When Is the Best Time to Book Four Seasons for the Best Rates
When Is the Best Time to Book Four Seasons for the Best Rates?
If you’ve ever dreamed of staying at a Four Seasons resort or hotel, you already know these properties represent the pinnacle of luxury—unmatched service, impeccable design, and locations that compete with the world’s most iconic destinations. But luxury travelers also know something else: even the most prestigious hotels have rate patterns, discount windows, and strategic booking periods.
Whether you’re planning a getaway to Four Seasons Maui, a city break in Paris, or an adventure at Four Seasons Punta Mita, knowing when to book can save hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars.
As a travel specialist, I often get asked:
“When is the best time to book a Four Seasons for the best price?”
This comprehensive, guide breaks down everything you need to know—seasonality, promo windows, insider patterns, loyalty strategies, and tools luxury travelers use to secure the best possible rates.
Why Rates at Four Seasons Fluctuate
Four Seasons doesn’t operate like typical resort brands. They rarely offer broad public discounts, and they avoid flash sales. Instead, they balance a combination of:
Seasonal demand
Citywide events
Occupancy forecasts
Market competition
Renovation and soft-season periods
They also sell out far in advance at flagship properties (think Bora Bora, Maui, Seychelles), making timing even more important.
Understanding these patterns helps you determine when rates are naturally at their lowest—even without promotions.
The Short Answer: Book Four Seasons 3–8 Months in Advance for the Best Rates
Most Four Seasons properties release their most competitive standard rates between 90 and 240 days (3–8 months) before arrival.
This window hits the sweet spot where:
Early-bird pricing is still available
Suites and premium rooms haven’t sold out yet
Revenue managers haven’t raised rates due to high occupancy
Booking more than 8 months out can also be a good strategy—but only in certain destinations. More on that below.
Best Time to Book Four Seasons: Deep Dive by Destination Type
Four Seasons hotels fall into three major categories, and each has its own rate behavior.
1. Four Seasons Beach Resorts (Maui, Bora Bora, Anguilla, Punta Mita)
Beach resorts experience the biggest seasonal swings. Rates can vary by thousands depending on time of year.
Best booking window for lowest pricing
4–10 months out
Cheapest months to stay at beach properties
September (the single best month for value)
Late August
Early December (before the holidays)
May to early June
Avoid booking during
Festive season (Dec 20 – Jan 5)
Spring break
US holiday weekends
European summer (June–August)
Beach Four Seasons properties adjust rates fast based on occupancy. If you wait too long and the hotel reaches 60–70% full, rates can jump dramatically.
2. Four Seasons City Hotels (New York, Paris, Tokyo, London, Hong Kong)
City hotels follow business-travel patterns. Rates fluctuate week-to-week, not just seasonally.
Best booking window
2–4 months out
City hotels often drop rates when business demand softens.
Cheapest time to stay
Mid-January to early March
August (summer business-travel slump)
Late November to early December
Sundays are almost always the lowest night of the week
Peak rate periods
Fashion weeks (NY, Paris, Milan)
Major trade shows (Tokyo, Hong Kong)
September and October business travel
Holiday periods
City Four Seasons are excellent places to find last-minute deals compared to resort properties—just don’t expect this during major events.
3. Four Seasons Seasonal Mountain Resorts (Vail, Jackson Hole, Whistler)
Mountain properties operate on a different rhythm—especially those centered around skiing.
Best booking window
5–8 months out for winter
2–4 months for summer
Lowest rate periods
Early December (pre-holiday)
Late January
April shoulder season
Early September (post-summer)
Highest rate periods
Christmas & New Year’s
Presidents’ Week (mid-February)
Festive ski events
Mountain resorts heavily prioritize high-yield seasons, so early planning gives you the best pricing and room category availability.
The Best Months to Book Four Seasons Based on Year-Round Price Trends
Across the entire global Four Seasons portfolio, these booking patterns consistently deliver the lowest rates.
Best months to book
(When the hotel releases its softer pricing)
| Month | Why It’s Ideal |
|---|---|
| January | Hotels open new-year inventory and push softer winter rates. |
| May | Summer occupancy not yet locked in; promotional offers appear. |
| August | Business travel slump creates soft demand. |
| October | Hotels release winter offers; fall shoulder season. |
Worst months to book
February (high travel demand)
Late June – July (peak summer reservations)
November (holiday bookings compress availability)
The Best Months to Stay at a Four Seasons for the Best Pricing
Here’s where rates themselves drop—not just when it’s best to book.
Global Best-Value Stay Periods
Mid-April to early June
Late August to October
Early December
January (after the 5th)
Resort-Specific Lowest Price Period
September
It’s the universal value month for Four Seasons resorts worldwide.
What About Four Seasons Offers? (Promo Timing & Strategy)
Four Seasons does run offers—they just don’t call them “discounts.”
You’ll usually see:
Stay Longer – 3rd / 4th / 5th Night Free
Advance Purchase
Experience Packages (Spa Credit, F&B Credit)
Family Offers
Residents Offer (for regional markets)
Best Time of Year for Their Offers
April/May
August
October
These are the months when most properties release new promotional calendars.
Important: Offers rarely appear last minute
If you’re waiting for a deal at Maui, Anguilla, or Bora Bora—chances are it won’t come.
Booking Professional Tip: Luxury Travel Advisors Get Access to “Four Seasons Preferred Partner” Rates
If you want the best value at a Four Seasons, this is the single most important tip.
Authorized luxury travel advisors can book Four Seasons Preferred Partner (FSPP) benefits for you at no extra cost.
These include:
Daily breakfast for two
$100+ property credit
Upgrade on arrival (when available)
Priority room assignment
VIP welcome & amenities
Flexible cancellation policies
Here’s the key:
Preferred Partner rates are the same as the hotel’s public Flexible Rate—BUT include hundreds of dollars in added value.
This means that even when Four Seasons doesn’t discount:
You still get more value than booking direct or on an OTA.
For many travelers, this is more important than chasing low rates.
Should You Book Early or Wait for Last Minute?
Here’s the rule:
For resorts: ALWAYS book early.
Four Seasons resorts rarely drop rates close to arrival.
For city hotels: last-minute can sometimes save you 10–20%.
But only when there isn’t an event.
Waiting is risky if:
You need a suite
You’re traveling during peak season
You prefer specific room categories
You want connecting rooms
Data-Driven Guide: Best Time to Book by Region
1. Hawaii (Maui, Hualalai, Lanai)
Book: 6–10 months out
Stay: May, September, early December
Avoid: Festive, spring break, June–August
2. Caribbean & Mexico (Anguilla, Nevis, Punta Mita)
Book: 4–8 months out
Stay: May, September, October
Avoid: Holiday weeks, Presidents’ Week
3. Europe (Paris, Athens, Madrid, Lisbon)
Book: 3–6 months out
Stay: January–March, November
Avoid: June–September
4. Asia (Bali, Tokyo, Kyoto, Bangkok)
Book: 2–6 months out
Stay: June, September, early December
Avoid: Golden Week, Sakura season
5. Middle East (Dubai, Doha, Riyadh)
Book: 2–4 months out
Stay: June–September (low season)
Avoid: Holidays, trade shows
6. Mountain Resorts (Vail, Jackson Hole, Whistler)
Book: 5–8 months out for winter
Stay: January, April, September
Avoid: Festive season, ski holidays
Insider Tips: How to Get the Best Rate at Four Seasons Every Time
1. Book Flexible Rates First—Then Reprice Later
Four Seasons allows modifications if a lower rate appears.
Lock in your room and check monthly for changes.
2. Avoid Third-Party Sites
OTAs do not include upgrades, breakfast, or credits.
3. Use Preferred Partner Benefits
This adds $200–$600 in value per night at flagship resorts.
4. Be Flexible on Dates
Even shifting one day earlier or later can reduce rates dramatically.
5. Travel Shoulder Season
Four Seasons offers true luxury year-round—so lean into off-peak value.
6. Compare “Stay Longer” vs Flexible Rate
For longer stays, the free night offers are the best value equation.
7. Watch for Renovation Periods
Hotels quietly discount during soft-renovation years.
The Ultimate Summary: When Is the Best Time to Book Four Seasons?
Best time to BOOK:
3–8 months in advance (4–10 months for resorts)
Best time to STAY:
May
September
Early December
January (post-holiday)
Best days of the week:
Sundays (city hotels)
Weekdays (resorts)
Most valuable booking method:
Four Seasons Preferred Partner
(Free breakfast, hotel credit, VIP perks)
Final Thoughts
Booking a Four Seasons at the best rate isn’t luck—it’s strategy. By understanding demand cycles and using insider tools, you can elevate your experience and capture meaningful value without sacrificing the luxury Four Seasons is known for.
Whether you’re planning a bucket-list getaway or a weekend city escape, timing makes all the difference.
