Luxurious hotel chains. Four Seasons vs St Regis: Which one’s better?
If you’re already down to plan a luxurious vacation, you don’t want to spend your money on a hotel that will not fulfill your needs. And the best-known luxurious hotel chains - who are we trying to fool - all hotel chains get confusing with the loads of amenities & offers. So how do you make the final decision on which one’s the better option for you? Let’s make that choice easier by comparing Four Seasons and St Regis and finding out which one’s the right one for this vacation of yours.
By Aistė
Published: December 11, 2023
Room Types
Four Seasons is known for its spectacular room-type options depending on the location.
In Bora Bora, Four Seasons features 108 overwater bungalows (yes, please!) and 7 beachfront villas with a contemporary Polynesian feel. Moreover, they’ve been recently renovated, which is a huge plus for Four Seasons. Another example is their accommodations in Punta Mita in Mexico, where rooms are divided into casitas and suites, offering luxury amenities and breathtaking views.
Relying on the same destination example, St. Regis has 77 overwater villas in Bora Bora, and while they’re spacious and all, they could already benefit from redecoration, especially when it comes to the bathrooms.
Overall, Four Seasons often has more high-quality and modern rooms. While St. Regis rooms are also luxurious, they may vary more regarding updates and modernity, just like the abovementioned resort in Bora Bora.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
French Polynesia, Bora Bora
The resort features 108 overwater bungalows and 7 beachfront villas, offering stunning views of the lagoon and Mount Otemanu. Each bungalow and villa boasts a contemporary Polynesian design, complete with private decks.
The overwater bungalows were refurbished in 2019, enhancing their decor with new furniture, fixtures, lighting, and technologies.
The resort is well-equipped for families, featuring the Kid’s for All Seasons program, which includes a children’s and teens club with a variety of activities, an outdoor playground, and a splash pad. Moreover, guests can enjoy various activities such as tennis, volleyball, badminton, fitness, and yoga classes, as well as complimentary snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks. The resort also features a lagoonarium where guests can snorkel and learn about Bora Bora’s marine life and corals with the assistance of a marine biologist.
Ratepunk Highlight
Free Wi-Fi, 4 Polynesian restaurants with open-air dining, a Polynesian-style spa, a gym with regular yoga, plus an infinity pool.
Loyalty programs
Hello Mariott loyalists, all St. Regis eyes are on you now! This hotel chain is a part of the Marriott brand, and guests at St. Regis hotels can take advantage of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. It offers various tiers of membership, ranging from Member to Ambassador Elite.
Guests earn points for their stays, which can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and other benefits. What’s not cool about that, right?
It seems like Four Seasons is left behind in this aspect: it does not have a traditional loyalty program like many other hotel chains. Instead, they focus on providing exceptional service and unique experiences to all guests, regardless of the frequency of stays or spending levels.
Just a quick note. It doesn't matter where you are going and what loyalty program you're a fan of. Just use RatePunk and save even more money on accommodation. It scans hotel prices and shows the best price provider available.
The better option for families
Four Seasons hotels are better known for their family-friendly amenities. In most hotels, there’s a possibility of getting connecting rooms and villas.
Also, many of their properties have kids' clubs, children's pools, and family-friendly dining options. Getting back to the same hotel example, the Four Seasons Bora Bora provides a Kid’s for All Seasons program, which includes a children’s and teens club, offering a playroom, video games, an outdoor playground, and a splash pad.
St. Regis hotels are definitely NOT the top choice for family-orientated properties: family travel is not the standard for St. Regis. While it also offers family-friendly amenities, their availability (connecting rooms & villas included) highly depends on the location.
While they have multiple activity choices, they focus mostly on luxury and relaxation, and only a few options for families are offered.
Hotel fees
Here’s the deal: there are pretty much no fixed taxes with these two, so we can’t help you out here much: you have to check every particular hotel & destination separately to find out how much extra you can expect to pay.
St. Regis, being part of Marriott, tends to have more standardized fees, including destination fees at some locations. In contrast, Four Seasons does not have a set fee structure across its properties, so they’re practically random. Simply keep in mind & check this aspect when choosing your hotel.
Pricing
Surprise, surprise: prices vary by location and season. For both chains.
For example, a standard room at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita costs around $1,487 per night in the low season and up to $2,300 per night in peak season.
A standard room in Punta Mita at St. Regis costs around $989 - $1,100 per night in the low season and $1,400 - $2,200 per night in the high season.
The final decision? Drum rolls…
We say Four Seasons is your #1 choice. It generally offers more modern experiences with a contemporary touch, and in particular locations, like Florence and Bora Bora, tends to have a slight edge in terms of location and renovation, respectively.
St. Regis, on the other hand, mostly stands out for its advantage of using Marriott loyalty points.
However, who are we to tell you which one to book? Ultimately, it depends entirely on your personal preferences and the destination you’re planning your vacation in.
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