NEWH - Winter 2021 - 48

INTERVIEW
Isadore Sharp
Founder and Chairman,
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
By Can Faik
Photography courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
N
ow celebrating its 60th anniversary, Four Seasons initially set out to create a corporate mission statement that would guide the actions of
everyone in the organization. Its goals, beliefs, and principles are the foundation of the work it does every day. Its objective is to be recognized
as the company that manages the finest hotels, resorts, and private residences wherever it locates. Four Seasons creates properties of enduring
value using superior design and finishes and supports them with a deeply instilled ethic of personal service.
Sixty years ago, Isadore Sharp founded Four Seasons, one of the world's foremost luxury hospitality companies.
He tells Can Faik about the changes he's seen in the company over that time and explains how it has maintained
its unique place in luxury hospitality.
What was your background prior to launching Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts?
I grew up in a poor immigrant household in Toronto. After graduating from university, I went to work for
my father as a builder, making it a two-man company. I had no grand plans to create a luxury hospitality
company-I was just trying to put one deal together to combine the best of a motel and a hotel. And when the
very first Four Seasons opened in 1961, my vision of the future was just to make enough money today to pay
yesterday's bills.
What does your current position involve?
In 2010, I stepped down as CEO, but since then have remained active in the business in my role as chairman,
working closely with the executive leadership team and our board of directors. One of the areas I remain
involved in is in the design concepts and aesthetics of our hotels, as it is a passion of mine.
Isadore Sharp
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has grown from its first hotel, Four Seasons Motor Hotel, into one of the
leading hotel groups in the world. What do you consider the keys to its success along the way?
Four Seasons was formed out of a series of decisions and chance events, combined with strong relationships,
that set us on a path that I never guessed would have brought us to where we are today. One of those key
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Madrid
48 newh.org

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NEWH - Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Winter 2021

Contents
President's Letter
News
Guest Perspecitve
Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
Who's Who
Conference Roundup
Have You Seen
Scholarships
Interview: Isadore Sharp
Sustainability
Q&A: Taylor Hoesley
Q&A: Tory Knoph
Q&A: Penny McPeak
Cover Story
Project: The Alloy King of Prussia
Project: Hakkasan Bodrum
Project: The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Project: AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center
Chapter Highlights
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles
Sponsor Index
NEWH - Winter 2021 - FC
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Cover2
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Contents
NEWH - Winter 2021 - President's Letter
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 5
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 6
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 7
NEWH - Winter 2021 - News
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 9
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 10
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 11
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Guest Perspecitve
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 13
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 14
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 15
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 17
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 18
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 19
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Who's Who
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 21
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 22
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 23
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 24
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 25
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 26
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 27
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 28
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 29
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 30
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 31
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Conference Roundup
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 33
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 34
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 35
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Have You Seen
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 37
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 38
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 39
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 40
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 41
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 42
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 43
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 44
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 45
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Scholarships
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 47
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Interview: Isadore Sharp
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 49
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 50
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 51
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Sustainability
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 53
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Q&A: Taylor Hoesley
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 55
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Q&A: Tory Knoph
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 57
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Q&A: Penny McPeak
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 59
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Cover Story
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 61
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Project: The Alloy King of Prussia
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 63
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 64
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 65
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Project: Hakkasan Bodrum
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 67
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 68
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 69
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Project: The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 71
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 72
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 73
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Project: AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 75
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 76
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 77
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Chapter Highlights
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 79
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 80
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 81
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 82
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 83
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NEWH - Winter 2021 - 94
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 95
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 96
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 97
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Save the Date
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 99
NEWH - Winter 2021 - New Members
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 101
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 102
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 103
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Partner Profiles
NEWH - Winter 2021 - 105
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Sponsor Index
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Cover3
NEWH - Winter 2021 - Cover4
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