Published: 11/09/2012   RSS

Four Seasons is introducing free wifi in all house cars and contracted limo services globally by October 1 in a bid to make executives more productive on the move.

Cars may also be equipped with iPads offering hotel information such as dining and spa menus, and multi-adapter device chargers.

"Four Seasons has always anticipated the needs of business travellers," said Chris Hunsberger, Executive Vice President, Product and Innovation at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

"Just as our hotels have always been like a home away from home, for business travellers, it’s an office away from the office. As we continue to introduce new innovations, we’re taking that service approach beyond the hotel itself and into our house cars and limos, helping our guests maximise their productivity from the moment they leave the airport – and even while they move around town."

Travellers will find different products and services as they travel around the operator's network, however.

At Four Seasons Hotel Doha, for example, an iPad application connects guests to a live concierge via Bluetooth speakerphone.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills offers a luxury eight-passenger Mercedes van (above) equipped with two plasma screens, electrical outlets and unlimited wifi, allowing groups to conduct meetings on the go. Initially developed for groups conducting road shows around the city, the van is proving popular with other business travellers as well.

"Whether briefing the team before a big meeting, making last minute changes to a presentation or squeezing in some business on the way to a client dinner, this program allows business travellers to use their time in a way not possible until now," added Hunsberger. "The van even has swivel chairs, so no one has to look over their shoulder."

Guests en route to Beverly Wilshere, A Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsual Papagayo, can now connect live with staff to check in, book restaurant and spa reservations and order room service. "When the guest arrives, the same staff member they spoke to on Skype simply hands them their room key and off they go," said Hunsberger.

At Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles and the new Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, opening in October, iPads are also available in every room, offering a streamlined approach to accessing services. Guests can also use a provided login on their own devices to access hotel services.

For more information, visit fourseasons.com

Report by Dominic Ellis