Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Checks in at the Top in Latest Zagat Hotel Guide

Luxury Hotel Company Ranked Number One in North America

Press Release
SOURCE: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
November 17, 2000
TORONTO, ONT -- When it comes to providing the ultimate luxury hotel experience, voters in the new Zagat Survey 2001 Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas agree -- Four Seasons is tops. The company reaped four of the six major awards in the survey, including Top Hotel Chain, Top Hotel, Top Resort and Top Hotel Spa. As well, 15 of the Survey's Top 50 Hotels and seven of the Top 50 Resorts are Four Seasons properties, rated best for rooms, service, dining and public facilities. Since the inception of the Zagat Hotel Guide in 1987, Four Seasons has consistently ranked at the very top of the survey, with more hotels named to the prestigious list than any other hotel chain or management company.

``We are delighted to receive this recognition from Zagat because we know that the Surveys are truly a reflection of what our guests think,'' commented Isadore Sharp, Chairman and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. ``More and more, our guests are seeking high-quality, luxury hospitality experiences that include personal touches, and intuitive, intelligent and kind service. The Zagat survey rankings confirm for us that we are exceeding those expectations.''

First Place Finish

Topping the list of best U.S. hotels is Four Seasons Hotel New York, a market leader in the city since its opening in 1993. The Zagat ranking for the landmark I.M Pei Art Deco building, featuring stunning cityscape views and gracious style, is the latest in an impressive list of awards and accolades garnered by the hotel. With a score of 28 out of a possible 30, survey participants viewed the hotel as a ``masterpiece of modern elegance'' with ``sheets like butter'' and an experience that's simply ``top notch''.

Respondents also ranked Four Seasons as their number one choice for the perfect vacation or getaway. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu was twice honored, rating as the Top Resort, with an impressive score of 29 out of a possible 30, and the Top Hotel Spa.

Other top-ranked properties include Four Seasons Hotel Chicago (number two on the Top 50 Hotels list), Las Vegas, The Ritz Carlton Chicago (a Four Seasons hotel), Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, Newport Beach, Austin, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, The Regent Beverly Wilshire, and New York (The Pierre). Four Seasons Resorts in Wailea, Aviara (Carlsbad, CA), Palm Beach, Scottsdale, Dallas and Santa Barbara scored high on the resort list.

The Zagat Survey 2001 Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas is based on the ratings and reviews of 19,600 frequent travelers, including 900 travel industry professionals. The survey included 1,650 hotels, and resorts, 180 spas and 73 hotel companies. The 800 highest rated hotels, resorts and spas are featured in the 2001 survey. The Zagat Hotel Guide honours are the latest in a series of major ranking and reader polls which have honored Four Seasons, including AAA Five Diamond Awards, Conde Nast Traveler, Institutional Investor, Travel & Leisure, Gourmet, and Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report. As with the Zagat rankings, more Four Seasons hotels and resorts were named once again named this year than any other hotel company.

For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Pizzinato
Director, Corporate Public Relations
FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS
416-441-4335
epizzinato@fourseasons.com
SOURCE: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts