Tag: around the world

Across the Universe

Posted on by Sam Kean

This year, the universe has gifted us with 366 days. Leap day represents the perfect opportunity to look back and look forward, to develop new traditions and step out of your comfort zone, to explore the world and come home different – one unforgettable experience at a time.

Linebreak2

Take the Leap With Four Seasons

What will you do with your extra day? Use it to do something you’ve never done before. The time is yours to take.

Chiangmai

1 minute in Chiang Mai
A Gesture of Giving
Start your day by offering temple monks a token of respect as they stop by during their morning ritual.

Bud

1 hour in Budapest
Take Tea at the Palace
Sit back beneath the magnificent glass cupola of the historic Peacock Passage at
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest and taste lavish cakes and savoury delights.

Sbt

1 day in the Serengeti
In Search of Rhino
During a full-day safari, see the rare black rhinos that inhabit the southwest Moru Kopjes as your Maasai guide explains the significance of pockmarked Gong Rock and the nearby rock paintings.

Because it happens only once every four years, leap day has historically been seen as an oddity, a day for declaring that the normal rules don’t always have to apply.

On the last day of February in 1948, for example, single women in Aurora, Illinois, seized control of the fire and police departments, and jailed every unmarried man they could round up. They took over the city council as well, where they debated outlawing corncob pipes and flew bloomers as flags over City Hall.

Believe it or not, this wasn’t the first – or last – women’s takeover of Aurora. It happened every four years from 1932 to 1980, always on February 29: leap day. This city’s tradition was just one of many around the world.

One of the best-known leap day traditions flips the script on marriage proposals. No one knows how it started, but the custom was well established by the 1800s. If the man refused a woman’s proposal, he had to pay a fine – usually cash or a new gown.

Linebreak2

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

One day, one hour or even one minute can change the way we view the world. That’s especially true when we step out of our routines. Transform your perspective with Four Seasons.

Hoian

1 minute in Hoi An, Vietnam (the Nam Hai)
A Goodnight Kiss
Set your intention and then release your wishing candle onto the lotus pond to the healing and evocative music of singing bowls.

Jacksonhole

1 hour in Jackson Hole

Experience Via Ferrata
Join expert guides for a climbing adventure. Scale suspended bridges and walls of granite with the help of iron rungs, pegs and carved steps. You’ll never forget the view of the alpine terrain below.

Apl

1 day in Athens (Astir Place)
Slow Down on the Sea
Take to the Aegean aboard a traditional kaiki boat: Go fishing, see ancient sites and swim in the Saronic Gulf. Later, savour local flavours during a romantic sunset dinner aboard your private vessel.

More modern traditions include tree planting in Germany and leap day cocktails around the globe. In Paris, you can kick back with a copy of a spoof newspaper published only on February 29 – La Bougie du Sapeur (The Sapper’s Candle), named after a French comic-book character born that day.

In contrast to these light-hearted traditions, in Scotland the whole leap year is considered unlucky. (“Leap year,” Scots say, “was ne’er a good sheep year.”)

But many consider leap day a lucky day, particularly families welcoming “leaplings” to the family. There are two recorded cases of families with three siblings all born on February 29 – one in Norway in the 1960s, and one in Utah between 2004 and 2012.

Roman dictator Julius Caesar is considered the father of leap year. The ancient Roman calendar system was based on 355 days a year – slightly over 10 days shorter than a solar year. To keep the calendar in line with the seasons, Caesar consulted with the top astronomers of the day, and in 46 BC added one day every four years to the calendar to make up for the discrepancy.

Linebreak2

Come Home Different

Travel is a time to experience new things, reflect on ourselves and embrace new ways of being. What skills, hobbies and interests will you bring home to expand your personal horizons?

Abu

1 minute in Abu Dhabi
A traditional welcome
Begin to learn Arabic at check-in: “Al-Salaam-Alaikum,” or “peace be unto you,” is how the Concierge will greet you, along with a warm smile and a freshly poured cup of traditional coffee.

Abu

1 hour in Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Go to Market
Watch fishermen return in colourful jukung boats with their overnight catch at Jimbaran Fish Market. Later, head back to the Resort for an educational cooking class and fresh seafood lunch.

Oahu

1 day in Oahu at Ko Olina
Earth, Wind and Fire
In a private helicopter, glide high above rugged cliffs and cascading waterfalls to see the blazing glory of the erupting Kilauea volcano first-hand. Afterwards, plant a tree – as children did in Germany on leap day – in the Hawaiian Legacy Forest.

Non-European cultures that used different calendars have fewer customs associated with February 29. But because the solar year isn’t a precise number – Earth’s orbital revolution around the sun takes about six hours longer than 365 whole days – all calendars need to fudge things with their own leap days and leap months, which often have their own traditions.

China historically used a lunar calendar that incorporated seven leap months every 19 years. And the Hebrew calendar sometimes deletes a day, but more often adds days and months in what are called “pregnant years.” The extra month is considered lucky.

Breaking things down even smaller than leap months and leap days, there’s the leap second. We need leap seconds because the Earth’s rotation is constantly slowing down (and has been for ages: in dinosaur times, a seasonal year lasted around 400 days). So every few years since 1972, the world’s timekeepers have added a second to our clocks at midnight on June 30 or December 31 – at which point the time is officially 11:59:60 pm.

No matter how you perceive leap day, its fundamental purpose is to keep our calendars aligned with the seasons, thereby providing stability in our lives. It’s ironic, then, that the day itself is often the opposite – whimsical and exciting. But sometimes we need that release, a little break from routine. However you choose to take your time on February 29 – lingering under the stars in Costa Rica, diving into Anguilla’s hidden cays, escaping to Lake Como from Milan via a helicopter ride over the mountains – take advantage of this rarest of days and make it somehow your own.

Women Who Inspire

Posted on by Alycee Byrd

To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, we’re highlighting a handful of the most inspiring Four Seasons team members. From a wine connoisseur in Lisbon who has been awarded the honour of Sommelier of the Year to an adventure guide in Los Cabos who connects guests more deeply with nature and local culture, these are the women who make the Four Seasons shine.

Here, they share their inspirations as well as the experiences they love in their destinations.

Gabriela Marques Sommelier at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Gabriela Marques
Sommelier
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

“For many years, the sommelier was seen as a job for men,” says Gabriela Marques, Sommelier at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon. “The challenge for me was to keep up the pace with my advanced sommelier colleagues and let go of the social stigma that being a lady would be an issue to my career path. Work hard, study hard, play hard, be truly committed and you will get there fast.” The hard work paid off. In 2018, Revista de Vinhos honoured Marques as Sommelier/Wine Director of the Year.

Early on in her hospitality career, Marques became fascinated with wine, devouring books and eventually signing up for a sommelier course at the School of Hospitality in Lisbon. As Sommelier of Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon’s Varanda restaurant and its new restaurant, CURA, which specializes in organic and biodynamic wines, Marques strives to share her passion with guests.

“Wine is not only just something you drink. It is also a lifetime’s work,” she says. “It is a heritage that runs through time to your glass. It is a family that works from dusk till dawn until the harvest. It is love and friendship and stories that can be shared. It brings culture and places within, and most of all it brings people together.”

Insights: Lisbon

“Guests who are visiting in autumn should arrange with the Concierge to visit the seventh-generation, 650-hectare José Maria da Fonseca estate during Vindimas, the festive harvest time when the grapes are picked.”

“The Concierge can organize an exclusive moto-sidecar tour of the city with a focus on urban art. Look out for the Vhils pieces. And guests can always ask for a picnic basket, prepared by our chef, to enjoy in the gardens of the Gulbenkian Museum.”

“Running or cycling by the river Tagus is a wonderful experience. The light is just unique, and you get to see the bridge, the Christ the King and sometimes, if you’re lucky, the dolphins. Don’t forget to go to the top of the MAAT museum for an amazing view.”


Majo Magana
Adventure Concierge
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas™

Majo Magana was studying industrial engineering in central Mexico, far from the beach and the hospitality world, when a friend invited her to spend summer working in the activities department at a hotel in San José del Cabo. “I fell in love with everything,” she says. “But mostly, I fell in love with the connection I made with the guests. I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to do all that.”

When she joined the Costa Palmas community and Four Seasons family, she pursued a master’s degree in hospitality management so that she could keep learning about the industry.

“When working with a guest, there is this incredibly meaningful exchange that happens,” she says. “I have the honour of helping to shape these unforgettable moments. There is an exchange of culture and experience that leaves an indelible mark on the guest, but also on me. I’ve made friends and connections that have remained to this day.”

“The Adventure Team is made up of tough, fit, strong swimmers, hikers, bikers, off-road drivers,” Magana says.  “We know as much about mechanics and sports as we do about arts and crafts.” Creativity and innovation are key to her team’s success.

“We are located in an incredibly remote section of Baja, where resources are limited,” she says. “There is deep trust in our local staff to highlight the uniqueness of the destination – going off the beaten path to sightsee or to safely encounter our endemic species. We find that balance between luxury and the local environment sets us apart from the rest of Cabo.”

Insights: Los Cabos

Two scuba-divers swim under a school of fish

“The Adventure Team can arrange a snorkelling or diving excursion at Cabo Pulmo, a UNESCO World Heritage Marine Site 45 minutes from the Resort. The oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America, it is known for its hundreds of schooling jacks and Mobula rays, sea lions, turtles, whales and resident bull sharks.”

A red ATV drives up a sand dune

“Explore the desert dunes and the historic town of El Triunfo on an ATV tour.”

A canon with a waterfall

“Guests are always blown away when we take them on a hike through beautiful canyons to a secret oasis where they can swim in freshwater pools and slip down a natural spring-fed water slide.”

Goeun Lee Director of People and Culture, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Goeun Lee
Director of People and Culture
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

At the age of 5, Goeun Lee was serving her mother’s friends coffee and tea. “I knew then that my calling was to make people I meet feel special,” she says. Early on, Lee had dreams of becoming the first Korean and female General Manager in Korea. After earning a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, she took a job within the industry in Boston.

“My biggest challenge was confronting unconscious bias within myself – how I looked, how I spoke and how I thought,” she says. “I started off living in fear that I wouldn’t be as strong as native-speaking colleagues. It did not take long for me to realize that I set my limits and that boundaries don’t exist. I realized guests remember me more when I let my personality shine through, genuinely being myself.”

Lee returned to Korea and faced a new challenge: being a working mom with two daughters. “It was not easy to leave them behind to go to work and return home to spend endless nights taking care of family,” she says. “I struggled with the guilt of not being there for the little moments. But I know they know I’m a happy mother and strong woman. If they feel a strong sense of identity in part due to me, I’ve conquered all challenges.”

After serving as Four Seasons Hotel Seoul’s Director of Rooms, Lee was recently promoted to the position of Director of People and Culture. “It has been very easy for me to blend in with the intuitive Four Seasons service mindset, as I am genuinely interested in meeting different people every day to make a difference, small or big, in their lives,” she says.

“Four Seasons allowed me to be who I am, encouraged me to make intuitive and proactive decisions on my own to make guests and colleagues happy. True excellence and luxury – which embodies Four Seasons – comes only with constant evolution.”

Insights: Seoul

“One of the Hotel’s unique offerings is the experience of being a K-pop star for a day. Select your favourite K-pop song and visit the celebrity centre to learn more about the song and singer. Our team can arrange a trip to a private recording studio with a vocal trainer who will help you sing and record a short music video.”

“One of our guest relations officers will take you on a personal shopping excursion.”

“Our team can arrange a tour of the local markets, like Gwangjang Market and Fish Market, with a Korean chef who will explain food culture and food history as you go. After the tour, you’ll cook together back at the Hotel.”

Cos 1549 970x540

Andrea Diaz Coto and Hanna Storrosten
SurfX Instructors
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Originally from San José, Costa Rica, Andrea Diaz Coto remembers the first time she went surfing. “I was 16 years old and borrowed a friend’s board,” she recalls. “I immediately knew I wanted to move to the beach and live a simple life on the waves.”

Diaz Coto has learned to let her surfing do the talking. “The first time I paddled out, one of the guys in the line-up asked what I was doing in the water,” she says. “I now strive to out-paddle every man out there. My surfing has gained me recognition and respect in the line-up.” After years travelling the world on the pro surf tour, she continues to devote her life to her passion as a surf instructor and guide.

Hanna Storrosten hails from Oslo, Norway, and jokes she didn’t even know what surfing was until she tried it on a trip to Costa Rica at 19. “I quickly knew it was my calling, just from how alive it made me feel,” she says. Storrosten postponed college for a year to surf in Costa Rica, then moved to southern California to pursue waves and a biology degree, and now is back in Costa Rica sharing her stoke with Four Seasons guests. “There are a lot of important life lessons from learning to ride waves,” she says.

Insights: Costa Rica

“I love galloping through the jungle on the superfast ponies at Carolina Lodge,” Storrosten says.

“Watching the sunset from a catamaran after surfing all day at Witch’s Rock is a must,” Storrosten says.

“After surfing all day, head to Soda Las Tuquitas in Playa Avellanas and get a taste of delicious local food,” Diaz Coto says.

Yvette Thomas-Henry Regional Vice President and General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Yvette Thomas-Henry
Regional Vice President and General Manager
Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies

The first African American female General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta and Four Seasons Resort Nevis, and the first African American female Regional Vice President for the brand, Yvette Thomas-Henry has been breaking barriers throughout her 12-year career with Four Seasons.

Her secret to success: “Always make sure that you are changing the game,” she says. “Take some risks, take some chances. Do things differently. Allow for the opportunity that someone else’s idea is better than yours, and give them the freedom and the opportunity to run with it, and then give them the space to be supported and applauded for it.

“There is nothing like creating a space where employees feel empowered, where they feel supported, where they feel they have all the tools and all the support or resources around them to be their best, most creative selves. Leave a mark, a body of work that creates a legacy, that raises the bar. Use your voice and your position to engage, motivate and inspire others. Above all, be prepared to do the hard work, to make the tough calls, to lead with your heart and your head. Be a leader that others are inspired to follow.”

Born in St. Thomas and raised in St. Croix, Thomas-Henry has held positions at Four Seasons properties in New York; Washington, DC; and Atlanta. She moved back to the Caribbean in 2020, on the heels of the final phase of a major enhancement at Four Seasons Resort Nevis. “I now had the maturity to appreciate the richness of the Caribbean life, the beauty of the culture and the people, as well as enjoy a slower pace that would give me and my husband more quality time together,” she says. “I’m excited by the prospect of seeing how I can bring value to the property, especially being the company’s only regional RVP of Caribbean descent.”

Insights: Nevis

“In the morning, I would recommend getting an early start to the day with breakfast in the comfort of your guest room, suite or villa. If in a villa, you can enjoy the privacy of your world being interrupted by a visit from chirping birds (there are approximately 156 different species on the island). If you are in a guest room, I encourage you to meditate to the sound of the waves as they wash upon the sand.”

“Head out on an island tour with any of our talented taxi tour guides. At just 36 square miles, the island can be circled in just about an hour, but it is jam-packed with history and culture to be discovered, such as sugar mill ruins from the island’s once bustling sugar trade; U.S. Founding Father Alexander Hamilton’s childhood home; the Caribbean’s oldest Anglican Church; and much, much more.”

“Eat traditional Nevisian fare like jerk BBQ chicken and spicy rotis with your toes in the sand at our Kastawey restaurant.”

“In the evening, head to our Resort Pier to catch the spectacular Nevisian sunset and unwind with a glass of wine or a cold beer and fresh shucked oysters.”

Naipaporn Panlamoke Assistant Camp Manager, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand

Naipaporn Panlamoke
Assistant Camp Manager
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

“I never knew how much I loved nature until I moved to Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand,” Naipaporn Panlamoke says. “I now try to be outdoors whenever possible, and because I work at an adventurous destination, I encourage myself to explore different places in northern Thailand, especially destinations within Chiang Rai. Every day is a new experience for me to learn, to grow.”

As a little girl, Panlamoke dreamed of travelling and experiencing different cultures. “I have been doing that since I started my hospitality journey with Four Seasons in 2015,” she says. Training and experiences in multiple roles, including inter-department learning and task force, helped her work her way up to her current role as Assistant Camp Manager. Her main duty, she says, is to ensure both the front- and back-of-house operations are running smoothly and that the team is in good spirits.

“I never set out to be a role model; however, I always perform my best,” she says. “Hearing colleagues or other young women refer to me as a role model is one of the most valued moments of my career.”

Insights: Chiang Rai

“So many of our activities can only be found here,” Panlamoke says. “The concierge team can arrange a Fishing With Locals experience where guests fish alongside local village fishermen along the Mekong River. It’s a special insight into local life.”

“One of the best ways to take in the rural countryside of Chiang Rai is by bike with one of our camp guides. The scenery changes from paddy fields to pineapple plantations to teak forests.”

And, of course, “Every guest wants to interact with the elephants. It’s a must-do.”


Shamim Salim
People and Culture Manager
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

“I remember the day I arrived at the lodge – there were 20 team members waiting to welcome me,” Shamim Salim says. “I’ve worked at four different companies and have never felt such a welcome. Four Seasons showed me there is nothing wrong with me being myself, and that my voice and ideas matter.” Around 25 percent of the team at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti are from small villages near the lodge. Salim is largely responsible for supporting and developing local employees. “Every hotel wants someone with experience,” she says. “Here we want to train you. We can teach you a job.”

Growth inspires her. “I have a nothing-is-impossible mentality,” she says. “I have seen a colleague who started as a steward to chef de partie aim for a higher position. Tools and training are essential for growth, but I know for me, I’ve also been largely influenced by the people around me.”

Insights: Serengeti

“The Lodge is in the heart of the Serengeti National Park, so it is one of the best places in the world for wildlife viewing. The lodge offers a variety of safari experiences, but seeing the Serengeti landscape at sunrise from a hot-air balloon followed by a Champagne breakfast in the bush is truly special.”

“Our concierge team can arrange a professional wildlife photographer to accompany your safari and offer advice and even critique your work and offer editing and post-production tips. For real photo buffs, they can also arrange one-on-one workshops.”

“Walking safaris are so unique because you are led by our resident naturalist and Maasai guides.”

Your Journey Begins Here

Where will you discover next?

Hotel on beach

Explore

Appealing to the Senses

Posted on by Alycee Byrd

Four Seasons destinations are filled with the poetry of the world, from the heady aroma of cherry blossoms in Kyoto to the vibrant hues of coral reefs that surround the atolls of the Maldives. With a cooking lesson, a cocktail class or a barefoot walk along the beach at sunset, your surroundings come alive through sight, smell, taste, sound and touch.

Close up of pastries surrounded by cherry blossom flowers

Experience Kyoto in Full Bloom

From mid-March to early April, a sweet, delicate aroma of vanilla, lilac, rose and almond lures travellers to Japan. The scent of sakura (cherry blossom) season is almost as powerful as the sight of the white and pink petals that open for this brief season. Kyoto is one of the most famous cities for sakura viewing. Like a springtime snow flurry, petals sprinkle down the breeze, float in the canal and decorate The Philosopher’s Path.

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto celebrates the season with every sense. The Hotel’s Chef Concierge Tomo Shinya can arrange for guests to experience the beauty of sakura day or night, with picnics along the Kamo River and night-time walks in parks such as Maruyama Park where blooms are illuminated by lanterns. At the Hotel’s 800-year-old Shakusui-en Pond Garden 37 sakura trees grow allowing guests a private and peaceful hanami (sakura viewing) experience away from the crowds. Afternoon tea in the garden is accompanied by sakura-scented sweets and a bouquet of blossoms at the table. In the evening, head bartender and master mixologist Raul Navarro crafts blush-coloured cocktails like the Sakura Sour, an infusion of plum wine and coffee grain whisky topped with pink petals.

Woman lounging in a spa pool

No matter the time of year, the Spa treats all senses to achieve a state of true relaxation. As you enter the spa, an aroma of roasted organic green tea leaves transports guests to the Uji region of Japan. After a few deep breaths, a therapist will pour this roasted green tea into a traditional lacquer bowl filled with warm water to soak the guest’s feet and apply an exfoliating sea salt scrub. This pretreatment ritual sets the tone for a blissful spa session.

Florentine Rhapsody at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

The exquisite art throughout the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze will transport guests to the Renaissance period, particularly the 15th-century frescoes in the Royal Suite. Curated experiences add to the sense of place.

Aerial view of Florence

The Hotel has exclusive access to the Ponte Vecchio’s only open-air terrace. A four-course dinner on this fourth-floor terrace is inspired by the many jewellery stores that dot the bridge. Or dine in a private 15th-century palazzo once inhabited by Leonardo da Vinci while enjoying private service and one of the city’s best views of the Duomo. Balance the indulgence with personalized yoga sessions led by the Hotel’s personal trainers around the property’s fragrant gardens.


Sand and Sea Escapes at the Four Seasons Maldives

The Maldives is a blend of azure sky, turquoise sea and emerald-topped islets. Three Four Seasons resorts ignite the senses, each in its own way. The adventure teams at all three properties will help you channel your inner Jacques Cousteau and feel weightless in the water. Feel the thrill when you come face to face with a bright yellow clownfish or swim side by side with a sea turtle on a snorkelling or diving excursion.

Woman sits in swing under a gazebo overlooking the ocean

At the dreamy hideaway of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru you’ll notice the scent of sandalwood and flicker of tiki torches as you cycle the island’s winding jungle paths by night, breathing the warm evening air. Sink into a state of relaxation while lazing in an overwater net at Seabar, surrounded by 180-degree UNESCO Biosphere ocean views. Sip a sweet Landaa Colada, featuring homemade coconut-aged rum and papaya syrup, and savour the juicy succulence of freshly grilled reef fish by torchlight, lulled by the sound of the ocean at Fuego. And don’t miss an al fresco Shirodhara treatment at the Spa & Ayurvedic Retreat. The combination of a stream of warm oil being poured onto your third eye and the unmistakable call of Asian koels in the surrounding foliage is a recipe for tranquillity.

Man snorkeling in clear ocean water

Kuda Huraa is known as the garden isle, and you’ll know why as soon as you arrive at the Resort’s flower-filled promenade. A dazzle of vibrant pink bougainvillea welcomes guests. Experience the rush of catching your first wave during a surf lesson, or inhale the scents of cumin, garam masala and coriander as you master Indian cuisine during a cooking class at Baraabaru. The stress-relieving sensation of powder-soft sand on your bare feet during an evening beach stroll or the restorative benefits of the sun’s warm rays on your face underscore the healing powers of nature.

A stay at Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah is all about embracing the sound of silence, sense of solitude and sparkling 360-degree view of the Indian Ocean from the endless white sands of your very own island. You’ll delight in seeing the resident pod of dolphins swimming past your private beach each morning, or hearing the splash of baby sharks in the luminescent lagoon beneath your overwater villa.

Two hikers on a trail

Rugged Beauty at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe

The town of Santa Fe is an arts magnet, and just beyond the city centre lies stunning wilderness laced with history and culture. The Resort’s on-site Adventure Center and signature Adventure by Design program, led by a team of expert local guides, can personalize an outdoor adventure to your fitness level and interests, such as geology or Native American history. “My passion is sharing the unexpected side of this magical destination with guests who are visiting for the first time,” says lead adventure guide and adventure program manager Hans Loehr. “There is no better reward than watching someone experience the stories, culture and inspiring physical beauty of northern New Mexico through our curated adventure programs and then begin planning their return trip.”


A day-long hiking excursion, for example, might take in other-worldly rock formations and hidden canyons on the ancestral lands of Native Americans. The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe is the perfect follow-up. Situated on a spiritual vortex, the spa naturally lends itself to mind-body-spirit rejuvenation. Of the many spiritual enhancement rituals on offer, the Sage Smudging Ceremony is meant to awaken all of your senses to help you recentre mind and body by clearing negative energy.

The Special Feeling at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

From the moment you step off the plane, you know you’re in Anguilla. The air feels different. The colours are more vibrant. The smells are a mix of sweet florals and salty breezes. Locals describe the island as “tranquillity wrapped in blue,” and from the moment your feet hit the soft powdery white sand and your gaze falls upon the crystal blue sea, you’ll understand exactly what they mean. Slip into an island state of mind with an outdoor yoga class. The Resort’s classes are held on Barnes Beach, allowing yogis to take in the fresh morning breeze and the sounds of gentle waves. “It is always our pleasure to help guests unlock the true essence of Anguilla through curated, in-the-know experiences, for an experience that is authentic and goes beyond the Resort,” says Diego Angarita, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla.

A man and woman embrace in a pool at sunset

The Resort’s Concierge can arrange an array of adventures that stimulate the senses. Scuba-diving excursions on any of Anguilla’s 33 pristine beaches promise an awesome show of tropical fish, sea turtles and untouched coral reefs. Those who prefer to stay dry can opt to spy turtles from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat or take in majestic Caribbean views plus adrenaline by scaling the Resort’s unique climbing wall.


Anguilla is known as a food lover’s paradise. The Resort’s culinary team will dazzle your taste buds with island flavours. At SALT, you can bite into the restaurant’s signature conch fritters enhanced by stunning sea views. Or taste an Anguillian Johnny Cake – an island staple – at Bamboo Bar and Grill. No visit to Anguilla is complete without a rum punch, or two or three. The Concierge points guests to toes-in-the-sand institution Blanchards Beach Shack for the dangerously delicious drink.

Your Journey Begins Here

Where will you engage your senses?

Hotel by ocean

Explore

Get Fit With Four Seasons

Posted on by Scott Masters Pierce
Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Portrait

Fitness guru Harley Pasternak’s innovative approach to efficient and effective full body workouts has earned him a notably large celebrity client roster. Now, as Global Fitness Advisor to Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, he’s sharing that sought-after knowledge with guests.

In addition to reimagining the brand’s fitness facilities, Pasternak has designed a workout video series to help with five of the most common fitness challenges experienced by travellers. His Total Beach Body video provides a pre-vacation toning strategy, including how-tos for 10 simple gym exercises. Once you arrive at your destination, you can hit the gym and follow his strength-focused Out of Office Fitness routine or get a burst of aerobics with his Hotel Fitness Favourites video, which mixes strength exercises with intervals on the elliptical and treadmill.

Fs Mexico And Caribbean Resorts Running

Can’t shake your jet lag? Pasternak has some suggestions. His Jet Lag Rescue video offers straightforward advice: Get outside and get moving. He recommends hiking, jogging, doing repeats on stairs, and walking, running or combining the two.

“You don’t have to do an intense boot camp,” he says. “A nice walk will do the trick. If you’re in an urban city, go explore. If you’re at a beach resort, walk on the sand.”

Equipment-free exercises like planks, lunges, hip thrusts, push-ups and supermans can be done in the comfort of your hotel room, outdoors or at the gym, he says. As added motivation, Pasternak created the #FitWithFSChallenge, encouraging guests to share their workouts on social media. 

Here, Pasternak shares his gym innovations, gives tips for creating a travel-friendly approach to fitness and reveals his own secrets for staying fit on the road.

Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Body Weight

How do you combat the effects of flying?

“Sitting on a plane for a long time is tough on your body. Try to get up at least once an hour and walk the length of the aisle. Stay hydrated and avoid salty food, caffeine and alcohol. Whenever possible, bring an extra pillow to make your lower back and your neck comfortable for the ride.”

What is the easiest way to keep up a fitness routine on the road?

“It’s a lot easier than you think: Walk. You can do it anywhere, any time, even in dress clothes. I don’t use the word ‘cardio.’ I don’t use the word ‘aerobics.’ I use the word ‘movement.’ We all need to move our bodies. I tell people to set a daily step goal, whether it’s 10,000 steps or 14,000 steps a day. Hit those steps and you’ll start to lose body fat.”

Harley Pasternak’s Favourite Outdoor Workouts

Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Imagery Outdoor Montreal 1

“Whenever I stay at Four Seasons Hotel Montreal, I head to nearby Parc du Mont-Royal. At the corner of Peel Street and Pine Avenue you’ll find the Mount Royal Stairs, 400 steps that transport you from downtown up the mountain into nature.”

Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Imagery Outdoor 2

“The Concierge at Four Seasons Resort O’ahu at Ko Olina has sent me on some amazing hikes. The trek up Diamond Head is a favourite. If I want more of an adventure, the 1.7-mile round trip hike to Lulumahu Falls is a 40-minute drive away.”

Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Imagery Outdoor 3

“Paris is one of my favourite walking cities. From Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, I go on a croissant-tasting tour of the area’s best bakeries. I’ll easily walk 10,000 steps, which justifies the pastries.”

For someone who is vacationing at the beach and wants to take advantage of the setting, what exercises translate to sand?

“Running on sand absorbs the pounding that would otherwise go to your joints, and it challenges your body’s muscles differently than when running on a hard surface. Try doing repeats of sprinting for 15 seconds and then walking for 30 seconds. In between sprint intervals, add a jump squat. The sand is a great natural cushion to absorb the shock of the landing. Last but not least, try planking on the sand. What a great thing looking out at beautiful views of the ocean.”

Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Sand

What are some of the innovations you’ve introduced at the gyms across
Four Seasons?

“As I revamp the gyms across the brand, I’m introducing the most state-of-the-art equipment, like HOIST Fitness ROC-IT weights, Lemond Series and Peloton bikes, Hydrow, which is like the Peloton of rowing machines, and Woodway Curve Trainers, which are essentially self-powered treadmills. Some of the changes are subtle, like swapping out traditional dumbbells for hexagonal dumbbells that won’t roll on the ground. At the forthcoming Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palma I’ll be introducing exclusive boot camps.”

How have you streamlined the gyms so that workouts at Four Seasons are more intuitive?

“I think a lot about flow and layout. I design my gyms so that guests will never have to wait to use a piece of equipment. We have stations set up so you can hop from one piece of equipment to the next and seamlessly complete a circuit. There are always options. For example, one pull-up machine might have seven variations to choose from. The Torq Power Cage is a favourite piece of equipment that allows you to do so much, from Olympic lifts to TRX exercises.”

Gym Innovations From Harley Pasternak

Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Imagery Gym 1

At Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Pasternak created a stretch of grasslike turf to echo the green views outside. Guests can use the space to do sprints and push a weighted sled.

Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Imagery Gym 2

When Pasternak renovated the indoor-outdoor gym on the 4th-floor terrace of
Four Seasons Resort Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, he swapped out the old dumbbells for hexagonal, polyurethane-coated weights that don’t roll and can hold up to the elements outdoors. He also installed Peloton bikes.

Fs Fitness Harley Pasternak Imagery Gym 3

Pasternak outfitted the gym at Four Seasons Hotel Montreal with HOIST Fitness ROC-IT Fitness equipment in a custom black finish to match the Hotel’s sleek design. LeMond Series bikes and a Torque Fitness power cage are cleverly arranged so guests never feel crowded.

How does your gym design reflect the setting of each hotel?

“I think about aesthetics a lot. Four Seasons Hotel Montreal has a sleek, sexy design, so I chose to have all of the gym’s weight equipment done in a custom black finish to reflect that look. At Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, I added a stretch of grass-like turf to echo the green views outside. Guests can use the space to do sprints and push a weighted sled.”

How do you ensure you get a good night’s sleep?

“No caffeine in the afternoons is really important. You shouldn’t be reading stressful emails before you go to bed. Shut your technology off at least an hour before you turn in. In order for me to sleep well, I need to tire my body out, and I do that by walking or hiking. When you travel, request a blackout room in advance as well as your preferred style of mattress and pillow. I use a sound machine. Having ambient sound can help people relax and block noise that might wake them otherwise.”

Photography of Pasternak courtesy Megan Spelmen

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will you get #FitwithFS?

Concierge

Taking Our Time:
A Father-Son Journey Through Asia

Posted on by Eric Gordon

As the father of two teenage boys who have thoroughly assimilated personal tech into their lives, I often struggle to find ways to expand their horizons beyond their Retina displays.

Time keeps slipping into the future, after all, and my sons will only be under my direct guidance for a few more blink-and-you’ll-miss-them years.

So how to open their eyes to the truth that typing IRL (“in real life”) implies you do, in fact, have a real life? A life that the social media networks of the world may still be part of, but hold much less power over?

Fs Gordon Asia Trip Singapore Selfie 2

Experience has shown that teaching two boys the same thing separately requires less time and effort than attempting to teach them that same thing together. This approach has served me well and led to some memorable one-on-one outings.

None more so than a recent trip to the Far East with my younger son, Jack. Embracing my 15-year-old’s love of travel, I decided to make this particular excursion a little more, as we Gen Xers used to say, extreme.

I wagered that living unfiltered lives for three weeks in Singapore and Tokyo would reveal the important difference between seeing videos about a place and actually experiencing it.

Fs Father Son Journey Asia London

The journey of 1,000 miles may begin with a single step, but our journey of 25,000 miles began with a long-haul flight from Denver to London. If you’re going to explore the other side of the world, why not take the long way around?

Because I’d previously stayed at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane on business, Jeremy Dawson and James Birkett (the Hotel’s Assistant Manager and Valet Supervisor, respectively) immediately recognized me and went about initiating Jack into the fraternity of world travellers. That project culminated with a jaunt in the Hotel’s Rolls-Royce for a meal with friends at Gymkhana.

We were both immediately taken aback by the scale, scope and sensory overload of the Jewel Changi Airport.

Our first proper stop on the other side of the world was Singapore, where we were both immediately taken aback by the scale, scope and sensory overload of the Jewel Changi Airport complex – which includes a 130-foot-high waterfall, the largest indoor water feature in the world. But as the point of this trip was not simply to stand in different spots and take selfies as proof of our escapades (although we certainly did that), I decided to enlist some help.

In this case, help came in the form of Gladys Lim, our Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. After explaining to Gladys that my goal for this trek was to help Jack tangibly connect with the wider world, she knew just who to call – Natalie Chai, who would become our trusted tour guide and Jack’s confidant. But first, we fuelled ourselves on Hainanese chicken rice, a famous local dish at the modern Asian brasserie One-Ninety.

Fs Father Son Journey Asia Singapore 3

Natalie, as you would expect any good tour guide to be, was a fount of information. But while certainly interesting and perspective-expanding, the facts she imparted paled in comparison to the impression she herself made on Jack.

Somewhere among the city-state’s famed hawker stalls, possibly after a round of chili crabs at Chijmes, Jack and Natalie became friends. IRL friends. And while they will stay in touch via technology, it is the bond they formed on the streets of Singapore that will forever tie them together – even if, eventually, only in each other’s memories.

That was the beauty of this trip. Those small (but not really) moments of personal interaction when a smile or Google-translated phrase was enough to cross all manner of cultural barriers. Little shots of human connection and personal humility that can only come when, say, you find yourself and your 15-year-old man-child in a YouTuber-endorsed dive of a noodle shop, eating more sesame pasta–based carbs than even a marathon runner could manage.

Fs Father Son Journey Asia Shanghai Final

Or welcoming the unrivalled calm of the immaculately manicured Imperial Palace grounds – an island of introspection after the whirlwind, ramen-based adventures of Tokyo Station’s underground mall.

Or savouring orange and apple marmalade at Motif, set within Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, and then lingering in the Four Seasons farewell when concierge team members Mari Oshitani and Mami Kumoda stood and waved goodbye until we boarded our train for the airport.

Fs Father Son Journey Tokyo Final

Because of these moments and dozens of others, the Jack that’s upstairs in his room as I write this is not the same Jack I boarded a plane with. Is it a big change? Not especially. Not yet. But the idea was to redirect the way he views the world and his place in it. To that end, score one for Dad.

Fs Gordon Tokyo Palace

Your Journey Begins Here

How will travel change you?

view of London Park

Explore