City Breaks, Your Way

How do you harness the energy of a city to create an unforgettable vacation? That depends on who you ask. Whether you’re into music, photography, art, fashion, food, family activities or wellness, Four Seasons can help you explore some of the most dynamic cities in the world and experience them through your own lens. A stay at Four Seasons means you’ll enjoy insider access, private tours and recommendations from in-the-know Concierges. These city breaks are bound to inspire your next weekend away.

Discover live music bars in Nashville

Bar counter, lounge seating and a table and club chairs in Nashvilles's Mimo Bar

Catch curated live local music at Mimo Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville.

Nashville has long been a draw for creatives. The city is filled with innovative craftspeople, designers, chefs and, of course, musicians, eager to share their passion with all who visit. Located in downtown’s SoBro (short for “south of Broadway”) neighbourhood, Four Seasons Hotel Nashville is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the area’s coolest bars, restaurants and live music venues.

Grab a pint of the all-Tennessee-grain State Park Blonde Ale – the official beer of the Tennessee State Parks – at Tennessee Brew Works while listening to live local music every night. Or head to The Listening Room Cafe to see performances by up-and-comers, number-one-hit songwriters and international acts in what is considered the “best-sounding room in Nashville.” You can also catch some Delta blues, rockabilly and jazz at the Hotel’s own Mimo Bar, featuring live music every Friday to Sunday curated by the Hotel’s music-obsessed Director of Public Relations Robert Chinman and on-property guitarist and music afficionado Assistant Director of Residences Dustin Doering. “Just as you would want for any Friday or Saturday night in Downtown Nashville, we are bringing an energetic line-up to Mimo Bar,” says Chinman. Want a taste of what you could be hearing? Add the Mimo Bar Spotify playlist to your regular rotation.

For those really wanting to immerse themselves in the creative energy of Music City, Four Seasons can arrange for a fully customized songwriters’ round experience. Hosted in a private space at a nearby art gallery, you’ll get to sit in and witness Nashville-based hit songwriters performing together and sharing the stories behind the creative process and what inspired their music.

See live music in Nashville

Focus on city photography in Seoul

 

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From the towering bookshelves of Starfield Library to the two-dimensional stylings of Cafe Yeonnam-dong 239-20, Seoul is filled with amazing selfie spots. And one of the most iconic locations to snap a grid-worthy pic is Bukchon Hanok Village. Famous for its traditional Korean houses – known as hanoks – this residential neighbourhood in the Jongno District offers a first-hand glimpse of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul invites you to explore the village, along with Gyeongbok Palace and Insa-dong, on the exclusive Love Is Seoul-Searching on Foot walking tour. An expert will take you on a half-day tour through some of the city’s most beautiful places. You also have the option to don a hanbok – traditional Korean clothing – during the tour for an even deeper experience. For women, that means a jeogori (top) and chima (skirt), while for men, hanbok consists of a jeogori and loose-fitting baji (trousers).

And if you’re looking for modern architectural marvel, let Four Seasons arrange for a private limousine ride and a tailored shopping experience at Dior Seongsu, capped off with a drink at Café Dior in front of a backdrop inspired by the lush gardens of Christian Dior’s childhood home on the seaside cliffs of Granville, France.

Take a selfie in Seoul

Explore urban art during a city creak in Boston

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Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston, is home to an impressive art collection, including site-specific pieces and carefully considered works found throughout the property.

Boston may be famous for its pivotal role in American history and as the setting of some of the world’s top intellectual institutions, but it’s also home to a blossoming urban art scene. And few places can give you the inside scoop on both established and up-and-coming artists quite like Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston. To start, the Hotel itself is home to a robust collection of works from a group of internationally important artists. The diverse collection was carefully curated in collaboration with world-renowned art consultants Kate Chertavian and Lucy Rosenburgh, and pieces can be found throughout the property, including in every guest room and residence. Let the Concierge pour you a glass of champagne before you set off on a self-guided tour.

Tucked away on a tree-lined street in Boston’s Back Bay, the Hotel is within walking distance of numerous museums and galleries, including the not-to-be-missed Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Have the Concierge organize a custom itinerary for you, starting with a stop at the art-filled Farmer’s Horse Coffee for a fresh-brewed Ethiopian coffee. The Concierge can also arrange for a car to take you to the Seaport District to visit the Institute of Contemporary Art (an official hotel partner) to browse in the current exhibition.

Explore Boston’s creative side

Embrace city fashion in New York

Style mavens flock to New York twice a year for fashion week, but this city’s sidewalks double as runways year round. If you’re wanting a stylish weekend in the city, base yourself at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown. Located in the heart of Tribeca, the award-winning Hotel embodies luxury New York living and puts you within walking distance of some of the city’s best shopping, restaurants and bars. Want to make sure you look your best while exploring the city? Four Seasons offers a number of unique experiences to help you do just that. Be sure to pay a visit to The Edit, a pop-up retail space within the Spa’s third-floor boutique that features a rotating collection of New York’s best emerging brands and designers, including curated collections filled with the vibrant colours and geometric shapes of Raquel Orozco and the boundary-pushing designs of Terry Singh. With the designers changing every few months, you’ll always find something fresh to discover.

“We believe in creating experiences to inspire meaningful conversations, and by launching The Edit, we are bringing new designers into our space who share in our vision while highlighting the best of New York fashion and accessories for our guests,” says Monica Domantay, Lifestyle Creative Director at the Hotel. The concierge team can also provide you with a personalized list of boutiques and designer shops to visit while you’re in town.

And when you’re done exploring for the day, come back to the Hotel to relax with champagne and music in one of the specialty suites that were recently redesigned by award-winning interior architect Bill Rooney and his team. Moody, soulful and timeless, every suite is made to feel like a true New Yorker’s apartment. The Metropolis and Tribeca suites even feature classic record players and record collections from iconic New York musicians for you to enjoy during your New York stay.

Find your own style in New York

Savour culinary magic in Paris

Overhead view of a table filled with small gold-rimmed plates of food and a white ceramic tea set for two

A stay at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, puts the city’s culinary wonders within easy reach.

As one of the world’s best foodie cities, this European destination can make even the simplest meal feel elegant. You could plan an entire trip to Paris based solely on the restaurants you’ll visit and head home happy and fulfilled.

When you stay at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, you’ll have direct access to some of the most coveted tables in the city. A culinary destination in its own right, the Hotel’s three-Michelin-starred Le Cinq is a must-visit. Serving modern French fare by Executive Chef Christian Le Squer paired with rare wines carefully selected by award-winning Head Sommelier Eric Beaumard, Le Cinq offers the dining experience of a lifetime.

And that’s just one of the Hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Have the Concierge book you a table at the one-Michelin-starred Le George for trendy Italian-Mediterranean cuisine for dinner one night, then for lunch the next day in the glass-panelled courtyard at L’Orangerie to sample the innovative work of Chef Alan Taudon, focused on vegetables, seafood and dairy – no meat – that has also earned this restaurant one Michelin star.

Take your culinary escapade one step further on one of the exclusive chef-led experiences curated only for guests at Four Seasons. Spend a day in Versailles with Le George’s own Chef Simone Zanoni to pick fresh produce for your private cooking class, or take a scenic two-hour drive to the Champagne region to sip the oldest champagne vintages in the world during a private tour of Maison Belle Époque.

Eat well in Paris

Uncover the family-friendly city of Fort Lauderdale

 

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Whether you have a toddler, a young child or a teen – or all of the above – finding a family-friendly city can make all the difference. Look no further than Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale – the ideal home base for your city adventures – with a team well-versed in creating itineraries that are sure to delight guests of all ages.

Paying homage to the city’s yachting legacy with a decidedly mid-century feel, the Hotel proves that kid-friendly spaces don’t have to sacrifice style. The all-day café Honey Fitz – located just off the lobby – is the perfect example of this, where a central marble table displays pastries by day and champagne by night. “Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale is set to usher Fort Lauderdale into a new era of luxury. The natural beauty of its location along the Beach Boulevard immediately reminded me of La Croisette in Cannes,” says designer Tara Bernerd. “We brought the space to life with an effortless flow throughout the public spaces, pairing fresh palettes with statement mid-century furniture, creating a luxurious yet welcoming atmosphere that reflects the city’s youthful and vibrant spirit.”

Set on the shores of Fort Lauderdale Beach, Four Seasons is a modern seaside haven for families. Younger children will love the daily activities at Kids For All Seasons – a dedicated kids’ club based on the Hotel’s Ocean Sun Deck – which includes activities such as poolside games, swimming activities, cooking classes, and arts and crafts. Older kids can cruise along the beach on one of the Hotel’s custom bicycles or ride over to nearby Bonnet House Museum & Gardens to explore the five distinct ecosystems that make up the scenic grounds. The Hotel can also arrange for a variety of unique experiences the whole family will love, such as a private Everglades airboat tour, a private yacht charter and a private helicopter tour for thrilling views of the Florida coastline.

Take the family to Fort Lauderdale

Relax during an urban retreat in Hong Kong

Spa attendant hits a small gong with a mallet as a man sits in lotus position on a massage table

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong offers a variety of holistic wellness experiences curated by a team of in-house experts and visiting practitioners.

The focus on personal betterment and wellness experiences is a travel trend that many people are incorporating into their vacations. And just because you’re embarking on a city getaway, that doesn’t mean you can’t find your Zen while there. One place that makes this remarkably easy is Hong Kong. It’s a fast-paced city with so much to see and do, but it’s also home to hiking trails, tucked-away gardens and verdant spaces nestled within commercial districts.

At Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, you can enjoy a quick reset or dig in deeper with the Hotel’s holistic spa program, offering unique treatments and rituals hosted by resident healers and visiting wellness experts. Revitalize your senses during a gong bath, connect with yourself and your loved ones during a private group meditation session, or opt for one of the multi-day programs to help improve sleep or enhance your overall vitality.

Fill your spiritual cup with a visit to Po Lin Monastery to see the awe-inspiring Big Buddha surrounded by majestic mountains. Four Seasons can arrange for a private Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride to the site, followed by a visit to the historic village of Tai O, one of the few remaining fishing villages in Hong Kong. You’ll get an up-close view of the village’s stilt houses during a 20-minute local boat ride and see what life is like for the tight-knit Tanka community that calls Tai O home.

See a quieter side of Hong Kong

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Escape to the city with Four Seasons.

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Finding New Flavours at Pavyllon London

By this time, you might expect Yannick Alléno to take the prospect of opening a new restaurant in stride. After all, the acclaimed French chef already has 14 of them dotted around the globe, and many – including the legendary Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris – have been liberally garnished with Michelin stars. But when Alléno talks about Pavyllon London, which debuts this summer at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, his voice ripples with excitement. “To open in London has been my dream for a long time,” he says. “And this restaurant, Pavyllon, is like the full combination of who I am.”

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First and foremost, Alléno is someone who believes that restaurants make a city. Situated in tony Mayfair, Pavyllon will count among its neighbours many of London’s most exclusive dining rooms. But Alléno is aiming for something a bit less predictable – and more relaxed. The kitchen will showcase his distinctive modern take on French cooking, combining refinement and a profound respect for ingredients with creative techniques. Sauces will be made with Alléno’s patented extraction method; desserts will be sweetened with birch sap instead of sugar.

Another key distinction is his openness to incorporating local flavours: That’ll be a very good cheddar, for instance, in the signature steamed soufflé, not Comté. The restaurant will also serve breakfast and tea, and instead of the single long tasting menu that is standard in so many fine dining experiences, Pavyllon will offer an ample à la carte selection designed to put guests’ choice and pleasure – what Alléno calls their “personal emotions” – first.

To open in London has been my dream for a long time. And this restaurant, Pavyllon, is like the full combination of who I am. – Chef Yannick Alléno

The same goes for the décor, designed by his longtime collaborator Chahan Minassian. “You just let him go,” Alléno says. “He’s like me with a chicken – he knows what to do.” The resulting dining room will be grand and comfortable. Lacquered panelling, hand-blown Murano chandeliers and a 7-metre ceramic wall will energize the room, but the real focus will be the bespoke 30-seat counter that curves around the kitchen, giving diners a front-row seat for the magic taking place behind the stoves.

That counter is part of what Alléno means when he says Pavyllon represents the combination of who he is. When he was growing up, his parents owned a bistro outside Paris, and as an adolescent, he worked there behind the counter. He clearly remembers the feeling of easy warmth and well-being that flowed from the kitchen to the dining room full of happy patrons and back again. “My goal with Pavyllon,” he says, “is to create that same great sensation.”

We spoke with Alléno to learn more about how he plans to bring that joyful energy to Pavyllon London.

Q: Why did you choose to open a restaurant in London? Is there something about the city’s food scene that was particularly alluring to you? How do you see Pavyllon contributing to it?

A: I waited a very long time to come to London. It’s a fantastic market with so many great chefs that you have to be sure you come with the right project. With Pavyllon, I think I’m coming with the right maturity and the right project: We are bringing a kind of food theatre to the city.

Q: Compared to your restaurants in Paris and Monaco, how will you adapt the concept to London?

A: The adaptation will be to use the best produce from England. For me, it’s very important that we locate the right produce, the right beef, the right lamb – I just tried an air-cured lamb, very salty, from the north of England that was fantastic. The taste of the place will be different than in France or in Monaco because the essence of the produce is not the same.

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Q: At home, you’re known for the excellence of your ingredients and your sourcing. How did you find producers in the U.K.?

A: I had a wonderful welcome from the chefs in London: Jason Atherton, Clare Smyth, Claude Bosi. When they heard I was coming to the city, they all offered to help if I needed anything, and they helped me make the right connections. It was very emotional for me to see solidarity like this; I think it’s unique to this industry.

Q: What will the experience at Pavyllon London be like? Is there a message you hope to convey?

A: First, it’s not a “fancy restaurant.” We will do things very seriously, of course, and it will be of a certain level, but we want it to be a real neighbourhood restaurant, like it is in Monaco, where you can go on a Saturday night, you can go on Sunday for brunch, you can go for breakfast. Yesterday I had a guest – she’s 90 years old – who said, “I love to come here because you can feel the joy.” That is what we want to do in London: a restaurant with high quality, but easygoing, where you can feel the joy.

Q: And the cooking? When people think of French cuisine, they think of the classic and traditional, but you’ve made a name for yourself by insisting on a modern French cuisine. What do you see as the relationship between the classic and the modern?

A: It’s just sauces.

Q: Just sauces?

A: Sauces are the verb of French cuisine. If you play with them, you play with the future and the past. When you talk about traditional, you are talking about butter and cream – a lot. I love that, but sometimes you want something lighter. Today, I make my sauces through extraction, with a new technique, and it increases the flavour. It’s crazy the flavour you get from it.

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Q: Sauce may be the verb of French cuisine, but does it play the same role in British cuisine? Will you be making any concessions to British tastes?

A: You know, the world has changed a lot in the last 20 years. Our guests are international now, and I think whether British or French they are much more curious about food. For them, there’s just good cooking and bad cooking. We try to do the good kind!

Q: It’s true that the world of dining has changed a lot in 20 years. Has your definition of the modern changed as well?

A: Modernity now is you are there more for the guests than for the chef’s ego. This is the huge change. I’m not here for me; I’m here to make sure my restaurant is full and that my guests are super happy. This is my sole objective. It’s what my mom used to do in my parents’ bistro, and that’s what I want to have at Pavyllon – I want to make people smile.


Alléno’s modern spin on fine dining is a perfect match for its setting. In the heart of London’s iconic Mayfair, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane offers an elevated take on the quintessential London experience. The city’s famous shopping streets and main attractions are just a quick stroll away, while the Hotel’s freshly redesigned guest rooms and rooftop Spa provide the kind of relaxed, quiet luxury that modern travellers need.

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Find Your Joy in London

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will your journey take you next?

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