Side-by-side
Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor vs Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
A direct comparison across five dimensions: Service, Design, Location, Dining, and Wellness. Scored from signals across luxury travel communities, editorial publications, and verified guests.
Scoreboard
| Dimension | Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor | Four Seasons Hotel Firenze |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Fat Score | 8.6 | 8.7Wins |
| Service | 8.9 | 9.2 |
| Design | 8.7 | 9.4 |
| Location | 8.2 | 8.0 |
| Dining | 8.4 | 8.5 |
| Wellness | 8.3 | 8.8 |
The Verdicts
Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor
Hotel Formentor's rebirth under the Four Seasons flag is one of the most compelling luxury openings in Europe in recent years — a property with genuine historical soul (the original hotel opened in 1929, has its own Netflix documentary, and hosted everyone from Churchill to Grace Kelly) now matched with full FS operational firepower. The service is the standout: staff imported from Four Seasons properties worldwide, deeply personalized touches — guests greeted by name in their preferred language, sommeliers offering off-menu pours they think you'd enjoy, elaborate birthday gestures that reportedly made grown adults cry at checkout. Shima, the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, is legitimately exceptional and would hold its own in any major city. The tradeoff is one of the most polarizing locations in luxury travel: the Formentor peninsula is spectacular, but the single access road — choked with tour buses and packs of cyclists — makes leaving a genuine ordeal, and with only two dinner venues, longer stays risk monotony. Come for four nights or fewer, or plan your itinerary around the hotel boat to Port Pollença, and this becomes one of the Mediterranean's finest resort experiences.
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Four Seasons Firenze delivers an extraordinary sanctuary experience that transforms Florence stays from sightseeing marathons into restorative retreats. The former Palazzo Gherardesca sits on eleven acres of private gardens — Florence's largest — creating an oasis that completely insulates guests from the city's tourist chaos while remaining just minutes from the Duomo. The Renaissance architecture is breathtaking, with frescoed ceilings, manicured courtyards, and a pool that feels impossibly grand for a city hotel. Service operates at the highest Four Seasons standard, with staff who remember names, anticipate needs, and deliver those small touches that separate luxury from true hospitality. While the location requires a 10-minute walk or shuttle to reach central attractions, this proves more blessing than burden — you return each evening to serenity rather than noise.
Strengths & trade-offs
Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor
Strengths
- Deeply personalized service that anticipates preferences before guests voice them — language, wine, dietary habits all quietly noted and acted on
- Shima (Japanese-Peruvian) is a genuinely world-class restaurant, not merely a resort amenity
- Spectacular natural setting within Formentor National Park — wild pine forests, cliffs, and crystal-clear Mediterranean water
- Fully renovated with fresh, elegant rooms, thoughtfully integrated art program, and a relaxed-luxurious atmosphere that avoids feeling sterile
- Exceptional family experience: warmth for children without ever tipping into 'children's resort' territory
Trade-offs
- The access road through the Formentor peninsula is genuinely brutal — cyclists, tour buses, and narrow lanes make leaving the resort a stressful 30+ minute commitment
- Only two dinner restaurants on property; stays beyond four nights risk dining fatigue
- Hotel boat to Port Pollença is a smart escape valve but books up fast and wasn't yet running full regular service during 2025 season
- Minor teething issues persist from the recent opening: AC inconsistencies, tech glitches, occasional luggage delays — not ruinous, but noticeable at this price point
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Strengths
- Eleven-acre Renaissance gardens create urban sanctuary
- Exceptional Four Seasons service with personal touches
- Historic Palazzo Gherardesca architecture with frescoes
- Largest city hotel pool in Florence
- Michelin-starred Il Palagio restaurant on property
Trade-offs
- Ten-minute walk to city center requires planning
- Premium pricing reflects resort amenities over location