The Four Seasons ultraluxury Hotel New York and the ultraluxury Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara are set to reopen in the upcoming fall and spring, after being closed for nearly five years.
The 2019 pandemic, along with a series of impasses with a billionaire investor, forced the closure of these properties, which in their heyday hosted billionaires and celebrities from all over the world.
The reopening date has been delayed a few times, but unofficial reports suggest that Hotel New York will most likely reopen on Nov. 15, 2024.
“For more than three decades, both iconic properties have hosted discerning travelers and locals alike, and Ty Warner’s team and Four Seasons look forward to welcoming guests back to these celebrated properties,” reads the website.
The road to reopening has not been easy. Anyone who has worked in the hospitality industry knows that properties require “incessant” daily maintenance in order to live up to the customers.
Therefore, when a property is abandoned for an extended period, it quickly deteriorates, requiring a significant investment to refurbish it years later.
A curious case occurred in Barcelona with the famous W Barcelona. During the lockdown, the hotel had to hire an engineer who lived alone in the massive building for months, with the sole job of turning on the water taps in the 473 luxury rooms every Wednesday to prevent structural damage. The story was so bizarre and amusing that it made the local news at the time.
Another challenge the Four Seasons properties have faced is rehiring furloughed staff, a process that takes time considering that many former employees have already found new jobs, meaning managers have had to train new personnel to maintain the ultraluxury standards of these properties, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Hotel rates in New York have been prohibitive after the pandemic, so it’s expected that new fares at these two high-profile properties make headlines.
What to Know About These Ultraluxury Properties Before Reopening
The Four Seasons Hotel New York has long been a symbol of luxury in Manhattan, hosting international celebrities like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio, among others.
Originally designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei, the property offers sweeping views of the iconic Central Park and the stunning New York skyline.
Meanwhile, the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is a historic beachfront property renowned for its unique Spanish colonial architecture.
This resort is proud to have hosted former President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie Kennedy during their honeymoon. Other high-profile guests include Oprah Winfrey and Gwyneth Paltrow.
With the reopening, these hotels aim to restore their legacy as two of the most prestigious accommodations in America.