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I stumble into Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza feeling most unlike a queen. I’m sand-spattered, khaki-clad, hiking-booted and sunburned. I’ve been pyramid gazing, after all — and I’ve crawled into nooks, nuzzled up to camels, navigated Old Cairo’s bustling market as determinedly as a rugby player. Frankly, I just want to sneak upstairs to my room and peer out my suite’s window at feluccas on the festive River Nile below. But just a step into the snazzy structure’s lobby and I’m regaled by convivial staff and their plenitude of effusive greetings. I may even have noticed a bow. Gleaming smiles approach, helpful hands relieve me of my bags and far more people than I need escort me to the elevator. On the way, one gorgeous staff member leans in and says (with what appears to be reverence): “Madam Hensley, do you know you’ve been to more than 43 Four Seasons hotels — and many more than once?”

guest room at four seasons hotel cairo at nile plaza
Courtesy, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza

That stops me in my tracks. Behind me the jewel box lobby veritably pulsates with ritzy animation. Nattily dressed locals and tourists alike converge to sip martinis and mint tea, make business deals, listen to music and reconnect. The air actually hums as if this were the living room of Cairo. Exotic, but urbane, it feels just like where I’d like to confabulate with a friend — if I weren’t tired, gritty, and looking like the able assistant to an amateur archeologist.

“What?” I say, not because I don’t hear but I’m honestly stymied. I do love Four Seasons hotels and resorts — but could that be true? 43? More? Maybe? But, before I can mutter anything else, she continues. “Yes. Yes. You are the Queen of Four Seasons. You’ve been to our properties in Hong Kong, Prague, New York, Thailand, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Wyoming, Paris, Oahu, Bali, the Maldives, Denver, Mexico …” she trails off, and I jump into the elevator, where a little bit of desert sand falls off my boots. I wave at my entourage and as I ascend I seriously ponder: “More than 43 Four Seasons? Could that be possible?” I hadn’t thought to count, but by the time I reach my room, I have — and it’s true. At least 43 different Four Seasons resorts or hotels — and that doesn’t include ones like St. Petersburg Russia that have closed or hotels where I went with my husband and the room wasn’t registered in my name. 

overwater bungalows at four seasons bora bora
Courtesy, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

The truth is that I adore Four Seasons, a Canadian-based resort and hotel group that opened its first property in 1961. With a philosophy bent on operating hotels only in exceptional locations — destinations where evoking a unique sense of place for travelers was possible — the storied, infinitely upscale brand currently operates 133 hotels and resorts and 55 residential properties in major city centers and resort destinations in 47 countries. The number always grows, however. The group’s about to launch its Four Seasons Yachts, after great success luring discriminating globe trotters for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities on board its highly successful, perpetually fully booked Four Seasons Private Jet Experience. The elevated private air adventure offers a variety of fly-and-stay itineraries that take guests all over the world. For road trippers, Four Seasons Drive Experience links its fine hotels with unbeatable driving itineraries, too — and the brand’s more than 600 restaurants and bars are the stuff of legends. They’ve got hotels this year opening in sites as diverse as Cartagena and Mykonos. 

lobby at four seasons hotel ritz lisbon
Courtesy, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

I suppose I fell in love with Four Seasons sometime in the 1970s when I stayed at their London hotel with my parents. Distinctly luxurious, the brand felt exotic because it had not yet entered the US market. Called Inn on the Park London, located near Hyde Park in Mayfair, the hotel was run with the precision and opulence of a Swiss hotel, something that wasn’t particularly common in those days.   I distinctly remember being treated like young royalty. (Now called Four Seasons London at Park Lane, it continues to deliver first-in-class everything.) In the 1980s, Four Seasons centered on U.S. expansion, while the 1990s saw the brand moving into Asia, restoring a convent in Milan, acquiring an I.M. Pei masterpiece in Manhattan and beyond. The 2000s brought mindful, clever openings from Cairo to Jackson Hole, where it opened its first ski hotel. 

Today, unstoppable and boldly opposed to cookie-cutter concepts, Four Seasons captures my heart as — arguably — the first hotel group to focus on offering guests curated experiences that delve deeply into the locale. Consistently, guests sense heartfelt empathy and genuine concern from staff.  That’s not surprising since Four Seasons boasts a mission grounded in care and problem solving. Ever exceeding expectations, staff embrace founder Isadore Sharp’s mantra (“The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”), which emphasizes the human touch even at the retreat’s largest properties.

the exotic four seaons tented camp golden triange thailand
Courtesy, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

As a history, architecture, exotica, and whimsey aficionado, I deeply applaud how the resort group seeks out the most unique or evocative structures or landscapes within a location for their hotels and retreats. In the playful category, the clear winner — I must admit — is Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, which has rescued elephants on property, theatrical tent suites, a maximalist bar that hovers over a river with views — even a suspension bridge that wriggles over a valley leading to your room. 

People often ask me which Four Seasons is my favorite. Certainly those I’ve visited multiple times occupy a special spot in my heart: Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, the Big Island’s Four Seasons Resort Haulalai, Four Seasons Milano, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe and Four Seasons Bora Bora to name a few. But, naming a best would be impossible. That would be like the choosing a favorite child (or pet). However, to say I could happily live in most any Four Seasons hotel or resort would not be a lie. 

ski time at four seasons resort vail colorado
Courtesy, Four Seasons Resort Vail

Ideally though, I’d ski in Whistler, Megeve, or Vail, whale watch at either of the two Los Cabos properties, gadabout in Paris, New York, Milan, Florence, and Prague, get soulful at either of the Four Seasons in Bali, swim with dolphins in the Maldives, chase Picasso-esque dreams at Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, and eat greedily at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Four Seasons Napa Valley, Four Seasons Osaka, and Four Seasons San Domenica Palace Taormina.

For drinks, I’d go straight to Four Seasons Houston for its Bandista, a canny speakeasy bar, as well as to Anguilla for the gorgeous Sunset Lounge.  I’d take kids to Four Seasons Punta Mita, Four Seasons Orlando, and Four Seasons Scottsdale. For celebrity spotting, I’d rubberneck at Ocean Club (Bahamas), Four Seasons Los Angeles, Four Seasons Costa Rica, and Oahu at Ko’ Olina. I’d safari, of course, at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serenget —which also has one of the world’s most exciting infinity pools, situated just a few feet from a wildlife watering hole. To learn culinary secrets, I’d pop into the kitchen in Chiang Mai, Paris, Mumbai, and Istanbul (on the Bosphorus). 

banana leaf wraps four seasons resort oahu at ko olina
Courtesy, Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

Indeed, there’s a Four Seasons for everything you need — though most every Four Seasons can provide what’s required. Whether its spa, adventures outside the hotel, dining, or inside amenities, each hotel reigns — though each also brandishes its own bells and whistles. 

For now perhaps I cherish Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza most of all. After all, they christened me the “Four Seasons Queen,” and I wasn’t even wearing a crown. 

Feature image courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. We may earn a commission from booking links on this page.