Openings
Opening 2027

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Resort Zanzibar

Brand's second in Tanzania after the Serengeti safari lodge

Pongwe, Tanzania

First look

Four Seasons Resort Zanzibar is reported as a 60-villa property at Pongwe, opening in 2027 as the brand's second address in Tanzania after the Serengeti safari lodge. The all-villa format and modest count point to a low-density beach resort, the natural Indian Ocean counterpart to a safari stay. Pairing a Zanzibar beach resort with the existing Serengeti lodge sets up an obvious bush-and-beach itinerary under one brand.

We have not stayed, so this is anticipation rather than a verdict. What we will be watching for is whether the villas deliver real privacy and beachfront, the things that separate a strong Zanzibar resort from the crowd. On paper, the safari-plus-island combination is the most compelling thing about this one.

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 Resort Zanzibaris still under wraps. Here's what's already open and scored in our collection — more from Four Seasons, and nearby in Tanzania.

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 Resort Zanzibar opens. Get it in the monthly note, before the rest of the internet catches up.

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