Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is not owned by another hotel chain, but is a private entity primarily owned by Bill Gates’ Cascade Investment LLC (71.25%) and Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding Company (23.75%), with founder Isadore Sharp holding a 5% stake. It operates as an independent luxury brand, with the majority stake held by Cascade Investment since 2021.
Since 2007, Bill Gates (through Cascade Investment) and Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal (through Kingdom Holding Company) have been majority owners of the company. As of January 2022, Gates-controlled Cascade Investment owns 71.25% and Alwaleed-controlled Kingdom Holding Company owns 23.75% of Four Seasons.
The short answer is no — Four Seasons and Marriott are completely separate hotel companies. Each has its own distinct identity, brands, and booking experiences. However, both offer exclusive perks through luxury travel advisor programs, including complimentary upgrades, breakfast, and resort credits.
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) offers a diverse portfolio of 19 hotel brands, categorized into Luxury & Lifestyle (like Six Senses, Regent, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo), Premium (voco, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza), Essentials (Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, avid), Suites (Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Atwell Suites), and Exclusive Partners (Iberostar, Vignette Collection), catering to various traveler needs from wellness escapes to budget-friendly stays, all part of their IHG One Rewards loyalty program.
The current company was founded in 1983, when the previous owners sold the Ritz-Carlton brand name and the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. The brand was subsequently expanded to other locations. The company is currently a subsidiary of Marriott International.
The biggest hotel chain in the UK is Premier Inn, owned by Whitbread, leading by a significant margin in number of rooms and locations, offering budget-friendly, consistent quality accommodation with over 800 hotels across the country and beyond, making it the dominant force in the UK hotel market.
The former luxury hotel has sat empty since Four Seasons' lease was not renewed in 2020 amid a dispute between Cadillac Fairview and the hotelier about the condition of the property, according to multiple reports. Crews have begun the demolition from the rooftop downward, Daily Hive reported.
What did the Four Seasons Hotel used to be called?
In 1970, Inn on the Park London (later renamed Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane) opened, right at the start of the transatlantic jet-travel boom.
Four Seasons does not offer a traditional points-based loyalty program. Instead, guests can access VIP benefits—like daily breakfast, upgrade on arrival, and resort credits—through select luxury travel advisors via the Four Seasons Preferred Partner program.
The Marriott 15/5 Rule is a customer service guideline where staff acknowledge guests with eye contact and a nod within 15 feet, and offer a verbal greeting (like "Hello" or "Good morning") when the guest is within 5 feet, aiming to make every guest feel seen, valued, and welcomed throughout their stay. This standard procedure is a core part of Marriott's hospitality culture, ensuring consistent, personalized connections.
Yes, Bill Gates' investment firm, Cascade Investment, owns a majority controlling stake in Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, having acquired a significant portion from Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal's Kingdom Holding Company in a deal that closed in 2022. Bill Gates first invested in the company in 1997, and Cascade now holds about 71.25% ownership, with Kingdom Holding retaining 23.75%.
Now 93, with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, Sharp transformed Four Seasons from a single motor inn on Toronto's sketchiest street into the world's most prestigious hotel brand.
Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) primarily lived at Villa Guardamangia in Malta between 1949 and 1951, the only home she ever had outside the UK, while Prince Philip served as a Royal Navy officer. She also stayed at other locations, including The Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta, for receptions during later state visits.
Marriott is the largest hotel company in the world by number of rooms, with a whopping 1.5 million rooms in its portfolio. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, the company operates over 8,700 properties and 36 brands in 141 countries. In 2023, its annual revenue was 23.7 billion USD, a 14% increase from 2022.
The hotel with over 7,000 rooms is the First World Hotel in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, holding the Guinness World Record as the world's largest hotel by room count, featuring 7,351 rooms across three towers and offering extensive shopping, dining, and entertainment, including indoor theme parks.
