Four Seasons Hotel in NYC to reopen in November after long closure

The Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown Manhattan is set to reopen in early November after a prolonged closure that began with the pandemic and lasted over four years due to a significant contract dispute between owner Ty Warner and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The hotel, which has been closed since July 2020, previously provided free lodging to medical workers during the pandemic's peak. Warner's contention that the hotel was not profitable enough, primarily due to high labor costs, led to the extended shutdown. As preparations for reopening continue, the hotel is undergoing renovations, with workers reconditioning the entryway and enhancing the lobby's ambiance. The hotel’s website, which previously indicated a fall 2024 reopening, now states that reservations will be accepted soon. This change marks a shift in the hotel's operational strategy, as it plans to convert about 50 rooms into rental apartments, a move that reflects Warner's desire to maintain control over the property rather than selling ownership rights. The reopening is significant for the New York City hotel market, which has seen a 7.4% increase in room rates over the past year. This trend bodes well for Warner, who purchased the building in 1999 for $275 million, a bargain compared to its construction cost. The hotel aims to attract guests with new bars, restaurants, and event spaces, alongside a planned spa opening in 2025. The last guests to stay at the hotel were medical professionals during the pandemic, and the reopening will mark a new chapter for this iconic establishment. The hotel’s management has confirmed that it will begin welcoming guests later this year, signaling a return to normalcy in the hospitality sector.