With this week’s opening of Four Seasons Hotel Tianjin, its ninth property in China, Four Seasons is celebrating its growth while also looking ahead to the future.

In total, the luxury hotel company has more than 50 future projects in the pipeline, including planned openings in London (Ten Trinity Square) and the Seychelles (Desroches Island) and a fourth property in Florida (Surfside) for 2017. The company also plans to open hotels in Kuwait, Megève and Tunis later this year.

In 2016, the company opened nine properties, including Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, Four Seasons Resort O'ahu at Ko Olina, Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta, Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, Four Seasons Resort Anguilla and Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam.  Additionally, the hotelier opened its first private island experience, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll—the world's only exclusive-use UNESCO hideaway located in a World Biosphere Reserve.

Read more: Four Seasons Hotel to Open in Montreal

"Our aspiration is not to be the biggest; it's to be the best," says J. Allen Smith, president and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "We are singularly focused on serving the luxury consumer. Against the current backdrop of industry consolidation and commoditisation, there is tremendous opportunity to extend Four Seasons leadership in the pure luxury space."  

Future plans also include plans for hotels, resorts and residences in Montreal, Los Cabos, Bangkok, Madrid, Philadelphia, São Paulo, Bengaluru, and Kuala Lumpur, as well as second properties in Boston and Tokyo.

New Leadership

"Market dynamics alone do not guarantee success," continues Smith. "Our ability to capitalise on these opportunities is directly related to the strength of our leadership team, and the ability of our people – the most passionate and talented in the industry – to deliver an unparalleled level of personalised service."

To that end, the company has appointed Michael (Mike) Crawford to the newly created role of President, Portfolio Management and Owner Relations. Crawford first joined Four Seasons in 2014 as President, Asia Pacific and moved into his new role in late 2016.

"Extending the custom character of everything we do to help property owners realise the full value of their investment and relationship with Four Seasons is a top priority for us."

Crawford is charged with the global responsibility for design, construction and procurement, as well as ensuring developing projects are completed. Crawford is also responsible for leading the company’s branded residential properties, which includes more than 4,000 residential units in 17 countries around the world.

"Long-term partnerships with hotel owners are at the core of our business model, and just as each Four Seasons property is unique, so too is each individual hotel owner," says Crawford. "Having a clear eye on the unique vision and objectives of each hotel owner and applying the same level of customisation to these relationships as we do with our guests continues to be a key competitive advantage for Four Seasons."

For more information, visit www.fourseason.com.

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