One window into the nature of the current recession and the uncertainty that it’s causing is through the fancy curtains at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The revenue per available room (the hospitality industry’s key financial measure) is down 25% year-to-date and for the first time in its history, the hotel management company has cut headquarters staff by 10%. In this recession, Four Seasons’ customers are hurting – wealthy individuals, the business service companies that cater to Fortune 1000 companies and the vibrant venture capital/IPO markets – significantly reducing stays at Four Seasons. Hotel property owners who contract with Four Seasons (which interestingly does not own any of its hotels, it only manages them) to hire and train their staff and manage their hotel properties are pressing Four Seasons to cut back on expenses and lower room rates to attract more guests….