Review: Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

Why book? Find the luxuries of uptown presented in a more contemporary style at this second NYC Four Seasons. It’s also home to one of the city’s best hotel spas.

Set the scene Set in Lower Manhattan, down the block from the landmark Woolworth Building, this 82-story tower features interiors by noted design firm Yabu Pushelberg, who have infused it with a comfortable, contemporary feel. The building also houses 157 private apartments, and that hushed residential atmosphere can be felt on the 24 hotel floors, as well, resulting in luxury that is more polished and sedate than gilded or ornate. The place draws the guests you might expect—well-heeled families, business travelers, Four Seasons loyalists—as well as area residents who are members of the fitness club or regulars at the CUT restaurant and bar.

The backstory While the striking, I.M. Pei-designed midtown Four Seasons is a city icon, there was plenty of anticipation for the opening of this “little sister” back in 2016—when the fact that a Four Seasons was coming to the Financial District was seen as proof of the area’s evolution. It’s delivered on that promise ever since, offering the only true five-star experience this far south on the island.

The rooms All 161 rooms and 28 suites are cushy but uncluttered, with an airy décor made up of contemporary furnishings, tall windows and the famously fluffy Four Seasons beds (with bedding that can be customized to your preferences). All offer sweeping city views—it’s just the direction that differs—and all come with discreet mini-bars stocked with snacks, spirits, elegant barware and both a Nespresso coffee maker and Bodrum tea kettle. Tech includes Smart TVs and iPads with which to access hotel services, and the spacious bathrooms—most clad in marble—have in-mirror TVs, as well as separate showers and soaking tubs; save some room in your suitcase for the beautifully scented bath products by Maison Margiela. We love the Hudson rooms, which sit in the corners and have double windows, but true high-rollers head for suites, many of which have terraces, kitchens or—in the case of the stunning Empire Suite—upgraded design touches like inlayed wood and hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper.

Food and drink Set off the lobby, CUT by Wolfgang Puck is the first Manhattan restaurant by the renowned California-based chef/restaurateur. The stylish front bar and spacious dining areas buzz with as many locals as hotel guests, and the excellent staff appear to know many by name (and regular order). The restaurant is only open for lunch and dinner, so outside of those hours, your only choice is room service—which actually does offer an extensive and well-prepared selection.

The spa This is one of the best hotel spas in the city, both for its lovely facilities and the breadth and diversity of its offerings. The main wellness floor houses a 75-foot heated lap pool, a well-stocked fitness center (with Peloton bikes), a steam room and infrared sauna, and a sundeck; these are open to hotel guests, people who book spa services, and members of Club27, an intimate, membership-only space launched in late-2020 to offer a more personalized approach to fitness and wellness. In the spa, services range from on-target massages, pampering body rituals and effective facials using premium skin care products to meditation, crystal healing, stretching and mindfulness. One-on-one sessions in yoga, boxing, personal training and more are available, and the hotel also partners with outside experts—including the Princeton Longevity Center—for special wellness experiences.

The neighborhood/area In the immediate vicinity, you’ve got Battery Park City, the Financial District, retails hubs like Brookfield Place and sites like the National September 11 Memorial & Museum; Tribeca, Chinatown, the Seaport, the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan’s main judicial district are all an easy walk away. Explore these downtown areas on one of the hotel’s complimentary Biria Bikes (make sure to grab one of the maps custom-illustrated by local artist Tanu Vasu), or book the seasonal “Picnic in the Park” experience to enjoy a chef-created gourmet meal in one of the nearby green spaces.

The service Unsurprisingly, the service is on-point and professional, from the friendly doormen all the way through to check-out. But it’s also more approachable and a touch more casual than you might expect—which is in keeping with the overall “unstuffy luxury” vibe. It’s still a Four Seasons, though, so anything you want can be arranged, from helicopter transfers and private shopping services to childcare and dog sitters (the pet-friendly hotel accommodates dogs and cats under 25 pounds.)

Family Kids are welcomed with a special gift, and dedicated family itineraries can be arranged by the expert concierge team.

Accessibility ADA rooms and suites are available in several categories, each with compliant features like roll-in showers, lowered peepholes and light switches, and wider doorways.