Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

- for families

-luxury and prestige, yes, but this elite brand also works hard to be a family hotel

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Four Seasons has luxury hotels and resorts around the world; for some guests, only the Four Seasons will do. Devotees rave about service, service, service, and the little touches and extra pampering. Fortunately for these addicted (in a nice way) travelers, Four Seasons properties do cater to families, and the service and special touches carry over for family vacationers.

Each resort offers a complimentary "Kids For All Seasons" program; there are also complimentary baby furnishings and toiletries (-- see details for a sample resort, below.) Families will find separate kids' pools and play areas, and a concierge who can suggest the right outings and also arrange for babysitters. In peak seasons, some properties have a Four Seasons Teen Concierge.

As with most hotels, kids 18 and under stay free in parents' room.

Four Seasons for Families: Sample Amenities and Services:

Four Seasons Maui at Wailea

The Four Seasons Maui is a popular resort, on a Hawaiian island that readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine voted "Best Island in the World". Families will find:

• welcome gift for kids
• child-sized bathrobes
• complimentary baby and children’s toiletries (baby shampoo, baby powder, etc.)
• kids' menus in restaurants and in-room dining

And, on request (and subject to availability):

• items to childproof guest rooms
• crib(s) and/or rollaway bed(s)
• other complimentary baby furnishings such as high chairs and bottle warmers
• use of DVD library

An outrigger-canoe program is complimentary, as are basketball, board games, croquet, putting green, tennis, volleyball, games room with foosball, ping-pong, pool tables, shuffleboard, video games. (For an extra charge, guests can try boogie boards, kayaks, snorkel gear, hobie cats.)

For ages 5 to 12, complimentary Kids for All Seasons program has indoor and outdoor activities (hula classes, sand-castles, visit to tidepools, etc.) Teen programs may be available seasonally.

Some Four Seasons resorts are even more lavish with the kiddie goodies: cookies on arrival, "Little Swimmers" diapers (a requirement for the swimming pools), complimentary use of video game units, stuffed animals, beach toys and bath toys.

Where to Find Four Seasons Resorts

Check the Four Seasons map to find the many resorts world-wide. Four Seasons has five resorts in Hawaii (including two on the tiny island of Lanai).

The Caribbean is not a focal point, but you will find a Four Seasons on the tiny island of Nevis, with lots for kids and teens; and this resort often wins the AAA Five-Diamond rating. (See Four Seasons Nevis) Also, in the Bahamas Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay has a nice set of amenities for kids.

Florida has a couple of Four Seasons Resorts, as do some great North American cities, such as New York, DC, Boston; and southern California has a cluster of properties. Skiers will like the Four Seasons at Whistler BC, or Jackson Hole WY.

International travelers can find many Four Seasons hotels and resorts, and not just in the usual top spots like London and Paris; fans are especially in luck in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

* Always check web site for updated info!)