How to Experience A Four Seasons Without Breaking the Bank
Four Seasons hotels are some of the most aspirational hotels in the world. The name has a cachet and the hotels live up to the rep. But they are correspondingly really expensive. For instance, the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole goes for $1.3k+/night for a basic room. Similarly, the Four Seasons New York is $1k/night. You can't book via Amex, Chase, or Capital One points. So cash is pretty much the only option. There are a few random ones in places like Baltimore which can be cheaper, but, no offense to Baltimore and its crab cakes but that's not that exciting.
If you want to experience a Four Seasons someplace more fun, I present to you the two(!) Four Seasons in Bogotá, Colombia. While it’s somewhat unexpected that it would be the one city in the world with two Four Seasons, the two hotels in Bogotá offer a really fun experience while totally being possible budget-wise. My trip cost $500 for 3 nights, thanks to Amex and its FHR program.
The more unique of the two, the Four Seasons Casa Medina is perhaps the most interesting, atmospheric hotel I have ever visited. It’s a former colonial mansion, and it absolutely has character and atmosphere for days, with only 62 rooms. It was, quite frankly, amazing. You could explore the building for a long time - there are so many nooks and crannies to explore, beautiful art and lighting installations, just so much to wander through.
It is clearly unlike any hotel out there.
The restaurant is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen - airy, lush, light-filled during the day, moody and atmospheric at night. Breakfast was included in my Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts rate (see below).
The only downside, which may not be a downside to some, is it’s located in the center of Bogotá, but a bit away from the scene. The other Four Seasons is located right in the thick of it, but is definitely more of a standard hotel. I’d love to stay at the other one day, just to try it, but I think I’m going to prefer the Casa Medina due to its uniqueness and character.
Some may prefer the more “normal” one, and indeed, at breakfast, I overheard an employee working with another guest who seemed upset about staying at the Casa Medina and instead wanted to move to the other Four Seasons.
When people think about Colombia, they often think about Medellín, while Bogotá is often overlooked or poo-pooed. But I have to say, I preferred Bogotá. It is the hub of Colombia, and much more cosmopolitan, with a thriving arts scene, great food, and amazing bicycling infrastructure. Their version of Citibike was easy, cheap and totally fun to use.
HOW TO BOOK IT
You need an Amex Platinum to fully take advantage of the best way to book them - the two Four Seasons in Bogotá are best booked via Amextravel.com. You often get 3rd night free, and you always get free breakfast, a $100 property credit, room upgrade when avail, early check-in/late check-out, and most importantly, can use the $200 yearly Fine Hotels & Resorts credit that comes with the Amex Platinum. All these combined make for a killer deal.
If you don’t have an Amex Platinum, you can book via Four Seasons travel agent partners - you can get many of these benefits, but without the $200 FHR credit. But I'd encourage you to consider the Platinum, since it comes with so many benefits in addition to this $200 credit.