Openings
Opening 2029

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro

Brand's return to Brazil, transforming the Marina Palace in Leblon

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

First look

Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro is set to transform the Marina Palace, locally known as the Marinao, in the Leblon neighbourhood, with around 120 keys and a 2029 opening that marks the brand's return to Brazil. Reworking an existing landmark rather than building new gives the project a known quantity to start from, and Leblon is among Rio's most desirable beachfront districts. The roughly 120-key scale keeps it on the intimate side for a city hotel.

We have not stayed, and with a 2029 target this is a long way out, so treat it as anticipation. What we will be watching for is how the conversion of an existing tower handles the room layouts and views, and how Four Seasons positions a returning Brazilian flagship. On paper, a Leblon beachfront address is a strong foundation for the brand's re-entry.

Not yet scored. We publish a Fat Score only once a hotel is open and real guests have stayed and written about it — this is a first look, not a verdict.

Open now

What you can book today

Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeirois still under wraps. Here's what's already open and scored in our collection — more from Four Seasons, and nearby in Brazil.

Four Seasons Bora Bora — Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Fat Approved

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Bora Bora

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Four Seasons Bora Bora occupies one of the most dramatic natural settings on the planet — 100 overwater bungalows strung across two pontoons in a turquoise lagoon with Mount Otemanu as a backdrop — and on that dimension, it simply cannot be beaten. The bungalows themselves are the largest in Bora Bora, with glass floors, open-air showers, and direct lagoon access that make waking up here feel genuinely surreal. Where the property falls short of its price tag is in the consistency of the details: maintenance lapses (spiderwebs in the villas, aging spa facilities, occasional mold complaints) and uneven service suggest a property that coasts somewhat on the grandeur of its setting rather than obsessing over the full luxury stack. Dining lands above average for the region — the breakfast buffet and Ari Moana Mediterranean restaurant draw consistent praise — though food in French Polynesia broadly disappoints, and pricing is aggressive even by island standards. Against local competitors, Four Seasons edges out the St. Regis on grounds, room quality, and mountain views, though St. Regis counters with stronger marine life and sharper service. For couples and honeymooners willing to accept some roughness around the edges in exchange for the most jaw-dropping overwater address in the Pacific, this remains the right choice.

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Four Seasons Bosphorus — Istanbul, Turkey
Fat Approved

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Bosphorus

Istanbul, Turkey

The Four Seasons Bosphorus occupies one of Istanbul's most coveted waterfront positions, delivering spectacular views that make even seasoned luxury travelers stop mid-sentence. The architecture and public spaces achieve genuine grandeur — this is palatial hospitality done right, with spacious rooms that maximize those famous strait vistas. However, service inconsistency prevents this property from reaching its full potential. While some guests develop genuine relationships with staff over multiple visits, others encounter the kind of uneven attention that shouldn't exist at this price point, particularly noticeable in the breakfast service where efficiency lags behind the setting's promise.

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Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva — Geneva, Switzerland
Fat Favorite

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva's most storied address, the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues has occupied its lakefront perch since 1834 — the original meeting place of the United Nations — and the bones show it beautifully: frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and gilded moldings that no amount of modern luxury hotel construction can replicate. The renovation has been handled with a deft hand, layering in a refined contemporary interior without stripping the building of its Neoclassical soul, and the lakeside suites (rooms 110, 210, 310 in particular, per Condé Nast) are among the finest in the city. Izumi, the Japanese rooftop restaurant, earns consistent praise as a destination in its own right, and the bar — anchored by bartender Nicolas — has developed a reputation for serious cocktail craft that punches well above the average hotel bar. The property's one credible weakness is inconsistency in lobby and café service: multiple independent reviewers report slow, occasionally dismissive floor staff in those casual spaces, which jars against the otherwise polished concierge team and housekeeping (daily small gifts in rooms is a signature touch). At these rates and in this city, that inconsistency is the only thing keeping this from a nine.

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Four Seasons Hotel Firenze — Florence, Italy
Fat Favorite

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Florence, Italy

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.

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From the desk

Get the first-look verdict

We publish our verdict the week Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro opens. Get it in the monthly note, before the rest of the internet catches up.

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