RIYADH – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Paris was awarded the “Best Luxury Chain” in Ultratravel, 2012, the Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) said in a statement Sunday. Paris's Four Seasons Hotel George V was awarded the best hotel in Europe in Ultratravel, 2012. The Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh was ranked “Best Business Hotel 2010” and “The Best Hotel in Riyadh 2009” according to Business Traveller Magazine at “The Business Traveller Awards 2009 and 2010” ceremony during Arabian Travel Market Conference in Dubai. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), said that “this is an important achievement for Kingdom Holding.” Prince Alwaleed & Bill Gates' companies control the Four Seasons Hotels. KHC holds a 47.5 percent stake in Four Seasons, while Cascade also holds a 47.5 percent stake, and 5 percent of the Four Seasons is owned by Isadore Sharp. The Four Seasons $ 3.8 billion acquisition deal by Prince Alwaleed and Bill Gates with Isadore Sharp was made in 2007. The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, which opened its first hotel in 1961, is a tale of continual innovation, remarkable expansion and a single-minded dedication to the highest of standards. The Canadian-based company has, for nearly 50 years, transformed the hospitality industry by combining friendliness and efficiency with the finest traditions of international hotel keeping. In the process, Four Seasons has redefined luxury for the modern traveler. The Business Traveller's prestigious awards were exclusively based on votes by the readers of the magazine. Also in 2010, Paris's Four Seasons Hotel George V was ranked Best City Hotel Worldwide in the 2010/09 Gallivanter's Guide for 8 consecutive years. George V topped the list of world hotels in that category and was described as “hotel perfection” of hotels. — SG
