Art Is Everywhere

One can’t fully understand a culture until one understands the art it deems important. Stay at one of these Four Seasons hotels and resorts, and you won’t have to go very far to encounter museum-quality works. From a jaw-dropping sculpture garden on the grounds of Sensei Lānaʻi in Hawaii to a hotel lobby in Lisbon that feels more like a world-class art gallery, here are six properties where art is all around and easy to find (no ticket required). 

Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Retreat 

Emily Young's Cautha at Sensei Lanai
Emily Young’s Cautha

Those who book a stay at the adults-only retreat on Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island are looking for quiet, exclusivity, and rejuvenation. Staffed by a top-tier team of Sensei Guides holding advanced degrees and certifications in fields like nutrition, holistic health, mindfulness, and exercise science, Sensei Lānaʻi is a place for guests to reset both body and mind. From one-on-one wellbeing consultations to complimentary daily group yoga classes, pampering treatments in private spa hales to nutritional fine dining from Sensei by Nobu, the resort pulls out all the stops to deliver opportunities for health and serenity to its guests. 

Jeff Koons’ Aphrodite

The grounds itself are an invitation to be more mindful. Outside, the garden is dotted with various monumental sculptures, including Marc Quinn’s Burning Desire, an enormous crimson flower; Jaume Plensa’s Talaia, a 45-foot female head meant to represent awareness; as well as several bronze figures by world-renowned artist Fernando Botero. Stroll the paths at your own pace, or sign up for an hour-long guided tour with an art curator. Inside, you’ll encounter an eclectic collection that includes works by LA-based mixed media artist Brooks Shane Salzwedel, French contemporary artist Jane Puylagarde, and Japan-born Seiko Tachibana. You’ll even find an arresting Jeff Koons piece in the lobby. 

Four Seasons Hotel Beijing 

Qin Feng’s Landscape of Desires No. 4 & 5

There is no shortage of historical landmarks to visit and classic art to see when you’re visiting China’s capital, one of the oldest cities in the world. When you stay at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, a 27-floor luxury high-rise in the Liangmahe area of the Chaoyang District, you’re choosing an excellent home base for your explorations. The hotel offers guests guided expeditions to The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the hutongs of Beijing, and other must-visit heritage sites.  

Jayne Dyer’s Butterfly Effect in Beijing 2012

The elegant interior design of the hotel is polished and modern, but China’s rich cultural history is never far from mind. That past-present balance extends to its vibrant collection of works by contemporary artists. Many of the murals, paintings, and sculptures on display are inspired by the nature-focused works from the Tang Dynasty, known as China’s “Golden Age” of art and literature. From Qin Feng’s Landscape of Desires No. 4 & 5, a bold riff on Chinese calligraphy that hangs behind the reception desk, to Jayne Dyer’s Butterfly Effect in Beijing 2012, in which 384 stainless steel butterflies appear to soar up the main atrium wall from the Hotel’s Tea Garden, the art throughout, like the hotel itself, is a thoroughly modern take on tradition.  

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon 

Almada Negreiro’s Centaur

No list of hotels with exceptional artworks is complete without Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, which houses one of Portugal’s largest and most prominent private art collections. The iconic Art Deco-meets-Louis XVI hotel, which opened in 1959 and underwent renovations in 2021, is broadly recognized for its seamless melding of impeccable hospitality with impressive modern art. The hotel has even created a free iPad app that can be used as a tour guide; for the little ones, the app includes a memory game that challenges them to recall pieces they’ve seen throughout the hotel. 

A bronze sculpture by Lagoa Henriques

Arguably the most famous artist featured in its collection is Portuguese Modernist Almada Negreiros. His magnificent Centaur trilogy of tapestries hangs in the hotel’s main lounge area; elsewhere hangs his partner Sarah Alfonso’s tapestry, fittingly and coincidentally titled As Quatro Estações (Four Seasons). Another highlight: two canvas oil paintings by Carlos Botelho that depict life in Lisbon in the 1950s. 

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island 

Saeed Al Madani’s Untitled

Museum lovers have a new destination to flock to this year: Abu Dhabi. Since the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017, the capital of the United Arab Emirates has seen the arrival of two more significant cultural institutions, both in late 2025 (the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum). And later this year, it welcomes the late Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.  

Ashwaq Abdulla’s The Seven Emirates

When you stay at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, a modern 34-storey waterfront sanctuary, you’ll have easy access to these museums (there’s even a direct shuttle from the hotel to the Louvre Abu Dhabi), but if your preference is to stay on the property, you’ll still be able to immerse yourself in top-notch art. The hotel boasts an extraordinary collection of 2,000-plus works by Emirati and international artists. Highlights include Saeed Al Madani’s visually striking piece inspired by Islamic calligraphy (a work so iconic that it’s replicated on the hotel’s key card) and Ashwaq Abdulla’s The Seven Emirates sculptures, a tribute to iconic landmarks in the country. 

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane 

Peter Lane’s monumental 7-metre (23 foot) ceramic wall spans the stairwell.

The hotel, ideally located in Mayfair, overlooking Hyde Park, offers guided tours of all of London’s biggest art institutions—among them, the National Gallery, the V&A, and the Tate Modern—but you don’t need to step off the premises to see a significant piece by a significant modern artist. Hiding in plain sight at Bar Antoine, adjacent to Chef Yannick Alléno’s Michelin-starred Pavyllon London, is a show-stopping installation by renowned New York City ceramic artist Peter Lane. 

A second, smaller ceramic wall by Peter Lane in Bar Antoine

Working with a team of artists in his Brooklyn warehouse studio, Lane hand-sculpted 5,000 kilograms (5 tons) of clay into a 7-metre-high (23 foot) ceramic mural, finished with an oxidized verdigris glaze. The highly textured and layered vertical slab starts at Bar Antoine on the lower level and shoots up the atrium to the private dining room upstairs. The large-scale artwork was commissioned by interior-design superstar Chahan Minassian and unveiled at Bar Antoine and Pavyllon London’s opening in 2023. 

Four Seasons Hotel Florence 

The beautifully restored courtyard lobby

It’s truly difficult to separate art from the accommodations at Four Seasons Hotel Florence. Housed in two Renaissance-era buildings nestled within Gherardesca Garden, one of the largest private parks in Florence, the hotel is akin to a living museum. Its seven-year restoration was overseen by Florence’s Superintendent for Artistic and Historical Patrimony, the Ministry for Fine Arts and Culture, and the Department of Fine Arts.   

A gallery suite with original frescoes and paneled ceiling

Aside from meticulous restoration of original architectural details, the hotel has also prioritized period-appropriate artwork. In the courtyard a collection of 16th-century high-relief sculptures by Flemish artist Jan van der Straet, the property’s most valuable artwork, depict a cycle of classical and mythological events, while Baroque art, in the form of frescoes, dominate the highly decorated first-floor suites. Wherever you find yourself in this stunning property, you’ll be immersed in culture and art.  

In Good Taste: One-of-a-Kind Dining Experiences

“Authenticity” is a word that marketers love to bandy about—for good reason. Authenticity is shorthand for something that has real chops, that has integrity, that isn’t manufactured. And nowhere is that more important than in the fine-dining world, where success is impossible without it.  

Fortunately, at Four Seasons, authenticity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a must. Here, we profile three destinations—in Anguilla, Maui, and Tamarindo—that are offering guests culinary experiences that are unique to the place, and personal to the chefs who create them. 

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

Anguilla is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean—and the dining options at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla live up to the island’s reputation. Executive Chef Emmanuel “Manu” Calderon oversees all dining at the destination, infusing each offering with the flavours and traditions of his upbringing and heritage. He grew up in the Yucatán Peninsula—“hungry all the time,” he says—watching his mother and grandmother prepare family meals. At the Resort, his love for the bold flavours of his native country is most evident at Lima-Limon, the Resort’s beachfront Mexican restaurant.  

FS Anguilla, Lima Limon
Shrimp in a fermented red pepper infusion with radish and avocado slices at Lima-Limon.

Set on a terrace overlooking Barnes Bay, Lima-Limon serves up elevated versions of crowd-pleasers like carnitas tacos, street corn, birria-style short rib, and churros. Chef Jorge Lopez De Lira currently helms the restaurant and has imbued the menu with his own take on Mexican cuisine—one that hints at the regional flavours of his hometown of Guadalajara. It’s an authentic dining experience that can only come to pass when the people behind it have spent a lifetime feeding their obsession. 

FS Anguilla, Salt
Sophisticated oceanfront dining at Salt.

Rounding out the Resort’s dining experiences is Salt, the newly renovated signature restaurant that celebrates Anguilla’s deep connection to the sea. Perched over the ocean in an elegant setting, Salt presents refined Caribbean cuisine, highlighting pristine local seafood and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. The refreshed space and menu invite guests to linger over beautifully crafted dishes that feel both elevated and rooted in place—an experience that captures the understated sophistication for which Four Seasons Anguilla is known. 

FS Anguilla, Cafe Nai
Bright and airy Café Nai.

Coffee aficionados, meanwhile, should make sure to stop by Café Nai, the on-site cafe that’s become the island’s go-to spot for a cup of artisanal java, a fresh smoothie, or grab-and-go delights like fresh pastries and creamy gelato.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Hawaii is an incredibly diverse state, with an ethnically Asian majority and 25 percent of the population speaking a language other than English at home. The dining options at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea reflect this multicultural melting pot.

At KOMO, the Resort’s newest addition, extraordinarily fresh sushi—and time-honored Japanese culinary technique—is the main attraction. The über-chic 50-seat restaurant, designed by Atelier Pond, is led by Tokyo-born chef Kiyokuni “Kiyo” Ikeda, who honed his craft at Morimoto. From house-made dashi and custom-blended soy sauce to hand-grated wasabi and premium sake, KOMO’s commitment to authenticity is clear. 

FS Maui KOMO
Chef Kiyo at KOMO’s sushi counter.

For a truly memorable experience, make a reservation at the 14-seat sushi counter and consider ordering the “Mystery Box,” an ever-changing selection of nigiri based on multiple weekly shipments from Tokyo’s famous Toyosu Market. Even Chef Kiyo doesn’t know what will arrive until the boxes are opened, ensuring that no two visits are ever the same as he transforms each surprise delivery into an unforgettable omakase experience.

FS Maui, Ferraro's
Ferraro’s al fresco dining space.

Then there’s Wolfgang Puck’s Spago outpost, which serves up locally inspired fare alongside Spago classics, and Ferraro’s, an open-air oceanfront restaurant that churns out elevated Italian dishes (think fresh seafood and house-made pastas). In addition to serving lunch and dinner, the exceptionally situated Ferraro’s offers a special Golden Hour menu, timed to take advantage of the photo-perfect hours leading up to sunset.

Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo

Discerning travelers who want to get away from it all are making a beeline for Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, in western Mexico’s relatively undiscovered and pristine Costalegre region. One glimpse of the 3,000-acre property, tucked within a secluded nature preserve and ringed by miles of lush jungle that culminates with the blue waters of the Pacific, and you’ll understand the allure. Foodies, in particular, won’t be disappointed. 

FS Tamarindo, Nacho
The “Travel Through Mexico Taco Tasting” experience at Nacho.

Tamarindo has three on-site restaurants, all highlighting Mexican heritage and gastronomy: Nacho, a casual taqueria; Sal, a seafood-focused terrace restaurant overlooking Majahua Beach; and Coyul, created in partnership with Elena Reygadas, who was named World’s Best Female Chef 2023 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Reygadas is the chef-owner of a clutch of world-renowned eateries in Mexico City, including Michelin-starred Rosetta. At Coyul, she’s helped develop a menu that’s an irresistible fusion of Italian and Mexican flavours that emphasize regional ingredients and seasonality. 

FS Tamarindo, coyul
Coyul serves both breakfast and dinner.

Sustainability is a theme that guides the resort’s culinary ethos, with some restaurants sourcing ingredients from Rancho Lola, the Resort’s on-site farm that grows indigenous crops and practices traditional farming methods. At the farm, guests can take a tour (and meet its resident chickens, goats, and pigs); plant a tree; sign up for a cooking class in the open-air kitchen; or enjoy a traditional Mexican breakfast, complete with just-harvested vegetables, fresh tortillas, artisanal Cuyutlán salt, and traditional coffee.  

FS Tamarindo, Rancho Lola
Gather fresh ingredients—eggs, carrots, and honey—at Rancho Lola, then learn how to make carrot cake from scratch.

Tamarindo also offers a host of ways to imbibe the country’s distinctive flavours, including a blind tequila tasting, a margaritas workshop, a Mexican-wine tasting, and a coffee-extraction class that introduces guests to coffee beans from across the country. 

Understated Luxury in Naples, Florida

Fans of Naples, Florida, are lured by its miles-long white-sand beaches, world-class golf courses, and high-end boutiques. And now there’s another reason to put down stakes in the Gulf Coast destination: This year, The Residences at Naples Beach Club will make its grand debut, following last year’s opening of Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort.

The Residences are the result of a collaboration between Four Seasons and Discovery Land Company, a premier global developer known for crafting considered luxury communities. Located in historic Old Naples, close to lively 5th Avenue and 3rd Street, the multi-building beachfront property is expansive (spanning 50 hectares) but feels intimate and community-minded—like an idyllic coastal village—thanks to thoughtful design. 

The Residences at Naples Beach Club
Beach or pool day? Why not both?

“The Residences at Naples Beach Club is setting a superior standard for luxury living and service, not just among Discovery’s diverse portfolio of international clubs, but within the Naples community. As we debut in the region, we’re excited to partner with Four Seasons to enhance both our legacies in offering high-end experiences and moments that last a lifetime,” said Mike Meldman, founder and chairman of Discovery Land Company. 

The new 18-hole golf course at Naples Beach Club.

The offerings consist of 58 Beachside Residences (distributed over three buildings) and 95 Golfside Residences (spread over five buildings). The latter units enjoy sweeping views of The Gardens, a new 18-hole golf course designed by world-renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio. Dense with beautiful lakes, native palms and tropical flora, the course channels a lush Old Florida landscape. Residents will delight in the precision hitting bays, comfort stations with grab-and-go fare, and The Shed, with its wraparound porch, bar and lounge, logo shop, and fire-pit area. 

The Residences at Naples Beach Club
Indoor-outdoor living at its finest.

There will be no shortage of perks and experiences for non-golfers as well. All Residents have access to the beachfront Residents’ Beach Club (with indoor-outdoor dining, member lounge, spa, and fitness center) and Residents’ Beach House (featuring adult and family pools, a beachside concierge, and coastal cuisine offerings). And, of course, Residents will be able to avail themselves of the full spread of amenities at the Resort itself, among them six tennis courts; a standalone two-story, 2,800-square-metre spa that houses treatment rooms as well as Finnish saunas, vitality pools, cold plunge zones, experiential showers, and a rooftop pool; and five restaurants, including The Merchant Room (helmed by two-time James Beard Award-winner Gavin Kaysen), HB’s (for fresh regional seafood), and Sunset Bar (with a Latin-inspired cocktail and bites menu). The latter two are the only places to offer beachfront dining in all of Old Naples.

And then there is the Market Square, a cluster of retail, dining, and entertainment options designed to be a buzzy social hub for guests, Residents, and locals alike. Naples Trading Company, a coffee shop with sundries, beer and wine, and gifts, recently opened its doors at The Square. Currently under development are The Wager, a family-friendly sports gastro-pub (complete with game room and four bowling lanes), and a state-of-the-art movie theatre that will show first-run movies. 

The Residences at Naples Beach Club
Front-row seats to sand and surf.

The Residences at Naples Beach Club ushers in a new era of Gulf Coast luxury living. To learn more about the modern homes, click here

Travel Trends: 5 Hot Destinations for 2026

The travel industry pros are starting to make their predictions for the year ahead, and, as expected, we’re seeing a wide range of opinions. European destinations are on the rise. So are African safaris. Interest in luxury tours by train is ticking up. Likewise for luxury yacht cruises (in 2026, the highly anticipated Four Seasons Yachts launches). Ahead-of-the-curve jet-setters will be flocking to Svalbard, Norway. Or maybe it’s New Zealand.  

The one trend that the experts seem to agree on? Increasingly, travellers are yearning for experiences—trips that have visitors meeting locals, learning new skills, and soaking up new cultures. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up five classic, and increasingly popular, destinations that have a lot more to offer than just lounging by the pool (though, that’s also a welcome option, of course). 

Lisbon 

Four Seasons Lisbon Sidecar
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon offers a Sidecar Tour through the city’s narrow streets.

If you feel like everyone you know has been posting vacation photos from Portugal as of late, it’s not your imagination. According to USA Today, Booking.com data showed higher year-over-year flight searches for Portugal across every month in 2025. Roughly the size of Maine, the country has something for everyone: beaches, mountains, wineries, and eminently walkable cities. 

The most popular destination in Portugal is arguably Lisbon, a city steeped in history (it’s older than Rome!) and bathed in sunlight (it’s one of the sunniest places in southern Europe). There’s no shortage of cultural sightseeing to be had here, but the capital city is not just for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.  

Those who enjoy staying active on vacations, take note: the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is slated for March 8, 2026, and the EDP Lisbon Marathon, billed as “probably the most beautiful in the world,” will be held in October. Another event to bookmark for next year: the Lisbon Tango Festival in June, which offers five days of tango dancing, including performances, classes, and dance parties. 

Four Seasons Lisbon Varanda Restaurant
The Varanda Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon.

STAY AT: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon. Centrally located and packed with amenities (including a rooftop outdoor running track), the hotel is a plush home base for exploring both the city and the surrounding vineyards and villages.  

SIGN UP FOR: a Sidecar Tour and see Lisbon up close and personal from a vintage motorcycle driven by a private tour guide. Or consider the Sintra and Cascais Tour, a daylong excursion that hits the historical palaces at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra, as well as the seaside resort town of Cascais. 

Hoi An 

Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An’s Ancient Town.

Another country enjoying a steep rise in tourism: Vietnam. According to Bloomberg, it’s now the third most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia (behind Thailand and Malaysia). Long, narrow, and S-shaped, the country is bordered by China to the north, Cambodia and Laos to the west, and the South China Sea to the east; driving the length of it takes at least a week. Our recommendation: Head to Hoi An, the “city of lanterns” on the central coast, where you’ll be able to sample a little of everything—quiet countryside, the meandering Thu Bon River, and a picturesque beach, to boot. 

Hoi An is famous for its Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where visitors will encounter a unique blend of centuries-old Chinese, Japanese, and French architecture set along the Thu Bon River. On the 14th of every month (when the moon is full), the neighbourhood turns off its electric streetlights in favour of colourful lanterns, creating a jaw-droppingly beautiful nightscape. For a dose of good luck, send a floating candlelit lantern down the river.  

Four Seasons Hoi An
A recently renovated villa at Four Seasons The Nam Hai.

STAY AT: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam. The quiet beachfront property is an ideal location from which to explore nearby landmarks (including three UNESCO World Heritage sites). 

SIGN UP FOR: one (or all) of the many cool cultural immersion options offered by the resort. Our pick: The Wet Rice Farm Culture experience, in which guests bike to nearby rice paddies, enjoy tea with a farmer, learn rice cultivation, and end with a meal with the farmer’s family. (And don’t forget to take advantage of the complimentary Vietnamese Coffee Tasting on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m.) 

Tokyo 

Tokyo
The neon lightscape in Tokyo is unparalleled.

Japan shares the top spot with Vietnam for the highest tourism growth rate in the first half of 2025 (a whopping 21 percent increase in international travellers compared to the previous year, according to the World Tourism Barometer, published by UN Tourism). And the most visited destination in Japan? Tokyo, of course.  

Often cited as the most populous city in the world, Tokyo is nothing if not bustling. Visitors won’t lack for things to do in this metropolis that exquisitely mixes the futuristic with the ancient. Whatever you’re interested in, there’s probably a market, festival, or celebration devoted to it. A few particularly unique events to bookmark for your trip to Tokyo in 2026: the January, May, and September Grand Sumo Tournaments; various cherry blossom festivals in late March to early April; and the Sanno Matsuri, a days-long, mid-June festival, held only on even-numbered years, that showcases traditional Japanese music, dance, and drum performances, prayer ceremonies, and a Shinto ritual parade. 

Otemachi Room
All guest rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi enjoy incredible city views.

STAY AT: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi. Perched on the top floors of a 39-story high-rise in the financial district, the hotel is located right next to the Imperial Palace. (Reservations at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi are currently unavailable, as it is undergoing renovations; it’s set to reopen in the spring of 2026.) 

SIGN UP FOR: the Suibokuga class to try the art of Japanese ink wash painting or the Kodo workshop to learn the art of incense appreciation. First time in Tokyo? Consider joining the hotel’s Tokyo Essentials guided tour of the city’s landmarks and neighbourhoods. 

Milan 

Piazza del Duomo in Milan
The Piazza del Duomo in Milan.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be held at multiple locations in Northern Italy in February, including Milan—which means that all eyes will soon be trained on the unofficial design and fashion capital of the world. This is good news for anyone hoping to visit Milan next year, as it will be dressed to the nines and more than ready to play host. 

Other much-anticipated events include Design Week in April (composed of the renowned furniture fair Salon Internazionale del Mobile and Fuorisalone, a series of design-focused exhibitions and happenings throughout the city) and the thrilling Italian Grand Prix in Monza, in September. But you don’t need a tentpole event to visit—with its alluring triumvirate of fashion, food, and frescoes, Milan is truly wonderful any time of the year.  

Four Seasons Milan Room
A Premium Room at Four Seasons Hotel Milano.

STAY AT: Four Seasons Hotel Milano. The 15thcentury convent turned luxury hotel is located in the heart of the Fashion District, just steps from the Duomo di Milano, the iconic and intricately designed Gothic cathedral that took nearly 600 years to build. 

SIGN UP FOR: day trips to Lake Como, Courmayeur Mont Blanc, and the Franciacorta vineyards for some Northern Italian fresh air. And if it’s more of Milan you want, you’re in luck—the hotel offers walking tours, after-hour museum visits, private shopping excursions, and more.  

Sydney 

Sydney's Bondi Beach
Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Condé Nast Traveller UK’s Readers’ Choice Awards named Sydney “Best City in the World” last year, citing the “indoor-outdoor way of life the Aussies embrace so well” as the reason it’s so beloved by visitors. (Where were Paris, Tokyo, and New York, you ask? In the No. 6, No. 12, and No. 20 spots, respectively.)  

The best way to have an authentic Aussie experience: get outside. In Sydney, that means heading to the beach (there are more than 100 to choose from, including famous Bondi Beach, where you can learn to surf), cruising Sydney Harbour (home to two world-renowned feats of engineering, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge), strolling the 74-acre Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, or bushwalking nearby Blue Mountains. 

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney Harbour Studio Club Suite
The Sydney Harbour Studio Club Suite at Four Seasons.

STAY AT: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. The property not only has epic views of Sydney Harbour, but also is just steps from the Rocks, Sydney’s must-visit oldest neighbourhood. 

SIGN UP FOR: the Outback Opal Mine Adventure and tour the region’s oldest opal mines with the stars of the hit reality TV show Outback Opal Hunters. Who knows? You may get lucky and strike opal. 

Out on the Blue: 6 Cool Boating Experiences at Four Seasons

Usually things go awry when the wheels come off—but on the water, that’s a good thing. Whether it’s an old-school wooden boat for two or a state-of-the-art yacht with plush accommodations, Four Seasons offers on-the-water experiences that you won’t soon forget. Here’s a small sampling.

A Floating Resort

Four Seasons Palau Explorer

Four Seasons Explorer, Palau: There is simply no better way to experience the Micronesian island nation of Palau: Explore UNESCO World Heritage islands and stunning lagoons while spending nights aboard this intimate ship, home to 10 elegant staterooms and the luxurious Explorer Suite.

Ideal for: Those who love the outdoors and water sports as much as they love AC and high thread count.

Romance on the River

Four Seasons Prague Boat

Four Seasons Hotel Prague: The Vltava River flows through the heart of the Czech Republic’s capital, making a private boat ride—especially on a charming wooden vessel captained by a guide carrying Prosseco or mulled wine and hot chocolate, depending on the weather—an ideal way to experience the city’s most romantic landmarks in unforgettable style.

Ideal for: Couples looking for a guided experience without the tour group.

From Air to Water

Four Seasons Bora Bora Boat

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora: All arriving guests are escorted from the local airport directly to an awaiting 1920s-inspired Andreyale for a breathtaking 15-minute transfer to the resort. The 39-foot yacht can also be booked for sunset cruises.

Ideal for: Guests who are eager to be up close with Tahiti’s legendary turquoise waters after a long day of travel.

Multigenerational Adventures

Four Seasons Hualalai Boat

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai: Guests visiting the Big Island and seeking fun for the whole family will want to consider chartering Alaka’i Nui, the resort’s 46-foot luxury catamaran. Customizable experiences include beach-hopping voyages and whale-watching tours.

Ideal for: Groups with a range of interests and abilities. Guests can participate in water activities, like snorkeling or deep-sea fishing, or simply relax on the boat.

A Retro Rental

Four Seasons Austin Boat

Four Seasons Hotel Austin: A trip to Texas Hill Country wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the many lakes in the region. In Austin, guests can rent a vintage-style electric boat, in retro colours like mint green and bubblegum pink, to cruise Lady Bird Lake. Cooler and Bluetooth speaker included.

Ideal for: Fun seekers and vibe chasers. (To captain, guests must be at least 21 years old.)

Catch of the Day

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas: Top skiers know to head to Whistler for epic slopes; deep-sea fishing enthusiasts know to make a pilgrimage to Los Cabos for some of the world’s best salt-water angling. Hop onboard a 17-metre yacht for an unforgettable guided day of fishing; all equipment is included.

Ideal for: Anglers who love the adrenaline rush of big-game fishing.