I will never return: An Evening at The Four Seasons SurfClub: A Cautionary Tale for Luxury Travelers - I will never Return

As someone on a personal mission to explore and review every Four Seasons property around the world, I’ve long held the brand in the highest regard. With its legendary legacy and reputation -

-for impeccable service, The Surf Club in Surfside, Florida — once the glamorous haunt of celebrities and dignitaries since the 1930s — promised to be a standout. Unfortunately, what unfolded during my most recent visit was nothing short of disappointing, and quite frankly, shocking.

Our evening began with all the hallmarks of a luxury experience. We were warmly welcomed, seated promptly, and greeted by smiling hosts. The ambiance exuded sophistication, and for a brief moment, I believed the evening would reflect the excellence I had come to expect from the Four Seasons brand.

But that illusion quickly unraveled.

The first sign of trouble came early in the evening: a spilled espresso martini, the result of an awkward miscommunication between our server, Alex, and the expo staff. While accidents happen — and this one was handled as gracefully as possible — it marked the beginning of what soon revealed itself to be a much deeper issue.

Service began to falter. The energy of the staff turned from attentive to indifferent. The food, while presented elegantly, was underwhelming in flavor and lacked the thoughtful detail that typically defines Four Seasons dining.

Still, we remained gracious. What truly struck me, and compelled me to write this post, was the sharp decline in attitude from certain members of the staff.

THINGS BEGIN TO SHIFT

Toward the end of the evening, we engaged in a tradition of ours: a brief, discreet moment to reflect on our experience, often captured on camera for our youtube channel. We also collect hotel key cards as keepsakes — a small gesture that usually results in pleasant banter with concierges, and only requested when the hotel is sold out.

But when I politely requested one from Lenee, the concierge on duty, her reaction was laced with contempt. What should have been a routine exchange instead became tense and uncomfortable, the kind of moment that leaves a mark. Out of countless countries, and hotels from the Shits to the Ritz, she was the worst concierge we have ever encountered.

Soon after, we overheard staff making unprofessional and vulgar remarks about guests — a jarring breach of the decorum expected in any hospitality setting, let alone at the Four Seasons.

As if this weren’t enough, the most surreal part of the night came as we waited for our Uber in the lobby. Quietly filming a closing statement (with no other guests or staff in frame), we were suddenly approached by security.

The manager who confronted us did so with a bizarre air of theatrical authority, informing us of filming policies that we weren’t violating. His tone changed abruptly upon noticing our microphones — suddenly offering us wine, champagne, anything to diffuse the situation. It was a transparent pivot that only made the interaction more awkward.

But then came the most inappropriate moment of the night.

Attempting to lighten the mood, the manager quipped that if we wanted to capture “the beautiful girls on camera,” we’d need permission. I was so taken aback that I repeated it back to him. Realizing the inappropriateness of his comment, he quickly offered us water instead.

At no point were we loud, disruptive, or disrespectful. Our only "offense" was engaging in our honest documentation of the experience — an experience that this time, fell dramatically short.

This post isn’t meant to dissuade you from visiting The Four Seasons Surf Club — rather, it’s a candid account from someone who genuinely champions luxury hospitality and has enjoyed exceptional experiences at Four Seasons properties around the globe.

But heritage alone doesn’t guarantee excellence. And when the guest experience becomes one of discomfort rather than delight, it’s a wake-up call — not just for travelers, but for the brand itself.

To top it all off: the entire incident? It was captured on camera. So thank you, Four Seasons Surf Club — for a reminder that even the most iconic names must earn their reputations, every single night. Four Seasons Surfclub was the worst hotel experience we have ever faced,