent club level upgrades to free corkscrews and other trinkets of thanks. But it is a shame they don't do it across the chain.