The results are in - Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is, once again, the top choice for travelers in the United States. In the 2003 Zagat Survey of Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts and Spas, released today, the company was awarded the number one hotel chain and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu, Hawaii, was named top resort.

Using Zagat’s signature 30-point scale, surveyors rated hotel chains, as well as hotels, resorts and spas separately for their rooms, service, dining and public spaces/facilities. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts scored 28 points out of 30 to claim the top spot. The findings underscore the position of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as the world’s leading luxury hotel company, known for providing anticipatory, personalized service throughout its 56 properties worldwide.

“This is truly an honour and one which we are proud to have earned,” said Wolf Hengst, president, worldwide hotel operations, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Four Seasons strives to be the best hotel in every location where we operate, and to be recognized in this manner by the participants in the Zagat Survey is a testament to our employees around the world, who make every effort to deliver personalized, intuitive service, consistently.”

Results of the survey were based on the ratings and reviews of more than 7,000 frequent travelers, including approximately 675 travel industry professionals.

“Our surveyors once again ranked Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts the best hotel chain because each of its properties offers premiere style and out-of-this-world service,” said Tim Zagat, CEO and Co-Chair of Zagat Survey. “The traveling public knows that the Four Seasons brand guarantees an incredible, luxury hotel experience.”
Along with being named the U.S.‘s leading hotel chain, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts also garnered these distinctions in the survey:

Top Resorts - Five of the top 10 resorts in the country are Four Seasons properties:
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu, Hawaii / Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii / Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Scottsdale, Arizona / Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas / Four Seasons Resort Aviara, North San Diego

Top 10 Hotels - Six of the top 10 hotels listed in the Survey were represented by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago / The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel) / Four Seasons Hotel New York / Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco / Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia /
Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Top Newcomers - Among the many new spots opened this year, Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco was named one of the top newcomers.

With a history spanning four decades and a portfolio that now extends around the world, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels, currently managing 56 properties in 25 countries. In 2002, the company opened its second property in Tokyo, in the heart of Marunouchi district, as well as properties in Shanghai and Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts continues to expand, with over 20 projects in development stages in choice locations around the world. Four Seasons has claimed first position on many prestigious lists. Recent honours include top ranking in the J.D. Powers Guest Satisfaction Survey and AAA Five Diamond awards (receiving more than other any hotel company for the 21st consecutive year). Information on the company and its 41 years of achievement in the hospitality industry can be accessed through the Four Seasons Web site at www.fourseasons.com

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