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Isadore Sharp, a young architect, opened his first hotel in Toronto, Canada, in 1960, marking the beginning of the history of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. One of the most prominent hotel chains in the world was founded on the tiny 125-room motel. Sharp dedicated all of his savings to this endeavor because he was motivated by the thought of making a warm and inviting space for visitors. The original Four Seasons hotel introduced revolutionary features, including individual air conditioning units and 24-hour room service, which were state-of-the-art features then.

The corporation began to expand outside of Toronto in the 1970s. The chain’s second hotel opened in London, England, in 1970. This marked a critical turning point in the brand’s global development. Attracting celebrities and the city’s elite business community, the Inn on the Park in London swiftly established itself as one of the best hotels in the area.

Another significant choice was made in the 1970s when the company shifted its concentration from owning real estate to operating only exclusive hotels. With this methodology, the business grew faster and focused on enhancing customer service.

The brand maintained its expansion in the 1980s, launching additional hotels in important American and European cities. When the business went public in 1986, it raised more money for growth. At this time, the chain also started operating resort hotels; in 1990, it opened its first resort in Maui, Hawaii.

The 1990s saw tremendous expansion for the enterprise. As part of its expansion into Asia, the business opened hotels in Tokyo, Bali, and other strategic places. The brand acquired Regent International Hotels in 1992, greatly improving its standing in the Asian market.

When it opened in 1997, the Resort Aviara in California became the company’s first wholly-owned resort. This initiative showcased the firm’s proficiency in overseeing and acquiring opulent resorts.

More growth occurred in the early 2000s. The business established hotels in far-flung locales like the Serengeti, Bora Bora, and the Maldives. The chain opened a hotel in Doha, Qatar, in 2006, marking its entry into the Middle Eastern market.

The corporation’s ownership structure underwent a major shift in 2007. It became a private corporation after being acquired by Isadore Sharp, Bill Gates, and Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal through their joint venture, Cascade Investment. As a result, the chain was able to concentrate on long-term growth free from shareholder pressure.

The hotel group continued its growth throughout the 2010s, adding hotels in many nations and areas. In 2012, the firm opened the Hotel Lion Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, housed in the famed Lobanov-Rostovsky House. This was the company’s first hotel in Russia.

2015, the group introduced its private aircraft for opulent global travel. Thanks to this creative idea, which connected multiple hotels across the globe, the chain was able to provide its customers with an exceptional travel experience.

The 100th hotel in the network, the Hotel One Dalton Street in Boston, USA, opened its doors in 2018. This occasion marked a significant turning point in the firm’s history and illustrated its ongoing expansion and improvement.

Several new hotels debuted in esteemed settings in 2019. Among them was the Hotel and Private Residences Montreal, which quickly became one of Canada’s most wealthy lodging establishments. In addition, the city’s highest skyscraper, the Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, debuted.

To further solidify its position in the Asian market, the group opened the Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River that same year. Situated along the river, this hotel rose to prominence in Bangkok.

Despite global challenges, multiple new properties opened in 2020. These included the company’s second hotel in the Japanese capital, the Hotel Tokyo in Otemachi, and its expansion into one of the most important American cities, the Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero.

The Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans opened in 2021 as part of the firm’s ongoing growth. This project increased the firm’s foothold in the southern United States and became the brand’s first hotel in New Orleans.

Additionally, the business revealed plans to introduce Yachts in 2021, marking a shift in the premium cruise sector. This project, slated to be implemented in 2025, was intended to give customers a distinctive sea travel experience and increase the firm’s service offerings.

The group began operating its first hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2022, and it has since spread to other significant American cities. One of the most prominent hotels in the city, the Hotel and Private Residences Nashville, rose to prominence quite fast.

That year, the business released an upgraded version of its mobile app, giving customers more options for customizing their experiences and enhancing their stay.

In 2023, several historic projects were opened. Among these were the Hotel Suzhou in China, which continued the company’s expansion into the Asian market, and the Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar, which enhanced the brand’s standing in the Middle East.

The same year, the group revealed intentions to increase its market share in the resort real estate sector by launching several new residential developments in well-liked travel locations.

The brand has remained committed to its core values of providing guests with outstanding service and unforgettable experiences. The organization persists in broadening its global reach by inaugurating novel hotels and resorts in esteemed locales while upholding elevated benchmarks of excellence and customized attention for every visitor.