Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver Is Closing
Well, this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to anyone. As per a recent press release, The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is Closing as of January 31, 2020. Here are the full details from corporate office:
- 5x points on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays
- 2x points on everything else
- 5x points on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays
- 3x points on travel, dining & gas
- 2x points on everything else
Four Seasons is concluding its management of Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, effective January 31, 2020. Four Seasons manages the Hotel under a long-term lease agreement with the property’s landlord, Cadillac Fairview Corporation; the current term of the lease expires in 2020, and will not be renewed.
Four Seasons has managed the Hotel since its opening more than 40 years ago. Since that time, the Hotel has established a reputation for excellence, most recently receiving a Five Star designation in the 2018 Forbes Travel Guide, one of just six Canadian hotels to do so. The Hotel has also earned an honoured place in the community as a founding sponsor of the annual Terry Fox Run for the past 37 years, contributing to the CAD 750 million globally that has been raised for cancer research in Terry’s name.
Until Four Seasons ceases management, it is business as usual and employees will continue to provide the same legendary service guests have come to expect from Four Seasons.
This announcement comes just months after their landlord launched a lawsuit against the hotel for failing to maintain standards consistent with other luxury hotels. Essentially, the landlord was claiming:
- Common areas were dated and in desperate need of a renovation
- Rooms were not adequately furnished
- The hotel had failed to maintain a standard consistent with other luxury hotels in Vancouver, such as The Fairmont Pacific Rim or The Rosewood Hotel Georgia
While I agree that The Four Seasons Vancouver rooms are nowhere near the quality and style of some of the newer luxury properties in Vancouver, I disagree that it’s not a 5-star hotel. In my opinion, service is what differentiates a true luxury hotel from the wannabes, and service was beyond compare at this property.
It was pretty clear to see what was happening with this lawsuit. The landlord saw the end of the lease, assumed Four Seasons would be exiting, and tried to get them to pay for some renovations to either:
- Incentivize them to renew the lease
- Spruce up the property for a new tenant
The allegations were not proven in court, and The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is closing on January 31, 2020 when the current lease expires. Until then, it’s business as usual, and I would encourage anyone who was considering a stay to take the plunge, just to experience some of what made this hotel special. Some of my favourite aspects include the unique indoor/outdoor pool, and of course, the legendary Four Seasons bed (no other hotel comes close).
The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is an American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts property, so anyone with a Platinum Card can book a room and receive additional benefits, including a $100USD food/beverage credit, guaranteed late checkout, and daily breakfast for two. It’s not uncommon to see this hotel in the $200 range over winter, which is quite a steal, especially considering the added value by booking through FHR.
Bottom Line – The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver Is Closing
Personally, I’m sad to see this hotel go. For me this property was never about the rooms, but rather the service. I’ve had some great experiences at this hotel, including a recent stay in a Junior Suite and a stay almost two years ago in a Deluxe Room to kick off my crazy 11-day trip around the world.
Personal feelings aside though, I can’t help but think this won’t be good for hotel accommodations in Vancouver. The city is losing 372 rooms in a market that can hardly keep up with the demand as it is (especially during the late spring and summer months). Unless the landlord finds a replacement for February 1 (very doubtful considering the extensive renovations that will need to take place), expect to see price increase at other luxury hotels, including the new JW Marriott Parq and the more established Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.
Four Seasons is committed to reopening in the city, though details are not available and I suspect it will be quite some time before we see a new property. However, when they do re-open, I have no doubt they will be the new premier luxury hotel in Vancouver!
The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is closing. What do you expect will come of the 40+ year old building in one of Vancouver’s best locations come 2020? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Any thoughts on who might move in?
Hey Nathan,
I’m sure the landlord wants a luxury brand, given Pacific Centre is the flagship shopping mall in Vancouver, but it’s going to need a lot of work before anyone moves in.
Pure speculation, but I would guess Ritz-Carlton after a MAJOR overhaul, likely seeing a significant reduction in the number of guest rooms. A Marriott executive was recently quoted as saying there’s a lot of interest in expanding their footprint in Vancouver, but it’s anyone’s guess if he was referring to this property.
How cool would it be to see a Mandarin or Peninsula move in?! Vancouver seems to be a good market for an ultra-luxury hotel.
-Tyler
Sad to see a luxury brand like Four Seasons leave a destination city like Vancouver especially since it was one of only 3 in all of Canada in the first place. I’ve stayed there a bunch of times and even had a family event there this past year. Many aspects of the hotel were amazing from service to YEW but I have to agree the standards of the hotel in some areas weren’t the best. After staying at many FS locations around the world from New York, Maui to Whistler one could argue the rooms looked very dated, that of what a 4 star might offer. Whatever hotel takes over has big shoes to fill my only hope is that it’s a good luxury brand especially since it’ll be over top of Pacific Centre.
Hi Rondo,
I agree with everything you mentioned. I’m very curious to see who moves in, and also wonder where Four Seasons will relocate. I can’t imagine they want to be out of Vancouver for long!
-Tyler
It was Four-Seasons which made the hotel, but it needs the kind of rehabilitation the Hyatt went through about ten years ago. The hotel needs to close and be completely redone. But Cadillac Fairview is a discount company and unwilling to forgo reaping its big dollars so it will be a slap-dash paint job kind of rehab.
I am saddened to hear my favorite hotel is closing!! I wanted to work there so bad! Put my app. in, no luck. I would walk through the lobby and pretend I was a guest. This was when I was in my late teens.
Hi Tyler,
Thank you for this update and I fully agree with you that the Four Seasons has the best service in town. Do you have any current news about about the new Vancouver location for the Four Seasons?