With more than 100 hotels and resorts already extant across the globe, luxury hotelier Four Seasons is now turning its attention to the proverbial big blue, courtesy of its new maritime subsidiary Four Seasons Yachts. Earlier today, the Canadian hotel group announced it would be partnering with Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri and experience operator Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings to deliver “an unparalleled guest experience at sea” – one that will ostensibly be informed by the same award-winning hospitality Four Seasons is renowned for on dry land.
Led by Larry Pimentel, who has had a longstanding career working with luxury cruise lines including Azamara and Seabourn, Four Seasons’ new initiative will receive its first vessel in late 2025, with the option for another two at a total cost of €$1.2 billion (AU$1.79 billion).
The inaugural 14-deck yacht will house 95 suites, many of which may be combined into “adaptable, villa-like residences.” Entry-level room categories begin at 581 square feet, although Four Seasons spokespeople have stated that half the total number of rooms onboard will offer a combined total square footage nearly 1.5 times bigger than that.
RELATED: Sydney’s Porter House Hotel Is The Latest Luxury Property From MGallery Collection
The vessel’s crowning glory will be the Funnel Suite: a multi-storey affair that combines indoor and outdoor living spaces, such as a private spa area, for a total area of 9,601 square feet – an embarrassment of riches that obviates the need for one to even set foot within the vessel’s many dining outlets, beauty salon, or spa.
“We are creating a new category of luxury lifestyle travel that appeals to discerning guests,” said Pimentel.
“Bringing together the very best across industries to create the pinnacle yachting offering through world-class design, curated experience, and truly exceptional service.”
While details about the wider Four Seasons luxury yachts program remain forthcoming, it’s evident that the iconic hotelier is looking to compete directly with The Ritz-Carlton, one of Marriott International’s leading luxury brands. The latter, through the eponymous Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, intends to field its own signature hotel experience at sea; with the debut of its inaugural Evrima vessel nearly three years behind schedule.
