Recognition

Recognition is when a hotel acknowledges you as a returning or important guest. Walk into your fifth stay at a Four Seasons and the doorman greets you by name before you say a word, the valet who parked your car radioed ahead. The front desk skips asking for your ID because your file is already pulled. Your usual table at breakfast is held. A small gift in your room references something from a previous stay (a book about a topic you mentioned, a wine you ordered). To earn recognition: stay with the same brand or property repeatedly, join the loyalty program, and don't be shy about mentioning that you've stayed before, give staff the chance to look you up.