After decades of meticulously establishing itself as one of the world’s foremost authorities in elevated hospitality, Four Seasons is now present in some of the globe’s most exclusive destinations. The brand boasts more than 100 properties worldwide, yet it doesn’t simply expand indiscriminately. Four Seasons follows a carefully crafted business model, entering markets only where it knows there is genuine demand. From Denver to Dubai, and Seoul to the Serengeti, this is your ultimate guide to the world’s best Four Seasons locations.
Europe
Given the history and tradition that courses through the European mainland, most of the Four Seasons properties are located within the continent’s capital cities, providing captivating options for those intent on a city break. Within these destinations, there is a plethora of opportunities and experiences. Yet, it isn’t only city breaks that Four Seasons offers. For those seeking sun, sand, and serenity, the brand also presents a collection of coastal resort properties in some of Europe’s most refined locations.
London, Paris, Athens and Florence are dripping in culture, each steeped in centuries of history and iconic architecture. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, the Acropolis in Athens and Renaissance-era buildings in Florence all present a living museum for those who wander these historic streets.
Milan is reserved for those with a serious interest in high-end retail. A shopping haven for the world’s most discerning, the city boasts culture aplenty, in addition to world-class sport through its two historic football teams – a similar claim Four Seasons properties in Madrid and London can make. The French Riviera represents a playground for the world’s wealthiest, where idyllic beaches meet charming coastal towns and world-class festivals. Life here is defined by glamour and elegance.
If a beach holiday is more your style, then fear not; Four Seasons showcases a number of coastal properties designed with relaxation in mind. The brand’s Mallorca, Taormina and Mykonos addresses allow life to slow to a gentle, sun-kissed rhythm, reminding visitors that the goal is rejuvenation.
Additionally, the company keeps its finger on the pulse of modernity by presenting a selection of properties in slightly more up-and-coming locations such as Baku and Istanbul, ideal for the intrepid traveller. For those looking for a ski getaway, Megève and Geneva serve as the ideal destination from which to base yourself for a few days on the slopes.
North America
The Four Seasons brand is a product of Founder Isadore Sharp, a proud Torontian who grew and nurtured his organisation within the North American market. As such, almost half of the company’s properties are located on this sprawling continent; 55 addresses covering desert, mountain, beach and city landscapes, while also spanning lifestyle experiences and entertainment hotspots such as Orlando and Las Vegas.
The continent’s biggest cities are, of course, represented, with properties in New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston providing the perfect city break options, replete with culture and entertainment in equal measure. Music lovers can take advantage of Four Seasons’ Seattle, Austin and Nashville addresses, while Los Angeles’ three locations are ideal for those who like to rub shoulders with some of entertainment’s biggest names.
If it is a traditional beach holiday you seek, then the Anguilla, Tamarindo and Los Cabos properties represent refined options, while Hawaii needs no introduction in this particular regard. Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach and Santa Barbara offer similar experiences on the American mainland.
For travellers whose idea of relaxation encompasses the joys of adventure sports, Four Seasons Vail, Jackson Hole and Whistler are the ideal playground – where adrenaline hits sharper than a mountain peak at sunrise. Denver offers the best of both worlds – a sprawling metropolis with easy links to the slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
The sheer size of the continent means there are a plethora of other, more niche experiences on offer. Napa Valley functions as the ideal destination for the oenophile, while Palo Alto is the perfect staycation address for the busy tech executive.
Beyond the country’s most internationally recognised cities, there are solid options for those who might wish to explore the cultural fabric of the country without the hustle and bustle of big city America. Properties in St Louis, Houston, Baltimore and Atlanta all serve to help guests discover authentic regional experiences at a slightly more relaxed pace.
Central and South America
As previously mentioned, Four Seasons' strategy for scale revolves mainly around the idea of having a ready-made market for high-end hospitality. Traditionally, that market hasn’t existed in South and Central America, but that idea is gradually beginning to change, as economic and political stability is becoming the norm, rather than the exception.
The company is most visible in Colombia, where a rapidly growing tourism sector has, in recent years, been bolstered by economic growth and the dissipation of the chaotic years of the 80s and 90s. Bogota boasts two properties, the ideal place to base yourself for exploring the country, thanks to its central location. The company also offers a beach hideaway in the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena, nestled serenely on the Caribbean coast.
Four Seasons Costa Rica offers a tranquil experience surrounded by a sea of verdant rainforest, while the Buenos Aires location affords access to some of the world’s finest steak and red wine, as well as the passion and rhythm of tango that pulses through the city like that wine swirling in your glass.
Asia & Pacific
Much like Four Seasons’ expansive blend of experiences in North America, the company also offers a range of properties throughout Asia and the Pacific.
All of the continent’s biggest cities are on display, including megacities such as Hong Kong, Jakarta, Tokyo, Seoul and Mumbai – where discerning guests can spend weeks exploring without ever really scratching the surface. For those with an eye on culture and history, there is surely nowhere more impressive than Kyoto, a city seen as so important to Japanese heritage that even American president Harry Truman refused to consider it as a potential target during the closing stages of World War II, due to the irreparable damage it would cause to American-Japanese relations. Osaka, just a short train ride away, offers a more fast-paced, urban experience, the perfect contrast to the old seat of power of Kyoto.
Specific mention must be made of China, which hosts no fewer than ten Four Seasons properties across cities such as Beijing, Macao, Tianjin, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou. Today, the country is increasingly connected to the global community and offers the highest concentration of million-plus cities in the world, with almost 60. It is also home to the world’s largest selection of megacities, with 18 urban centres exceeding 10 million inhabitants, reflecting China’s dynamic urban growth and economic prominence.
Of course, the continent is replete with tropical hideaways, the ideal havens for guests who simply wish to disconnect for the duration of their stay. Golden Triangle, Thailand, is a tented camp within a jungle retreat, at the intersection of Thailand, Laos and Burma – a place where you can wake to the call of exotic birds before exploring one of the property’s hidden jungle paths. The lush oceanfront retreat in Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark affords tranquillity in abundance, similar to the exquisite beach experiences on offer in Koh Samui, Bora Bora and the Maldives.
With further highly exclusive experiences, guests can take a surf class in Sydney before attending the opera, or venture to the island paradise of Bali, where sun, sea, sand, and serenity await.
Middle East & Africa
The Middle East and Africa region has slowly evolved into one of the Four Seasons' most important markets, as economic growth has provided a fertile environment for the elevated hospitality the company is synonymous with.
Chief among these locations is arguably Dubai and Abu Dhabi, destinations long associated with sophistication, refinement and elegance. With two locations in each city, the brand seamlessly combines urban and coastal experiences, offering a carefully curated range of amenities, world-class dining, and exceptional excursions for guests to enjoy throughout their stay.
Given the topography, beach resorts feature heavily throughout the region, with properties in Sharm El Sheikh, the Seychelles, the Red Sea (Shura Island, Saudi Arabia), and Mauritius all providing exquisite options for guests who wish to drink in the sunshine and maybe a refreshing cocktail.
City stays in Casablanca, Marrakech, Tunis, Cairo, and Alexandria present the best North Africa has to offer, while the urban centres of the Middle East, like Doha, Riyadh, Amman and Beirut, provide a dynamic mix of history, innovation, and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Additionally, the region offers one of the Four Seasons’ most sought-after experiences in the shape of Four Seasons Serengeti. Guests can relax in the heart of one of the world’s great wilderness areas, where the likelihood of bumping into one of the Big Five (in a safe environment, of course) is extremely high. Replete with private balconies where wildlife can freely roam right up to the window, the address is arguably the most unique in the entire Four Seasons portfolio.
Four Seasons encompasses a diverse array of experiences, landscapes, and destinations, establishing itself as one of the most comprehensive brands for sophisticated lifestyle travel. With such variety on offer, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint a single common thread. Yet one element remains constant: the brand’s unwavering commitment to the elevated hospitality for which it is renowned, guided by its Golden Rule – to treat others as one would wish to be treated.
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