Four Seasons Hotel, Madrid

This review is for the top floor restaurant. The food was exceptional and the room very beautiful. the problem was that the staff (which is plentiful) didn't seem to know how to manage the place. It was a bit chaotic (elegantly so, as it is the Four Seasons) but simply not up to the standard that the hotel is known for. Perhaps a bad day, but we paid top dollar for average service. The food was Five Star, no question.

A very nice hotel with a good location, but a few quibbles would probably make me try elsewhere next time I visit Madrid. In particular my room (207) I thought was not that great for the price (and had the classic over-engineered light system that you can never seem to get to do exactly what you want), and the food at both Dani and Isa was pretty hit and miss. Not bad by any means, but I’d be very surprised if there’s not some cool boutique hotel in Madrid which isn’t just as nice (or better) for half the price.

I have stayed at the Four Seasons worldwide when I travel so I was looking forward to having a drink before dinner at the hotel´s lobby bar. We were dressed formally because we were going to a birthday celebration afterwards. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the doorman and staff. We arrived at the lobby bar which is open in the middle of the public lobby. It was mostly empty but we waited for the hostess to arrive after five minutes of waiting. We were asked if we had a reservation which we did not (it is obviously not the most sought after place in Madrid) and if we were guests of the hotel. We explained that we came for a cocktail since we had an event to go to after. We were told by the hostess that the lobby bar was fully booked (which almost made me laugh) since it was 19:30 and mostly empty. So we asked if we could have a drink at the bar....not ideal but we were trying to be accommodating. Again, we were told that the bar was also fully booked. What made this offensive is that the hostess was likely told by the management to keep the lobby only for hotel guests but since it was mostly empty this made no sense whatsoever and certainly not the standard of the Four Seasons as a luxury experience. So we took out business to the Ritz which was both welcoming and elegant. As a visitor to Madrid from Paris, I would have loved to have experienced the service at the Four Seasons because I travel to Madrid often and would have stayed at the Four Seasons. But if this was any reflection of the lack of service and entitlement, then I will happily go to the other luxury properties in Madrid. We passed by the Four Seasons later and it was even more empty than when we were there so I guess this ridiculous policy is doing a good job keeping revenue down.

From arrival to departure the December and January stays were flawless. The service of the team and ability to anticipate guest needs was amazing. The planning of the Concierge and Guest Experience team was seamless and went without a hitch. The rooms were immaculate and well stocked with waters, coffee as well as the welcome amenities and goodies. The food at both the Patio and Dani were delicious and team incredibly attentive. The team from the Concierge, Guest Experience, Reception and Bell Desk referenced us by name and offered an unforgettable experience. The 90-minute spa treatment was exquisite and relaxing. The Four Seasons team's service and the experience encountered was simply phenomenal.

Unfortunately our dinner at Isa Bar / Restaurant was substandard. We entered the venue at 8.30pm and left at 10.30pm just two of us due to the delays in food and drink service it took 2 hours in total …Edamame took 15 minutes, Sashimi 30 minutes, Pad Thai came after one hour… Black cod after 1 hour and 30 minutes. Drink service was also delayed and we were sitting at the bar…no apology and no manager presence. The lady bartender behind the bar was overwhelmed and she did not show any empathy towards our delays. She seemed more interested in talking to her friends at the bar than addressing our obvious delays in service. She also many times scolded her bar assistant. Not really what you expect from an FS. Mistakes always happen and we understand this but no one seemed to care.