Synonymous with the highest levels of service, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is a worldwide hospitality brand. In total, there are 133 properties in 47 countries around the country. There are also more than 60 projects under planning or in development. But did you know this instantly recognizable brand began in Toronto?
“The first Four Seasons hotel opened in 1961 as a modest motor hotel in downtown Toronto,” shares Patrick Pollak, general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. “In 1963, Four Seasons opened its second hotel, Toronto’s Inn on the Park, perched on a hill above hectares of parkland, and home to one of the city’s top restaurants. The brand’s corporate headquarters is still located near the former Inn on the Park property.”
We recently spoke with Mr. Pollak to learn more about how this household name has made its mark on the hospitality industry and Toronto.
Tell us a little bit more about the story behind the brand.
The story of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is a tale of endless innovation, extraordinary expansion, and a dedication to the highest of standards. Ever since the beginning, the first hotel (in Toronto) showed the hallmark of Four Seasons – a more personal style of service. As we continue to grow globally, service remains the consistent theme that propels us forward. For 60 years, we have transformed the hospitality industry by combining personalized, genuine care with an unwavering commitment to excellence, redefining luxury for the modern traveler.
According to our Founder and Chairman, Mr. Isadore Sharp, defining and enforcing the company culture was one of four key strategic decisions made in the formative years of Four Seasons history. Since the brand’s inception, the fundamentals of our culture have been based on the Golden Rule – to treat others as you wish to be treated. This is still at the core of everything we do today.
Other key decisions included a focus on managing only medium-sized hotels of exceptional quality, to manage, rather than own, the hotels, and to make service the brand’s distinguishing edge.
Love is core to our DNA, and influences everything we do. It is what makes Four Seasons different and unique from other luxury businesses. It is rooted in the genuine heart of our people, and it is meaningful acts of love that set us apart and is the reason why our service and hospitality can’t be replicated by anyone else. While Four Seasons is known for its unparalleled luxury, we strive to create an experience that is thoughtful and personalized. It is true luxury that creates a significant sense of belonging, defined by humanity and generosity.
Is the current Four Seasons Hotel Toronto the original hotel?
The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is a new build, having opened its doors in October 2012. The hotel was located just down the street at its previous Avenue Road address from 1978 to 2012, and there are certain views from the existing hotel that overlook its former location.
While the locations and structures have changed over time, what remains is the commitment to delivering exceptional service, quality and care for guests.
How would you describe the Toronto hotel?
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, the global flagship property, is the city’s premier luxury hotel, and the standard of luxury service in Toronto. We recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of our guest rooms and suites, inspired by the city’s unique juxtaposition of urban sophistication and natural beauty. Located in the heart of the historic Yorkville neighborhood, a warm Canadian welcome framed by spacious, modern design awaits.
Tell us about the design.
The renovation design inspiration reflects colors and textures that celebrate the distinctly Canadian surrounding landscape, while furniture designs and surface patterns bring forth the energizing asymmetry found in the natural world. Local artists play a pivotal role in the aesthetic narrative of the renovated rooms and suites. Works by Canadian artists such as Emma Enright, Dahae Song, Deborah Moss, and Andrea Soos adorn the walls, adding a distinctive touch of regional flair to the guest experience.
Offering rich history, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto sets the stage for guests to appreciate art and culture. The hotel is home to more than 1,700 original art pieces created by Canadian artists displayed throughout the property, serving as an art gallery showcasing local creativity around every corner.
The design of a dandelion motif has been intricately woven throughout the hotel leading all the way up to the Royal Suite. This symbolizes the granting of wishes – the possibility that if a guest whispers a wish, it will be granted at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto.
What are some of the amenities?
The Spa at Four Seasons Toronto remains the largest urban spa in the Four Seasons portfolio, spanning more than 30,000 square feet (2,800 square metres). It is home to the all-new state-of-the-art Wellness & Bio Bar, 18 treatment rooms, a hair and nail bar, an indoor pool, a hot tub, a 3,500-square-foot gym (325 square meters), and a seasonal outdoor terrace.
The new address also introduced celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s cuisine to Toronto with two restaurants: Café Boulud and d|bar by Chef Daniel Boulud.
How did the city of Toronto shape the brand?
Despite its roots being planted in Canada, the Four Seasons’ reach extends far beyond the city of Toronto. Now recognized as a global leader in luxury hospitality, Toronto has played a pivotal role in the development and success of the brand. Toronto is where Four Seasons was born, and this property is at the heart of the brand’s continued innovation and success. Despite its start in Toronto, its the company’s global expansion that really put the brand on the map, with the city serving as a model for future hotels. The emphasis on local culture and personalized service became a staple in Four Seasons properties worldwide.
The city’s status as a financial and cultural center has always attracted high-profile guests, providing the brand with valuable exposure and establishing its reputation among discerning elite global travelers.
How has the hotel changed along with the city of Toronto?
Toronto will always be the home of Four Seasons – it’s where our story began, and where our legacy continues. The Toronto property has evolved over the years, with its multiple addresses and increased awareness of the brand globally. Over time, we have also experienced a change in the way Torontonians have grown more sophisticated in their taste. Over the years, and alongside the transformation of Yorkville and elevated pulse around fine dining culture, the hotel has become one of the city’s go-to destinations for its restaurants and spa.
How has the city changed over the years?
Over the years, the city of Toronto has experienced a major increase in population as well as economic growth, evolving into a vibrant, multicultural metropolis. It is the largest city in Canada and one of North America’s leaders in business, finance, technology, entertainment, and culture. Toronto has a large population of established immigrants, making it one of the most diverse cities in the world. This has brought with it an increased sophistication and evolution to the city’s food scene as part of its cultural fabric. Landmark institutions such as the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) have also gained prominence worldwide, reflecting our flourishing arts scene. Overall, Toronto has transformed into a dynamic urban center with global influence, characterized by its cultural richness, and economic diversity, shaping its identity as a world-class city.
Hero image: All Images courtesy of ©Four Seasons Hotels Limited
