Would I stay again? Yes. But I’d love to see the owner’s group chat.

You never see them at check-in. Their photos aren’t in the lobby. But as I lay on the Frette linen of a Four Seasons suite in Bora Bora, watching the sunset turn the overwater villas to gold, I couldn’t stop thinking about the two men who own my pillow.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is a privately held company controlled by a small group of high-profile global investors. As of early 2026, the primary owner is , who holds a majority stake through his private investment vehicle, Cascade Investment LLC. The current ownership structure is as follows:

If you are looking for a single "owner" of the Four Seasons brand, the answer lies in Seattle and Riyadh. The Four Seasons brand is majority-owned by an ownership group led by (the private investment vehicle of Bill Gates) and Kingdom Holding Company (chaired by Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal).

Born in 1931, Sharp grew up in Toronto, Canada, where he developed a passion for hospitality and entrepreneurship from a young age. After completing his education, Sharp worked in various industries, including real estate and construction, before entering the hotel business. In 1959, he opened the Four Seasons Motor Hotel in Toronto, which quickly gained a reputation for its modern design, exceptional service, and luxurious amenities.

Despite its success, Four Seasons faces several challenges in the competitive luxury hospitality market. These include:

Technically, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is a management company. The brand does not own most of the physical hotels. Instead, the properties are owned by independent real estate investors, billionaires, and sovereign wealth funds who pay Four Seasons to manage the day-to-day operations.

Sharp is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the area of education and healthcare. He has donated to various charitable organizations, including the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children. In 2016, Sharp was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to Canadian business and society.