When Isadore Sharp opened a single hotel in Toronto back in 1961, he couldn’t have imagined the global hospitality empire that would emerge six decades later. Today, as Four Seasons celebrates its 65th anniversary, the luxury brand isn’t just reflecting on its storied past: it’s charting an ambitious course for the future with a strategic expansion that will reshape the landscape of luxury hospitality worldwide.
For food and beverage professionals, hospitality managers, and industry leaders watching the evolution of premium travel experiences, Four Seasons’ 2026 roadmap offers a masterclass in balancing heritage with innovation.
A Legacy Built on Service Excellence
“This milestone year marks both a proud legacy and a clear path forward,” says Alejandro Reynal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons. “Our strength comes from staying true to our values: service excellence and genuine care: while growing intentionally and innovating with purpose. That balance is what will continue to guide Four Seasons for decades to come.”
The numbers speak volumes. Four Seasons now operates 135 hotels and resorts and 61 residences across 47 countries: a remarkable footprint for a brand that has steadfastly refused to dilute its identity through aggressive, unfocused expansion. With approximately 60 additional projects at various stages of development, the company is entering 2026 from a position of unprecedented strength.
What sets Four Seasons apart in the crowded luxury hospitality space? According to Reynal, it’s the deeply embedded culture that has remained consistent since day one.
“Personalized service, delivered with warmth and authenticity, is our most enduring advantage,” Reynal explains. “Our deeply embedded culture has enabled Four Seasons to expand, evolve, and inspire guests across generations.”
Strategic Expansion Across Key Global Markets
Unlike brands that chase quantity over quality, Four Seasons’ expansion strategy is laser-focused on destinations where the company can genuinely elevate the local luxury offering. Here’s what hospitality professionals should watch for in 2026 and beyond:
The Americas: Heritage Meets Modern Luxury
Building on the success of 2025 openings: including Naples Beach Club and Four Seasons Resort Puerto Rico: the brand continues its American expansion with Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena. This Colombian project will transform colonial and Beaux-Arts landmarks into a vibrant luxury experience right on the doorstep of the historic walled city.
Perhaps most anticipated is the reopening of Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, bringing back a beloved coastal landmark with refreshed design and elevated guest experiences. The property has long been a beacon for food and beverage excellence on the California coast.
Looking further ahead, Four Seasons will enter new U.S. destinations including Charleston while expanding its Mountain Collection with projects in Telluride and Deer Valley: signaling serious intent in the luxury ski resort segment. The brand is also marking its return to Brazil with a new luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro at Leblon Beach.
Europe: Celebrating Cultural Heritage
Four Seasons’ European strategy celebrates each destination’s unique history. In Italy, Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel, Venice will unveil a legendary Venetian landmark with restored Gothic grandeur overlooking the surrounding waters. This property represents exactly the kind of heritage restoration that distinguishes Four Seasons from competitors.
Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos will become the company’s second property in Greece, bringing contemporary luxury to one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic destinations. And just in time for winter 2026, The Park Gstaad, A Four Seasons Hotel will introduce the brand’s signature service to the Swiss Alps with refined alpine luxury: and the elevated F&B programming that discerning travelers expect.
Middle East: The Growth Epicenter
Saudi Arabia sits at the center of Four Seasons’ Middle East expansion, with three significant projects underway:
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island – Introducing unparalleled service to this new beachfront luxury destination
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA at Triple Bay – A one-of-a-kind wellness resort experience along the Red Sea
- Four Seasons Hotel Madinah – Blending modern comfort with spiritual heritage near the Prophet’s Mosque
For hospitality executives tracking emerging luxury markets, the Saudi Arabian developments represent some of the most ambitious hospitality projects currently underway globally. Similar to trends we’ve covered in Six Senses’ portfolio expansion, these properties are redefining what’s possible in destination luxury.
Asia Pacific: Vietnam Debut
Four Seasons Hotel Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake marks the brand’s debut in Vietnam’s capital. Set beside one of the city’s most revered landmarks, the hotel will blend contemporary design with cultural heritage, creating a refined urban retreat and gateway to Hanoi’s renowned culinary scene.
Redefining Experiential Travel: Yachts, Jets, and Beyond
Four Seasons isn’t just building hotels: it’s creating entirely new categories of luxury travel experience.
Four Seasons Yachts Set Sail
Four Seasons I will set sail in 2026, introducing an elevated expression of the brand at sea. The yacht’s inaugural voyages will span iconic destinations and exclusive ports across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Adriatic. For food and beverage directors considering partnerships or benchmarking opportunities, this represents a fascinating evolution of culinary programming in the ultra-luxury travel segment.
Private Jet Experience Continues to Soar
The Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, beloved by guests for more than 10 years, continues adding new itineraries and destinations. The program achieves exceptional guest satisfaction and fosters a deeply loyal community, driving some of the highest repeat rates in the hospitality industry.
Multi-Property Curated Itineraries
New multi-property itineraries launching in Bali, Spain, and Mexico offer highly curated, locally guided journeys designed to create deeper, more authentic connections to each destination. These collections will expand as Four Seasons continues growing its portfolio in key markets: a trend aligned with broader hospitality predictions for 2026.
The Residential Revolution
Four Seasons continues to lead the branded residential sector with a portfolio blending home comfort with intuitive care, exceptional design, and personalized service. The numbers are striking: 65 percent of the development pipeline includes a residential component.
Recent and upcoming residential openings include properties in Istanbul, Bahrain Bay, Puerto Rico, Mumbai, and expanded offerings in Orlando. The company is also growing its portfolio of standalone Private Residences: delivering Four Seasons care outside traditional hotel or resort settings.
Upcoming standalone residences include:
- Washington, DC
- Dubai International Financial Centre
- Abu Dhabi at Saadiyat Beach
- Las Vegas
- Coconut Grove, Miami
Each project is crafted in collaboration with leading architects and designers, offering distinctive residences complemented by curated amenities and tailored experiences.
What This Means for Hospitality Professionals
Four Seasons’ 65th-anniversary expansion strategy offers several key takeaways for food and beverage managers, hospitality executives, and industry leaders:
- Heritage properties still command premium positioning – The restoration of landmarks like Danieli in Venice demonstrates enduring demand for historically significant experiences
- Experiential travel is the growth frontier – Yachts, private jets, and multi-property itineraries represent high-margin opportunities
- Residential integration strengthens overall portfolios – The 65% residential pipeline figure signals where luxury hospitality is heading
- Regional focus beats global scatter – Strategic concentration in emerging markets like Saudi Arabia yields better results than unfocused expansion
As the hospitality industry continues evolving, Four Seasons’ disciplined approach: backed by majority shareholder Cascade Investment, L.L.C., Kingdom Holding Company, and Founder Isadore Sharp: provides a blueprint for sustainable luxury growth.
What expansion trends are you seeing in your market? Share your observations in the comments below, and stay tuned to Food & Beverage Magazine for continued coverage of the hospitality industry’s most significant developments.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
