Michael Pedder likes to joke that his path to becoming the general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Boston was by boarding an Alaska Airlines flight with his wife and two sons and flying to Boston from Seattle, where he was previously general manager for Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. In reality, hospitality is in his blood—his father ran a small hotel in Nottingham, England, and Pedder grew up working there. That compounded with decades of experience and a 17-year tenure with Four Seasons properties made him an obvious choice to take the reins at the preeminent local fixture. Here, Pedder delves into his ambitions and why location is everything.
What was your first impression of Four Seasons Boston?
It was a sunny day and the garden was just beginning to come to life in April. I walked around the outside and thought, how lucky are we to be in the location that we are? I think my stamp will be to embrace the location and bring it into the building, whether it’s the guys out front wearing Patriots jerseys on game day or having some local apples as a room service amenity.
Do you have a favorite spot inside?
The grand staircase is just iconic. We’ve had several people while I’ve worked here who have asked if they can go up and propose on the landing.
How do you see your role here
at the hotel?
When we meet new employees, I tell them I’m the least important person here. If we were an orchestra, as the conductor, I can’t play every instrument and create that symphony without every person doing their part to a 10 out of 10 level.
What is the magic of a Four Seasons Boston stay?
As a parent of two young boys, I want to make sure that our experience for families is fully embraced, My boys always ask “Are we staying at the Four Seasons?” We want to make sure everyone wants to do that.
Photography by: Ian Travis Barnard
