Four Seasons Hotels Cancellation Policy
Four Seasons Hotels Cancellation Policy: The Complete 2025 Guide for Travelers
When you book a stay at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, you’re not just reserving a room—you’re entering a world of exceptional service, thoughtful luxury, and consistently high standards. But travel plans can change unexpectedly, and knowing how the Four Seasons cancellation policy works can save you money, stress, and time.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a business trip, or a multi-destination luxury vacation, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know—including deadlines, exceptions, refundable vs. non-refundable rates, special seasonal rules, and tips for minimizing fees.
Let’s dive into the 2025 Four Seasons cancellation policy so you can book with confidence.
What Is the Four Seasons Cancellation Policy?
Unlike many chains with a standardized rule, Four Seasons does not enforce a universal cancellation policy across all properties. Instead, each hotel sets its own terms based on:
Local market demand
Seasonality
Room category
Occupancy forecasts
Special events or holidays
Promotional or advance-purchase rates
As a general guideline, most standard Four Seasons reservations allow free cancellation between 24 hours to 7 days before arrival. However, this can vary dramatically. Peak periods, suite bookings, and resort destinations often require 14, 21, or even 30+ days of notice.
Key takeaway: Always check the specific cancellation policy attached to your room type at your chosen property.
Typical Cancellation Windows at Four Seasons Properties
While each hotel is unique, here are the most common cancellation windows you’ll find:
1. Urban Four Seasons Hotels
(Cities such as New York, Paris, London, Miami, Singapore, Tokyo)
Standard rooms: 24–48 hours prior to arrival
Suites: 7–14 days prior
Promotional rates: Non-refundable (varies)
City hotels usually offer the most flexible policies because demand fluctuates less dramatically than resort destinations.
2. Resort Destinations
(Maui, Bora Bora, Maldives, Costa Rica, Jackson Hole, Punta Mita)
Low season: 7–14 days prior
High season: 21–45 days prior
Festive/holiday periods: Often non-refundable once booked, or require 60–90 days’ notice
Resorts tend to book farther in advance, especially for villas, residences, and specialty suites. Cancelling late during peak season typically results in forfeiting one night’s room rate—or the entire stay during major holidays.
3. FS Private Residences & Villas
Four Seasons Residences operate with stricter rules:
30–90 days prior depending on destination
Multi-bedroom villas may require full prepayment
Some residences include fully non-refundable deposits
Because these accommodations block significant inventory, the cancellation terms protect the hotel from long vacancy periods.
How Fees Are Calculated: What You Can Expect
If you cancel after the deadline passes, Four Seasons typically charges:
One night’s room rate + taxes (most hotels)
Full stay amount (festive periods, special events, villa bookings, and non-refundable rates)
Deposit forfeiture (when a deposit is required upfront)
Important to know:
Fees are always calculated based on the room rate booked, not the lowest available rate.
Taxes and service charges may also be withheld.
Refunds—when applicable—can take 3–10 business days depending on your bank.
Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Rates: What’s the Difference?
Four Seasons typically offers two main rate categories:
1. Flexible / Standard Rate
This rate includes the most generous cancellation terms at each property.
Cancel within the allowed window → no penalty
Cancel after the deadline → fee applies
Travelers who value flexibility—especially families or business travelers—usually benefit most from this option.
2. Advance Purchase / Non-Refundable Rate
This discounted rate is prepaid and cannot be canceled or refunded.
Full payment is charged at time of booking
No refunds for changes in travel plans
No modifications allowed
Although these rates are often 10–20% lower, the lack of flexibility can be risky.
Seasonal Considerations: Holidays, Festive Periods & Special Events
Certain times of year trigger much stricter Four Seasons cancellation rules. These include:
Christmas & New Year’s (Festive Season)
Easter & Spring Break
Golden Week (Japan)
Major global events such as the Monaco Grand Prix, Fashion Week in Paris/Milan/London, Art Basel in Miami, or Formula 1 events
During these periods, properties may require:
Full prepayment at booking
Non-refundable stays
Minimum stay requirements
Extended notice periods (30–90 days)
Always check your booking confirmation, as festive policies are usually highlighted in bold.
Special Notes for FS Preferred Partner Guests
Guests booking through programs such as Four Seasons Preferred Partner (via luxury travel advisors) receive added value, but the cancellation policy remains tied to the property’s rules.
Benefits like:
Room upgrade
Daily breakfast
Hotel credit
Early check-in/late checkout
…do not impact cancellation policies.
However, Preferred Partner advisors can often:
Advocate for partial refunds
Negotiate date changes
Help transfer the deposit to a future stay
This is not guaranteed, but hotels tend to be more accommodating toward elite clients booking premium room categories.
How to Check the Cancellation Policy Before Booking
You can review the cancellation terms in several places:
1. On the Hotel Website
Before completing your reservation, you’ll see a section labeled:
Hotel Policies
Deposit & Cancellation
Rate Details
2. On Your Confirmation Email
This will specify:
Cancellation deadline
Penalty amount
Deposit requirements
Seasonal exceptions
3. Through a Four Seasons Representative or Travel Advisor
If you’re booking a residence or long stay, always double-check with an advisor—policies may differ from the standard hotel rooms.
Can You Modify or Change Dates Without Penalty?
Usually, date changes follow the same rules as cancellations. For example:
If you request a date change before the cancellation deadline → often allowed
If you request after the deadline → penalty may apply
Some properties treat changes as cancellations, so you might need to rebook at the current rate.
Travel Insurance and Refunds
While Four Seasons is known for flexibility and guest-first policies, there are circumstances where cancellations are strictly enforced—especially during peak seasons or for non-refundable rates.
Travel insurance can help protect you if cancellations occur due to:
Medical issues
Family emergencies
Weather-related travel delays
Job-related changes
Unexpected disruptions
Many luxury travelers now opt for “Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)” insurance for additional protection.
How COVID-Era Flexibility Changed the Policy
During the pandemic, Four Seasons introduced widespread flexible cancellation policies. However, as demand returned to record levels, most properties reverted to standard or stricter terms.
As of 2025:
COVID-related cancellations are no longer valid exceptions.
Policies are strictly enforced according to season and rate type.
How to Avoid Four Seasons Cancellation Fees (Expert Tips)
1. Book the Flexible Rate for Uncertain Plans
If your trip is not 100% confirmed, avoid advance-purchase rates.
2. Book Through a Travel Advisor
Preferred Partner agencies often help negotiate exceptions when reasonable.
3. Set Reminders
Cancellation deadlines are usually based on local hotel time, not your home time zone.
4. Request a One-Time Courtesy Waiver
Four Seasons is known for hospitality—if you have a legitimate emergency, the team may help.
5. Consider Shifting Dates Instead of Canceling
Some properties allow a one-time move without penalty.
6. Avoid Holiday Travel Unless You’re Certain
Festive and holiday bookings are the strictest and hardest to modify.
Examples of Real Four Seasons Cancellation Policies (2025)
(These examples are typical but vary—always verify during booking.)
Four Seasons Maui at Wailea
Standard rooms: 14 days prior
Holiday season: Fully non-refundable
Four Seasons Bora Bora
Low season: 30 days prior
Festive: 90 days prior, full payment due
Four Seasons New York Downtown
Standard rooms: 24 hours prior
Suites: 7 days prior
Four Seasons Costa Rica
Standard rooms: 21 days prior
Villas/residences: 30–45 days prior
What Happens if Four Seasons Cancels Your Reservation?
On extremely rare occasions—oversold nights, operational issues, or natural disruptions—Four Seasons may need to adjust bookings. When this occurs, the hotel will typically:
Provide alternative accommodations of equal or higher category
Offer transportation if relocation is needed
Provide credits or compensation
Offer rebooking priority on future dates
The chain is known for exceptional guest service, so solutions are generally generous.
Final Thoughts: Booking Four Seasons with Confidence
Four Seasons properties are among the most luxurious in the world, and their cancellation policies are designed to balance flexibility for travelers with the demands of high-occupancy, high-value hotels and resorts.
Key things to remember:
Policies vary by hotel, room type, season, and rate.
Standard city hotels offer 24–48 hour cancellation windows.
Resorts and villas often require 14–90 days’ notice.
Holiday bookings may be fully non-refundable.
Always review your specific confirmation.
By understanding these terms and planning ahead, you can enjoy the full Four Seasons experience without the stress of unexpected fees or last-minute surprises.
